A push towards positive parenting
Engaging young volunteers in learning and spreading the message of effective parenting
“I frequently see parents comparing their children with others in the hopes of motivating them, but that often backfires in the form of negative impact on the child’s mental health.”
That is 23-year-old Maryada Neupane from Rupandehi District, sharing her views on the need for positive communication between parents and children.
“We need to realize that every child is special and has their own unique ability and strength,” she said. “If I were a parent, I would want to validate my child’s feelings and build their self-esteem.”
Maryada was among nearly 100 young UNICEF volunteers who took part in a series of webinars on effective parenting that UNICEF organized in early June. Since 2018, UNICEF has been marking June as Parenting Month, celebrating the essential role parents play in raising happy, healthy, hopeful children.
In line with this, the three-day webinars aimed to equip the volunteers with key information on positive communication, parenting styles and behavior, expanding their awareness of what it means to be an effective, nurturing caregiver.
The sessions, facilitated by UNICEF’s parenting education consultant Risohani Shrestha, were designed to be interactive, with participants reflecting on their own experiences and memories related to parenting.
In addition, the volunteers were also encouraged to share these messages and information via their own social media channels, to increase public knowledge and awareness about positive parenting. This resulted in a variety of posts that touched upon different aspects of parenting under the hashtag #EarlyMomentsMatter.
“Your family is a crucial part of your life,” said 28-year-old Shanken Rai from Kathmandu during one of the sessions. “If your parents and family do not acknowledge your success, or comfort you during your failures, then you are not encouraged or motivated to put in the effort.”
Such reflections, according to Risohani, are crucial in building knowledge, skills and empathy among young people, improving their relationships with their own parents as well as preparing them for future parenthood.
“This is how we can ultimately break negative cycles and foster supportive environments where children can thrive,” she says.
In collaboration with Seto Gurans National Child Development Service, UNICEF has also supported the Government of Nepal’s Department of Education in developing reference materials for parenting education facilitators. UNICEF Nepal has also established a dedicated Parenting Web Portal, providing a wealth of information and articles on child development.
