Unleashing the power of parental love
UNICEF supports parenting skills programme to strengthen caregivers' mental health and empower them to raise their children effectively.
Katana city, Rural Damascus, Syria: “I was impatient with my children. I used to lose my temper easily, especially with Maya,” said Samia, the mother of 3; Maya 7-year-old; Ahmad 4-year-old and Tala is 9- year-old, who faces challenges with intellectual disabilities and speech difficulties.
"I wasn’t able to chat with my children. I was exhausted and mentally absent."
Samia and her family live in Katana city, in Rural Damascus. She works tirelessly to support her husband and provide additional income. Together, they strive to secure financial stability for their children amidst rising living costs. Samia started by selling women’s clothes online and later expanded her business by manufacturing and selling detergents to local shops in her city.
Balancing two home-based jobs, caring for her three children—especially Tala, who requires extra attention—and managing daily household chores placed immense pressure on Samia. "I wasn’t able to chat with my children. I was exhausted and mentally absent," she reflects on her mental and emotional state.
"I wasn’t confident I would benefit from these sessions, but I wanted to meet other parents and hear from them."
Tala attended a learning centre in Katana dedicated to children with disabilities and learning challenges. In May 2024, a UNICEF-supported child protection mobile team visited the center, inviting Samia and other caregivers to participate in parenting skills sessions to enhance their parenting abilities.
"I wasn’t confident I would benefit from these sessions, but I wanted to meet other parents and hear from them," Samia says about her initial expectations upon receiving the invitation.
UNICEF-supported parenting sessions teach caregivers to manage stress, learn strategies for positive discipline, and support their children's growth and development. These sessions also guide caregivers on how to effectively raise children with disabilities, equipping them with the necessary skills to meet their children's needs.
"I felt relieved to know that I am not struggling alone. Many of the attendees have the same problems I have,"
"The sessions were very helpful. Instructors talked about the real challenges we face every day in raising our children," Samia shares after completing the sessions. "Parents shared their experiences, which was interesting for me. I was keen to listen to other mothers’ stories. I felt relieved to know that I am not struggling alone. Many of the attendees have the same problems I have," she adds.
Through the sessions, Samia learned to allocate time for self-care, including connecting with friends, exercising, and eating healthily. She also acquired breathing techniques to manage anxiety and remain calm with her children. Additionally, Samia received individual support, allowing her to ask questions privately.
"I realized that Tala was receiving all my care and attention, while Maya felt neglected. I learned how to care for both of them equally. I am proud to say I am now Maya’s best friend!"
"I wasn’t satisfied with the troubled relationship with my daughter Maya. When I discussed this with the instructor, I realized that Tala was receiving all my care and attention, while Maya felt neglected. I learned how to care for both of them equally. I am proud to say I am now Maya’s best friend!" Samia says.
With her husband's support, Samia became more organized. She learned to prioritize her children and dedicate quality time to each child fairly. "Thanks to the support I received, I feel deeply connected to my children. I know how to communicate with them, solve their problems, and ensure they are heard," Samia concludes.
From January 2023 to June 2024, more than 91,000 parents in Syria benefited from UNICEF-supported parenting skills sessions, and nearly 215,000 boys and girls received mental health and psychosocial support.
The activities were funded by the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance; the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development through the KFW Development Bank; the Governments of Australia, Canada, Italy, Japan, Switzerland, Norway and New Zealand; the Global Humanitarian Thematic Fund; the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency; the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office; UNICEF National Committees for Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Japan, and United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Singapore; UNICEF Egypt; the Republic of Korea; and United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund.
