Thirty parents of Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), are now certified and equipped with essential skills to improve their parenting, after successfully completing the “Honing of Parenting Skills” (HOPS) training which commenced last month and featured approximately 12 sessions based on improving parenting skills.
Parents who participated were awarded certificates, and the response from parents was reportedly excellent.
Held under the theme “Be the model parent for your children to become”, the
Some of the parents who participated in the HOPS programme
project was organised in collaboration with the Social Protection Ministry’s Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF Guyana). It recently wrapped up with a graduation exercise hosted at the Egbert Benjamin Conference Centre in Linden.
Coordinator/Facilitator of the training, Debbie Hopkinson, explained that the first phase of the exercise was birthed through a presentation she had made at the CPA’s annual conference last year.
“My thesis was based on “How are parenting styles of Guyanese parents affecting wayward and wandering behaviours in our children”. So, as a result of that presentation, we recognised that our parents need to be educated on how they can hone their skills…,” she explained.
Hopkinson further noted that organisers will now work along with parents to form community parenting groups, or to ensure that they join already existing groups, as she emphasised the importance of parents having support networks.
Hopkinson has said that since children can be considered products of their environment, parents need the right techniques to parent effectively. As such, she said, another aim of the project was to deliver effective parenting techniques.
Some of the issues dealt with were anger control, dealing with a pregnant teenager, dealing with foster children, and children engaged in the abuse of illicit drugs.
The prime focus of the training also dealt with disrespect coming from children, social media and its influences, understanding the gaps that exist between a parent and child, and dealing with stages of development.
Hopkinson has further said that while the programme dealt with a variety of issues, it also honed in on those which are unique to parents and children in the Linden community.
“Parents had a lot of questions. We tried as much as possible to share experiences with them; to give information, to do activities, role plays, and give them techniques that they can now go forth with”, she noted.
In her closing remarks at the graduation exercise, Hopkinson said it was a privilege to have conducted the exercise in Linden. She cited the commitment of parents who participated, and advised: “Don’t consider this as completion, but…as one step closer to becoming the parent that you envision yourself to be — the kind of parents that will model the behaviours for your children to follow… You cannot be what you do not want your children to be,” she said.
Hopkinson added that while children have rights and responsibilities, parents should also be aware of theirs. Thus she charged parents to continue to reach out for guidance.
In delivering the keynote address, Reverend Richard McDonald emphasised the need for parents to be there at every stage of their children’s development, and to be actively involved in their children’s lives.
The second phase of the project will be held in Bartica, Region Seven; and it is expected to benefit another thirty parents.
