IT'S MY CHILD!!! - by Samuel Ibok

Childrennnnnnnn! Little amazing creatures. I often jokingly state that children look edible! Particularly newborns. I mean, looking at them or holding them is in many regards therapeutic. If you're a Christian in Nigeria and you've been on earth for a while, you'd probably recall that very beautiful CHILD that members of your local assembly always carried. Yeah, I think I was one of those babies. Man was fine like that. Don't judge! Parents would legit do anything to protect their youngsters. They don't mind going broke just to give them the life they as parents never had. Shout out to all the parents doing their best—God bless. Some child dedication/child naming ceremonies are a big deal to parents. You'd be wondering if it was a king's birthday or something. Fast forward to a few years later, these same parents would take crazy measures to teach their kids discipline. Mehnnn, sometimes, it's difficult to tell if it's discipline or straight-up wickedness. A lot of parents go King Kong on their kids to a point where these kids are scarred for life. If you suggest that they take it easy, they would say, "it's my child" or "I don't want to spoil my child." They do this under the guise of "spare the rod and spoil the child." You still spoil the child's chances of having a decent life when you use the rod on a child... These same parents can sue a school if they punish their child. Such hypocrisy! Funny thing is, I don't have a memory of my parents ever FLOGGING my older brother. Well, my case was different because I was different! I was called JUNIOR, and children who bear that name in Nigeria are normally stubborn. I don't think I would have raised me without occasionally FLOGGING me! We both turned out well in the end. On a serious note, now that I'm grown, I often think about how unclear the divide between corporal punishment and child abuse is. At what point do we cross the line? I think it's high time people understand that CHILDREN HAVE RIGHTS. Again, CHILDREN HAVE RIGHTS. These rights must be protected. For those who have forgotten, child abuse refers to actions of commission and omission by parents and caregivers that result in actual or threatened harm to a child. In addition to recognizing the rights of children, it's essential to explore positive discipline methods that foster respect and understanding. Effective discipline involves setting clear boundaries and consequences while also providing love and support. Techniques such as time-outs, loss of privileges, and positive reinforcement can be more beneficial and less harmful than physical punishment. By focusing on communication and teaching problem-solving skills, parents can guide their children towards better behavior without causing lasting psychological harm. It's about creating a safe and nurturing environment where children can grow and learn from their mistakes, knowing they are valued and respected.EVERY CHILD MATTERSLearn Unlearn Relearn

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