12 September 2009 marked the conclusion of the 4-session Parenting Talk organized by City Harvest Children’s Church and Fei Yue Community Services. The class was made up of parents and children from Mandarin-speaking families.
The success of the sessions was seen, in that the parents were actively asking questions and sharing with the class about their parenting experiences. The trainer, Du Meiqin, 45, who is a mother, was quick in responding to the queries. Many of the parents found themselves learning how to to better handle daily situations at home.
The very last session dealt with the issue of discipline and punishment. Du emphasized that physical (corporal) punishment should only be used as a last resort and explained the proper way of carrying it out. She also reiterated that before resorting to physical punishment, parents should have exhausted all other methods of discipline. Du stressed on the importance of parents to be role models, setting examples for the child. In addition, it is imperative that parents do exactly what they have said, so as not to leave any room for second-guessing. For example, parents should not threaten to throw away the child’s much-loved PSP if they really do not mean it.
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| PHOTOS: Lam Hui Ching |
And as a child grow, there is a need for parents to be a listening ear to them. Du, whose daughter is now 17, found the 4-part sessions with the parents very engaging and fulfilling as she saw how they took steps to practice what they have learned at home. The relatively small class size also allowed for greater interaction. When asked on her motivation as a parenting trainer, she reveals that it was due to her previous interaction with young prison inmates that made her realized how dysfunctional families are a major cause of waywardness. Hence, in her job, she aims to help educate parents to play a pivotal role in raising their children.
Xie Mujiao, 41, parent of two, found herself learning many valuable lessons and added that she looks forward to having more of such parenting sessions.
