By THE OBSERVER UG
Safeguarding parenting and family values could serve as both a short-term and long-term solution to many emerging societal challenges and breakdowns, stated Martin Kiiza, the executive director of the National Children’s Authority (NCA).
While launching the second edition of the Baby and Kids Expo at Kati Kati Bar and Restaurant last week, where he presided as chief guest, Kiiza emphasized the importance of guarding the family jealously, as it forms the foundation of human progress. Wrongful parenting, he noted, can easily lead to violence, child neglect, and abandonment, among other societal issues.
“This means we need to fully appreciate the child as a holistic human being and protect that child. We shouldn’t take the family for granted,” stressed Kiiza, highlighting that everything begins in the family and should be respected as the cornerstone of human progress.
Joweria Nabuuma, the managing director of Kiara Events Limited, organizers of the Baby and Kids Expo, stated their aim to bring together children, parents, and stakeholders to discuss children’s well-being and development. This year’s expo is scheduled to run from May 10 to 12, 2024, at the UMA Show Grounds in Kampala.
“This annual event celebrates children’s wellness and joy, focusing on education, innovation, and entertainment. It provides a platform for families, experts, and exhibitors to explore the latest trends in parenting, child development, and early childhood education,” said Nabuuma.
“This year, we aim to elevate the experience for our attendees, providing a platform for families to connect, learn, and play together in a way that’s both educational and fun. With an increasing demand for baby and child-related products across the region, the expo also serves as a crucial platform for exhibitors to interact directly with their audience, offering insights and special deals on a plethora of products for babies, kids, and expectant mothers.”
Gloria Aminat Aketch, founder of the Mental Health Wellness Project Bora Minds Foundation, highlighted the negative impact stress can have on a parent’s physical and mental health, especially as they navigate the limitations of the mental health treatment system. She noted that more parents are experiencing mental health challenges than is commonly realized, often not recognizing the decline in their mental health until it significantly affects them.
Furthermore, mental health care professionals advocate for parents to engage in evidence-based therapies aimed at addressing their child’s mental health. This would allow them to adequately address any anxiety and stress exhibited by the parent, who plays a crucial role as the caregiver.
For instance, parent-child interaction therapy teaches parents how to manage their young child’s behavior to prevent the development of more serious issues in the future. However, while this therapy may benefit the child, it often does not directly support the parent’s mental health. Therefore, parents need to be intentional about addressing their mental health situation.
Aketch emphasized that it becomes increasingly challenging for parents to prevent their child’s condition from worsening when their own physical and mental health deteriorates. Hence, parents should be concerned, as they are their child’s most valuable resource.
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