In today’s fast-paced world, it is easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life, and lose sight of intentional parenting. Intentional parenting is a deep-work or commitment to mould and guide the children as they grow up. It is far more than the status of being a biological father/mother, or a figure head. Intentional parenting should not be outsourced or delegated to grannies, maids, or others. Thus, it is necessary to be intentional in the training of the children in order to achieve mentally strong minds among others benefits. Do note that a parent can have a fulfilled career life, but failed parenting because he or she was so busy with work, looking for money to a fault.
A handful of factors that contribute to the development of a child is the neighborhood they grow up in, media (traditional or new), society/country, extended family, religious sect, school etc. However, parents remain the first caregivers in the moulding of the destiny of the kids. Intentional parenting lies in the ability to be physically available and strategically guiding the thinking pattern, daily activities, and character shaping . It also extends to talent discovery, understanding of their individual temperaments, discovery of talents and their development. Intentional parenting gives opportunity to enter into a child’s world to interact, instruct and correct. Perhaps, such a process could help avoid bad history to repeat itself because it helps parents to role-play and make efforts to avoid character flaws, unhealthy traits or wrong decisions they fell victim to or such the kids could fall into without proper guidance. Imagine, parents as their kids’ first cheerleader and also offering morale support in their spiritual, mental or physical growth, choices in studies, career, and even marital choice or influence. Intentional parenting helps some kids to boldly announce their parents as their mentor, life coach or role models. The value from intentional parenting is priceless!
Based on the Theory of Tabula Rasa proposed by John Locke, which posits that; “the Human mind is born as a blank slate (tabula Rasa).” More reason, there are adages like; “like father, like son”, or “like mother, like daughter” because the parents are invisible pen that writes on the blank slate/mind of their children/wards. Intentional parenting fosters deeper connections with the children, improves communication affirmatively and promotes all avenues for healthy development like how to respect people, collaborate, learn resilience, etiquette etc
In this digital age, no kid should be left to grow on autopilot or without the influence of their parents or parent figures, knowing fully well that no child is born good until good ideas are taught and enshrined in them. One of the best parts about intentional parenting is that the parents get to decide what is important to them and what works for their family. Parents decide ideas that are meaningful to them and focus their energies on such like family celebrations and prayers, cultural heritage, travelling together , dressing codes, guide on choice of friends, career, crafts or traditionals to sustain.
Every day is a new parenting experience and each child and season in life brings it’s unique parenting needs. In practice, intentional parenting produces a legacy of holistically nurtured kids. It does not truncate the fun of growing up for them, rather it leads to fulfilment in parenting . It reflects sincerity of purpose and tangible efforts that could lead to the children’s steady growth. Nonchalant attitude in parenting won’t lead to intentional parenting. Thinking or saying; “what will be, will be” is an unhealthy and lazy attitude towards the building of the minds of the children. In the long run, Intentional parenting nurtures good morals, sound minds, law abiding, patriotic citizens, trail-blazers and global champions.
Education should begin from home and that is the first classroom for any child. Parents should recognise that they, not someone else, must take responsibility and keep trying to be committed to ensure that their children are well trained. Intentional parenting could collaborate with other stakeholders like Mind Builders School in further enhancing quality educational development of their children .
As we navigate the complexities of parenting, intentional parenting is an investment in our children’s future, our communities and our world. By being purposeful and present, we can raise a generation of leaders, innovators, and changmakers.
– Isaac K. Obajemu
08065359086
ikobaj@gmail.com
