Watoto wetu wako likizo. Milango ya shule imefungwa, ratiba za kila siku zimebadilika, na nyumbani kuna muda mwingi zaidi wa pamoja. Katika kipindi hiki, ni rahisi sana sisi kama wazazi kuruhusu simu na runinga kuchukua nafasi kubwa ya siku hasa tunapojaribu kupumzika au kutekeleza majukumu mengine ya maisha.

Kipindi cha likizo na sikukuu huwa na mvuto wake wenyewe: vicheko, harufu za chakula, pilikapilika za wageni, na watoto kukimbizana kila upande. Ni msimu unaojaza nyumba furaha hadi pale tunaposikia. “Mama! Amenichukulia kitu changu!” “Baba! Amenisukuma!”

Have you ever received a call saying your child was involved in a conflict at school and your heart jumped to your child's defense before you even heard the other side of the story?

Research shows that when children learn how to handle bullying early, they build resilience, an inner strength that helps them throughout their lives. Experts like Dr. Dan Siegel explain that when we teach children how to protect themselves emotionally and logically, we help strengthen the part of their brain that supports confidence, self-control, and decision-making.

Tunapobaki watulivu, watoto wetu huanza kutulia. Tunapowapa matumaini, mioyo yao huanza kupona. Na tunapowaonyesha upendo, wanajifunza kwamba hata baada ya maumivu, dunia bado ni mahali salama.

There comes a day in every parent’s life filled with mixed emotions the day our daughter gets her first period. For her, it is a sign of growth and change; for us, it is a reminder that she is stepping into a new stage of life. This moment can arrive suddenly, carrying excitement, curiosity, and sometimes fear. Yet too often, it is surrounded by silence or shame. That is where our role as parents comes in: to make it an ordinary, dignified moment not one of shock or embarrass

Starting a new school is always a big deal for our children, no matter their age. It can be exciting, but it can also feel scary, new classrooms, new teachers, new routines, and a sea of unfamiliar faces. As parents, our role is to make that change feel less overwhelming and more like an adventure.

Mara nyingi tunasema kwamba watoto ni waigizaji wazuri lakini je, tumewahi kufikiria wanachoiga ni nini?

Tunapochagua kupiga au kufoka, mara nyingi wanajifunza kwamba matatizo hutatuliwa kwa nguvu na mabavu.

Kwa mujibu wa Shirika la Afya Duniani (WHO), lishe bora katika utoto wa awali hupunguza hatari ya utapiamlo, unene uliopitiliza, na magonjwa yasiyoambukiza kama kisukari baadaye maishani.

Tafiti zinaonesha kuwa watoto wanaotumia muda mwingi kutazama filamu na muziki bila usimamizi huanza kuonesha mabadiliko ya tabia: hukasirika kwa haraka, huiga lugha zisizofaa, au hukosa huruma kwa wengine.

Kuna fursa nyingi za kuwafundisha watoto kuhusu pesa katika maisha ya kila siku. Huhitaji kuwa na elimu ya kifedha au programu maalum.

Je, tunawalea watoto wetu kwa namna itakayowawezesha kuilinda dunia yao?

Mtoto kwa mzazi hakui, hata akiwa na mji wake na watoto wake.

Wazazi wa kizazi hiki, tunakabiliwa na changamoto mpya hasa uwanda mpana wa upatikanaji wa taarifa zenye mkanganyiko juu ya masuala la baleghe na mambo mengine ya afya ya uzazi kwa watoto wetu.

Je, kuwa mzazi katika ulimwengu wa leo ni kazi ngumu zaidi kuliko ilivyokuwa zamani?

Kukosa usingizi kwa watoto wenye umri wa mwaka mmoja (1) hadi mitatu (3) ni jambo la kawaida kabisa na siyo kosa lako na hata si kosa la mtoto.

Juzi kati tulikuwa na maongezi na Bw. Siegfried Mbuya, mwanasaikolojia na mtaalamu wa makuzi na maendeleo ya awali ya mtoto juu ya mustakabali wa malezi na mahusiano ya watoto na wazazi.

Je, tunapaswa kuwasaidia kwa kiwango gani? Au tuwaachie uhuru wa kujifunza wenyewe? 

lugha tano za upendo ambazo ni mguso wa mwili, maneno ya kuhimiza, muda wa pamoja, zawadi, na vitendo vya huduma...