JMMB Group Hosts Parenting Seminar as part of Child’s Month Celebrations
Give your children adequate T.L.C., as a protective measure, was the encouragement shared by substance abuse officer, Denise Chin, of the National Council on Drug Abuse, during the recent parenting seminar organized by the JMMB Group, for team members with children at its nursery facility, on the topic, ‘Bullying, Peer Pressure & Drug Abuse in Schools.’
In further explaining the acronym T.L.C., she outlined that parents should talk to and with their children, listen keenly and show care and unconditional love. She underscored the need to keep the lines of communication open and develop a relationship with children, by listening attentively and without judgment. This encourages children to share their feelings freely, including any challenges they may face such as: peer pressure; bullying; and exposure to drugs. The substance abuse officer, reminded parents “It is never too early to speak to and with your children about the use of drugs and (negative) peer pressure and its debilitating impact.”
She further emphasized the value of tuning out distractions and giving your children undivided attention; as this, she notes, can help parents to uncover ‘unexpressed’ issues, that children are experiencing, or any concerning behaviours that children could be exposed to. Adding that parents need to engage their children by, “taking the time to get to know their children’s friends (and) showing an interest in the things that they are involved in,” as this helps to build a close-knit relationship.
“Show unconditional care for your children, when discussing drug use and peer pressure, using a non-threatening approach, while being clear on your stance about its use,” was the advice shared by Chin, during her presentation.
In her parting words of encouragement, she also reassured parents, “don’t give up…ride the tide, even if you feel that you are not getting through to your children, when you try to steer them away from drug abuse. Keep trying.”
Patrick Beech, network officer at JMMB and father of 2-year old, Ariana, welcomed the seminar, describing it as “a useful and relevant reminder that heightened his awareness of his role and the need to be keep up with the varying trends, as his daughter gets older. I am mindful especially of social media; in the technological age, as this medium promotes anti-social behavior, and makes drug and other abuse more accessible.”
The seminar, which took place recently (May 22), was a part of the JMMB Group’s calendar of activities organized, by the JMMB nursery team, to celebrate May, as Child’s Month, under the theme, “Encourage, Enable and Include Me”. Other activities organized as part of the month, for the children attending the JMMB Group New Kingston-based nursery facility, included: puppet show; sign language; career day; field trip; mini fun day; breakfast and devotions. The children also participated in a motivational session with the robotic superhero, Captain I-Can and his sidekick, Mrs. Sonshine. The interactive session encouraged the children to tap into their potential for greatness and to treat each other with love and respect.
Elaine Evans, senior care giver at the JMMB nursery facility, shares that Child’s Month is a special time to celebrate our children and gives us an opportunity to engage them in more deliberate ways, with the array of activities, to complement the regular activities provided at the JMMB nursery facility.