Before you judge another parent, remember this

EVERY parent dream of raising a child who is responsible, respectful, hard-working and successful.

From the day a child is born, parents dedicate their lives to providing love, protection, education and guidance. They work tirelessly to pay school fees, provide food and clothing, teach good morals and instil values such as honesty, respect, discipline and kindness. Many also ensure that their children attend church or participate in activities that build strong character.

However, one of the most difficult realities of parenting is that, despite doing everything possible, a child can suddenly change. A once obedient child may become rebellious. A child who was focused on school may lose interest in education. Some begin keeping the wrong company, experimenting with alcohol or drugs, disrespecting parents or refusing to listen to advice. Others may become involved in early sexual relationships, resulting in teenage pregnancy or fatherhood. Some even stop attending church or abandon the values they were raised with.

These situations are heart-breaking for parents because they often happen unexpectedly. In many cases, such changes occur during adolescence, a stage of life marked by rapid physical, emotional, social, and psychological development. Teenagers begin searching for their identity, seeking independence and becoming more influenced by peers than ever before.

If they are not guided carefully, they can easily make poor decisions that affect their future.

As parents, we must remain humble. We should never boast that we have successfully raised our children or assume that our children can never go astray.

Parenting is a lifelong journey and every stage presents new challenges. A child, who appears well-behaved today may face different pressures tomorrow. Life has a way of reminding us that no family is immune to challenges.

Likewise, we should never judge parents whose children are facing difficulties. It is easy to criticise from a distance without understanding the battles another family is fighting. No parent intentionally raises a rebellious or delinquent child. Every mother and father desire the very best for their children. When a child goes off track, parents often experience deep pain, disappointment, sleepless nights and self-doubt. Instead of condemning them, we should encourage, support and pray with them.

Modern society presents many challenges for young people. Social media, negative peer pressure, substance abuse, harmful online content and declining moral values all compete for the attention of our children. Even children from loving and stable homes are not exempt from these influences. This is why parenting today requires constant communication, guidance, supervision and unconditional love.

Parents should continue talking openly with their children, listening without rushing to judge, setting clear boundaries and becoming positive role models. Children learn more from what they observe than from what they are told. A home filled with love, respect, forgiveness and consistency provides a strong foundation, even though it does not guarantee a life free from challenges.

Above all, we must continue praying for our children. Prayer remains one of the greatest gifts a parent can offer. Pray for their wisdom, protection, friendships, decisions, education, health and future families. Pray that they will develop good character, resist temptation and remain faithful to the values they have been taught. At the same time, thank God for every child who continues to walk in the right path, remembering that their continued good behaviour is also a blessing that should never be taken for granted.

Let us encourage one another instead of competing over whose children are better. Let us replace criticism with compassion, pride with humility, and worry with faith. Parenting is not a competition, it is a shared responsibility that requires patience, perseverance, love and prayer.

As we continue raising the next generation, may we never stop believing in our children, never stop guiding them and above all, never stop praying for them. Our prayers today may become the strength that helps them make the right choices tomorrow.

n Dr Manners Msongelwa is an author, teacher and youth coach. He can be contacted on +263 77 101 9392