This is a great read. Even more complex is raising kids who are not heterosexual. Teenagers - regardless of their sexuality - experience a wide range of emotions. Typical African parents, who already are closed off about dating and relationships, don't provide a safe space for queer kids to develop normally. These are topics to fully explore as we raise kids. It's important to remember that we're supposed to help them feel safe and cherished so that they can be well rounded/developed adults. The world is already difficult enough, let's give our kids as soft a jump off point as possible.
Thank you so much Atoks. You’re so right and I completely agree—every child, no matter their sexuality, deserves to feel safe and supported at home. We often struggle with open conversations about dating and relationships, which makes it even tougher for queer kids to feel seen and understood. At the end of the day, our job is to make sure our kids know they’re loved and valued. Like you said, The world is already tough enough, so home should be their safe space.
Great article! There is definitely a need for us as parents to listen better and create more safe spaces for our children to speak to us.
In the absence of that and when we take the controlling approach you mentioned, what we do is abuse the power that our roles afford us. Consequently, our children could find their own power/control in not engaging...and secrecy.
So yes, we need to bring them closer and that requires un-learning some of the lessons we learnt growing up!
Thank you! You’ve said it so well—Unlearning what we grew up with takes effort, but it’s key to raising confident, open, and emotionally secure kids. Appreciate your thoughtful insight! 🙌🏾
Great article, very relevant, we need to have open and honest conversations with our teens so we can support them better
Thank you! I couldn’t agree more—honest chats help us guide and support them while staying true to our values. Glad this resonated with you!
This is a great read. Even more complex is raising kids who are not heterosexual. Teenagers - regardless of their sexuality - experience a wide range of emotions. Typical African parents, who already are closed off about dating and relationships, don't provide a safe space for queer kids to develop normally. These are topics to fully explore as we raise kids. It's important to remember that we're supposed to help them feel safe and cherished so that they can be well rounded/developed adults. The world is already difficult enough, let's give our kids as soft a jump off point as possible.
Thank you so much Atoks. You’re so right and I completely agree—every child, no matter their sexuality, deserves to feel safe and supported at home. We often struggle with open conversations about dating and relationships, which makes it even tougher for queer kids to feel seen and understood. At the end of the day, our job is to make sure our kids know they’re loved and valued. Like you said, The world is already tough enough, so home should be their safe space.
Great article! There is definitely a need for us as parents to listen better and create more safe spaces for our children to speak to us.
In the absence of that and when we take the controlling approach you mentioned, what we do is abuse the power that our roles afford us. Consequently, our children could find their own power/control in not engaging...and secrecy.
So yes, we need to bring them closer and that requires un-learning some of the lessons we learnt growing up!
Keep up the great work!
Thank you! You’ve said it so well—Unlearning what we grew up with takes effort, but it’s key to raising confident, open, and emotionally secure kids. Appreciate your thoughtful insight! 🙌🏾