I attended a book reading organised by a club sometimes ago and met a 13 year old girl who has a lot of interests. She can make beads, knit, draw and do a number of other things so well. She, however, doesn’t like to read. Her lack of interest in reading is a source of concern for her parents and I believe that’s why they registered her for the club during the summer holidays.

Even though their action was good, I still can’t get over something I deduced from my discussion and that of the coordinator of the club with this young girl. Her parents seem to already have a career path in mind for her and because of this they feel she just needs to know how to read. They feel she can’t be a good doctor, lawyer, accountant or engineer if she isn’t used to reading. Not only that they also don’t spare any opportunity to let her know that they disapprove of her interests. This has totally killed her morale and makes her feel she’s good for nothing. A lot of the things I spoke about during the book reading was exciting to the other kids but she kept saying “My parents won’t allow that”. That was a very big concern for me.

Why do we as parents not listen to or watch our kids to identify their gifts and talents? Why do we impose our ideology on them? Why do we kill their morale in the bid to make them see reason with us? Why? Why?? Why???

I believe parenting is supposed to be about bringing out the best in a child that’s been made complete by God. As parents all we need do is nurture. To nurture is to support and encourage during the period of development. Another word for nurture is to foster. This means to care for or cherish. Our kids, as well as their gifts, are meant to be supported, encouraged and cherished. This is what will make a way for them and grant them the opportunity to stand before great men. Who would have thought being a footballer was a great career some years back? Now it is and Kalu Nwankwo and other people like him have carved a niche for themselves in that area. The great careers for the future are already finding expression in our kids. Let’s give them a chance. Let’s allow their gifts find expression!

– Gbonjubola Sanni