Members of HOPE for Children yesterday perform a piece on better parenting at the Coalition for Better Parenting's Outstanding Parent Awards ceremony at the Hilton Kingston Hotel, New Kingston. 33 parents from throughout Jamaica were given awards for their parenting skills. - Ian AllenLAVERT HALL, a father of four from Portland, beamed with pride yesterday as he donned his hat and sash for his big moment. As the cameras clicked, the smile grew broader and 32 other parents and others congratulated him for being ajudged eligible to receive an award for "excellent parenting".
33 parents and foster parents including 12 fathers from throughout the island were rewarded for being good parents in the Coalition for Better Parenting's Outstanding Parents' Award Ceremony at the Hilton Kingston Hotel, New Kingston. The awards are a part of "Parents' Month" celebrated in November under the theme "Children learn when parents listen".
Mr Hall, a self-employed cabinetmaker, is bringing up a 20-year-old stepson as part of his family, with his wife. He said he was nominated at his 10-year-old daughter's school, Ken Wright Primary School in Portland, as "Parent of the Year", an honour which surprised him, he said.
"I'm an active member of the PTA. I work hard, sacrifice and am dedicated," he said, "but I don't see it as anything much". He said his success with his children lies in his talking to them.
"I have to make time for them," he said, "I have to pack up and leave work sometimes when they call me." He takes his daughter to school in the mornings; she is on the track team and also helps with the other children on the team. Also, he assists with the Boy Scouts programme as, he said, there were only two male teachers at the school and he "discovered that fathers are short".
"I don't understand why men are just sperm donors," he said. "I feel proud when my children are happy. I'd advise parents just to give at least 10 minutes a day to the child, it's simply that."
Criteria for the CBP awards include being positive role models, being parents who are actively involved in their child's education and extra-curricular activities and showing that they foster the physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual development of their children.
Yvonne Hood, chairperson of the Coalition for Better Parenting, said the awards recognised parents who were doing a good job at these. This year CBP member-agencies and the Ministry of Education which is a founding partner, Children's Services Division (foster parents), Jamaica Association for the Deaf, Mico Care Centre, Women's Centre Foundation, Hope for Children, 3D Projects Ltd., and private voluntary organisations nominated the parents for the awards.
At yesterday's ceremony, the parents were also exposed to additional information with the launch of a parenting TV series, "Tomorrow Begins Today", which will focus on ways to have a positive impact on the lives of children.
Anthony Lawrence, marketing manager of Grace Foods and Services, the guest speaker, said parenting was no simple task, and the world was revolutionising dramatically.
"We now live in a complex, challenging world, a world where modern technology and the amazingly rapid dissemination of information which it has brought in its wake are changing the way we live, the way we perceive our world, the way we think and the way we behave," he said.
He said that the effect of these on children is especially worrying and they need adults to mould their minds, spirits and understanding of things.
"Outstanding parents like yourselves have understood this and are trying to give your children what is needed", he said, "all of us can do our bit to spread the gospel of better parenting". He urged all to become active in their communities through community organisations, church groups and others.
The annual CBP awards are supported by Grace, Kennedy and Co. and UNICEF. CBP member-agencies include those listed above and these spearhead efforts to highlight the importance of parenting skills and provide support for parents in improving these skills.
