KIWANIS Club of New Kingston (KCNK), in partnership with The Church of St Margaret’s Mothers Union on Saturday, May 27, hosted a parenting seminar under the theme ‘Children need our love and protection’.

The seminar, which targeted parents primarily from in and around the community of Standpipe in Liguanea, with the help of the National Parent Teachers Association, was held at the St Margaret’s Church Hall in St Andrew and had 31 parents in attendance.

The seminar, a project of KCNK human and spiritual values committee, began with participants doing an analysis of their parenting style to understand whether they are permissive, authoritarian, uninvolved/neglectful, or authoritative parents. This generated much debate and introspection.

Retired school chaplain and guidance counsellor Velia Espeut then lead a discussion on ‘Children Need Our Love, Lessons from Guidance and Counselling’.

The Office of the Children’s Advocate, represented by senior legal/policy officer Shamsi Green, brought valuable information under the heading ‘Children Need our Protection, Legal Rights of a Child’.

Participants expressed that they were unaware of the gravity of the charges and fines for not reporting cases of abuse and were appreciative of the knowledge shared.

The final presentation delivered by vice-president, Fathers United for Change, Mark Rodney, saw him using his own life as a lesson in sharing with the participants the importance of being good role models for children and being mindful of the legacy they leave behind.

The participants further expressed tremendous appreciation for the seminar and two additional organisations that serve the community (the Soroptimist Club and the Matilda’s Corner Police Station) have requested partnership in hosting additional parenting sessions.