Nadisha Hunter, Gleaner Writer

POSITIVE Parenting

Communication is fundamental to strong parent-child relationship. That's what the kids are saying.

In The Gleaner's Corporate Area canvass last week, many children made it clear they treasure spending time with their parents, in play time, family talks and general interaction.

Mikhail Blair, 18, states that he lives in a loving and comfortable home where he rates the relationship with his parents as almost excellent. Communication does the trick, he argues.

"I am free to talk to my parents about anything and they relate to me in a way that I can understand," says Blair.

He enjoys when the family eats out, watches movies and shares jokes. Still, Blair says, his parents need to spend more time with him.

For Tamara Broderick, her life is full of pleasurable moments with her parents. They spend quality time together, discussing issues, because they are always prepared to listen to her.

"They make me aware of the facts of life, such as sexual matters, and they also spend time helping me with my schoolwork," Broderick states.

However, she states that her parents should stop quarrelling over simple matters and give her a little more free time.

The experiences of 17-year-old Nadesha Sappleton and 15-year-old Shelice Richards, students of Bog Walk High School, are similar. They both cherish their 'open' relationship with their parents.

Only child

Richards says her mother encourages her to talk to her about anything.

"I am an only child and my mother sits and talks to me about life, she interacts with me on a one-to-one level."

Sappleton states that she will repay her parents by studying hard and excelling.

"I am going to do my schoolwork and try to get my subjects so that I can get a good job," she says.

However, not all children are fortunate to have parents who spend enough time with them. This can have a negative impact, as in the case of Sasha-Gaye Chambers. Her parents are always on the go, so they hardly have any time for her.

"They are mostly at work or out on business so I am not able to talk to them, socialise with them so as to build the relationship," states Chambers.

She, however, states that they show her love and allow her the freedom of going out to enjoy herself.

How often do you spend time with your children and what activities help cultivate a culture of openness? Email feedback to phyllis.thomas@gleanerjm.com or editor@gleanerjm.com.