AFRICAN PARENTS

Parenthood is considered a very important subject being the fact that it is saddled with several responsibilities of nurturing a child to adulthood among others. It is therefore an inevitable topic to discuss when talking about the generality of life. We are surrounded with not just our own biological parents but also other parents & in some cases guardians. Teenagers and youths in our world today someday aspire to be parents in the nearest future. This article would be considered within the context of Parents in Africa with emphasis on Nigeria.

To start up this article, I took out time to seek the opinion of Teenagers on the subject matter: What's your perspective about Nigerian parents?
Here were some of the responses I got:

• "They could be weird sometimes in such a way that their own way of thinking is always right to them because they feel they are experienced. They do things not minding the consequences or disadvantages and they are ready to face it no matter what.
They care a lot. They prefer to get hurt than their wards getting hurt. They can keep secret ehn and they don't forget things easily. They rarely keep to  their promise and they always like being fair in judging".

 • "Authoritative, always thinking their actions portray that they have our best interest at heart. Easily give in to others ideas rather than their kids. Most off all they are very demanding".

• "I think most Nigerian parents care for their kids and show them love. Also, they don't fail in the aspect of discipline
compared to an American parent.
They really want to show love but most of them don't know how to.
A parent may tell you 'I show my kids love by buying clothes for them'. Although it is good to but a child needs more than that to be convinced his/her parents love him or her by listening to them and spending quality time with them".

• "They're very protective.  They can be very funny".

• " They are very nice, sometimes annoying but I guess it's a conflict of opinions. I dislike watching TV whenever they are around! It's always news! news!! news!!!

Although we could be quick most times in pointing out their flaws and things we consider uncomfortable with, the truth remains that African parents are unique and fabulous set of people. Unique because there's a distinct difference between African parents and 'white' parents. Here's a typical example:

HOW TO KNOW IF YOUR MOTHER IS A NIGERIAN.

1. When  you say "Mummy, I am sorry!!  And she replies, sorry for yourself! 😡

2. When you ask her where you should drop something and she says, " drop it on my head. 🙂🙂

3. When she brings food wrapped in a nylon bag from a frnd's daughter wedding. 😊😊

4. When you say "Mummy, I have fever and she replies you,  why won't you have fever when you press phone every night.😠😠

5. When you say Mummy I took 2nd in my class and she replies, so the person that took 1st has two heads abii?? 😆😆

6. When she takes the DSTV remote to work just to punish you. 😉😉

7. When you are watching TV with her and she sleeps off and still doesn't want you to change the Channel.😝😝

8. When you tell her you are going to a friend's place to play and she asks, " when last did that friend come here to play with you??. 😁😁😁

10. When she tells you, if I hear peeem, you will hear weeen. 😋😋

11. When she touches hot pot comfortablely without a cloth or paper. 😳😳

12. When she tells you,I didn't kill my mother, so you will not kill me!! 🙄🙄

13. When she calls you from your room upstairs and then sends you back upstairs to bring her purse. 🙄🙄
                 

14. When you ask her to refund the money she borrowed and she tells you, "All the food you have been eating in the house nko?

Our Mothers are wonderful�..

I ❤ My Mom.

Although I considered it funny initially when a friend sent it to me on WhatsApp, having a second look at it, it only spoke of uniqueness!

I'm sure you must also watched several videos on YouTube or social media platforms showing contrasts between Black parents & White parents.

I'll like to show you other ways by which I consider African parents unique.

1. They are disciplinarians. 

This is one part teenagers and youths don't seem to like or enjoy. Nigerian parents don't spare the rod when necessary! They pamper sometimes but they also have firm hands to correct the wrongs of their children. I've discovered that it's usually done with the sole aim of keeping children on the right track in life and equipped with the necessary values to face life. It's also to ensure sanity.

It's sad when I watch the news of a teenage boy spraying bullets on his classmates and some times school mates and teachers. It speaks of drop in value system and indiscipline.

If you want to get a better interpretation of the quote 'We grow through what we go through', Ask an African child! He'll explain to you better.

Let's applaud our parents in this area of promoting good morals and upholding our value system! (Well, for those who are doing it anyway).

You must have heard  statements like 'Remember the Father of whose son/daughter you are' or 'Remember the home you come from'....It's a typical African parent's way of ensuring consciousness of your identity & a check to place you on the right path.

2. They want their children to be better than them.

Every good hearted African parent seeks the good of his/her child(ren). They work effortlessly to see you enjoy a better future and be much better than them in their standard of living and achievements.

 They can go through the scorching heat of the sun and insecurity at night to get the needs of their children met. African parents are selfless people! You'll see this highly reflected in some TV shows like 'Stories that touch', 'Indomie Super mom' among others.

African parents would prefer to get hurt than see their wards getting hurt. That's the high level of Selflessness!

Kudos to African parents!

3. African parents are humans for crying out loud. They can also have fun! As much as they try to be stern, they can also be very funny! I've had several moments where I've had to 'crack my ribs'. They joke and play when they have to.

4. African parents could be very protective. They are not just very protective but also security conscious!

An African mother can choose to accompany you to your final destination even if it means spending extra on transportation fare or creating time from 'no time'. An African Dad would prefer to monitor your movements throughout your journey using phone calls.

They keep 'Safety' as their watchword. They are always concerned about the whereabout & welfare of their children.

Indeed, they are trying their best!

We therefore need to pay close attention to some factors endangering the 'African style of parenthood' where children are beginning to loose the affection of their parents that comes mainly through interaction and company with them.

Children deserve the attention of their parents to feel loved and be guarded aright along the path to tread. Children who experience fun time most times with their parents are those that enjoy the company of their parents and have them around to talk and play with.
A situation where both parents leave home very early in the home only to return @ night leaving their child(ren) in the hands of inexperienced house maids should be discouraged. Parenthood goes beyond meeting the financial needs of children. What about their emotional, physical and social needs, who'll deal with that?
This a lesson for parents and 'future' parents.

It has now become disheartening to see a new breed of African parents who care about their welfare much more than that of children. We now see parents who can afford to spend money on wearing heavy makeup and using all sorts of skin care products while their children's fees are left unpaid. This act should be curtailed.

The truth remains that African Parents are Fabulous people!