Parents and guardians have been called upon to prioritise the safety and well-being of their children during the festive season by closely monitoring their movements, company, and activities they engage in.
Speaking during a church service at St. Joseph Methodist Church in Igembe South, Meru County, on Sunday, Bishop Alice Mutuma emphasised the importance of shielding children from risky behaviours and negative influences.
“It is the responsibility of every parent to ensure that their children are safe and protected during this festive season,” she said.
She urged parents to keep a close watch on their children’s company to ensure they are not involved in activities such as drug and substance abuse, fornication, petty crimes, and other forms of social deviance.
The bishop noted the vulnerability of children during long holidays due to their increased free time and the temptations that come with it and urged parents to keep them actively engaged in constructive activities such as participating in church programmes like camps, seminars, and conferences; household chores; and hobbies to keep them occupied.
“Our children have bright and wonderful futures ahead of them, and it is our duty as parents and guardians to guide them wisely and ensure that their potential is not ruined by bad decisions or negative peer influence,” she opined.
She equally cautioned parents to be aware of some relatives who sexually exploit their children through incest and introducing them to pornographic materials.
”Not all relatives are good with this era and time. Some of them lack morality,” Alice said.
Alice further urged them to create an environment that nurtures discipline, responsibility, and good moral values, adding that poor decisions made during early childhood or teenage levels may have unreversed long-term consequences.
By Kamanja Maeria
