Joyce Onwuka
Greenwood House School, a dynamic nursery and primary school in Lagos, recently hosted its inaugural Parent Conference, themed “Navigating the Complexities of Parenthood” at Civic Center, Victoria Island. The event, an initiative of the school, brought together parents, caregivers, and experts to explore the challenges and joys of raising children in today’s fast-paced world.
The conference featured a keynote address by Mrs Olajumoke Adenowo, an award-winning architect and Founder of Awesome Treasures Foundation (ATF), as well as panel sessions on “Effective Communication” and “Technology and Social Media”. Breakout sessions covered topics such as the Early Years Foundation Stage, Confronting Bullying, and Identifying and Addressing Antisocial Behavior.
In her opening remarks, the Co-Founder of Greenwood House School, Dr. Ekua Abudu Akinsanya, said, “Parenting is one of the most rewarding experiences in life, but it can also be challenging. We organized this conference to provide parents with the support and resources they need to navigate the complexities of parenthood and raise happy and well-adjusted children. Through our sessions, attendees will receive practical skills and strategies for managing modern parenting and dealing with specific issues. We hope that from all the stories and insights shared, you can be inspired and motivated to be more engaged and proactive in your parenting journey and improve your relationship with your children.”
The Parent Conference was a resounding success, with over 350 parents and stakeholders in attendance. Participants appreciated the opportunity to learn from experts, share their own experiences, and network with other parents. Mrs Folasade Adefisayo, the Commissioner for Education (2019 – 2023), Lagos State, was in attendance as the Special Guest and spoke about the importance of building strong relationships with one’s children.
“Parenting cannot be outsourced. Let your children know that their lives really matter to you,” Mrs Olajumoke Adenowo stated in a rousing keynote address which received a standing ovation. She continued, “To me, the challenges of parenting today stem from parents carrying the baggage of their past, the changing demographics of society, and the rising lack of mentors, amongst others. The key factors for good parenting are establishing clear guidelines, being active listeners, encouraging and keeping them safe from harm, good discipline, and ensuring purposeful time. We are all on this journey together interdependently. Real maturing is knowing you need others and leaving your egos aside to learn and unlearn from one another.”
The Parent Conference was a valuable resource for parents and caregivers in the community as it provided an essential platform for key stakeholders to discourse and collaborate on ways to better connect with the younger generation in line with the changes to society. It was a unique opportunity for stakeholders to learn better ways of parenting, thereby raising value-driven children, which will in turn translate into healthier families and a better society.
The event was sponsored by various organizations including First Bank, Vetiva, Blueprint Technologies, Dorman Long Engineering, Hill+Knowlton Strategies, Hyde Energy, Senantra, and The Civic Center as the main sponsors. Other sponsors included Philips Outsourcing, Philips Consulting, Access Bank, Flour Mills of Nigeria, JW Events, UBA Foundation, MedPlus, Shoreline, Cadbury, EDVES, Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls, and The Tent Event Limited. Individuals who believed in the mission of the conference also played key roles as sponsors.