By Dickson Tumuramye
When our son was in kindergarten, he told us that he was a class monitor. Before end of the year, he made himself a head boy.
When he was in primary one, he called himself a president of our home.
During the 2021 general presidential elections in Uganda, his young brother disputed that there must be a change of government because his brother had ‘overstayed in power’ as the home president.
They took long to agree because he claimed he was the firstborn and by default a president and an heir.
We later agreed amicably that they keep changing leadership every five years, unless one does not perform to the expectation of others.
We now have a president, vice president, and their sister the prime minister.
Since 2021, there has been good leadership in our house. The president gives us a weekly program. Some things are routine, but at least there is always a new activity.
Since the first lockdown in 2020, we started family Sunday services and they are in charge of the entire programme.
They named the home fellowship ‘Blessed Family Church’, and also started a band.
As parents and part of the congregants, we are also given responsibilities of what to do every Sunday.
Guidance, mentorship
We have seen our children develop soft skills like leadership, communication, critical thinking, decision making, negotiation, preaching, reading, praise, and worship, among others.
To promote their skills, we give them liberty to plan for family events like birthdays, anniversaries, outings, etc.
Our major role is guidance and mentorship. We are not investing a lot of resources, but we are experiencing good results.
This makes me agree that leaders are not just born, but made and raised.
There are many ways we can be intentional to do such things in our family.
Be able to identify who can do what and groom it. When we have visitors, we cannot miss asking them to lead praise and worship and prayers or give speeches.
If given opportunity to minister somewhere, at least we involve them. Sometimes while at functions, we ask them to evaluate what they learned.
We have also told them that when they are in public, they should volunteer to help in case need arises.
We have learnt to be deliberate in ensuring these children are leaders and held accountable, even with very small things they do at home.
We do not miss to remind them that there are certain things presidents must do and not do.
We have also told them about different leaders in the Bible and their legacy. It is still a journey we are treading not knowing well what the future holds.
We are confident that the Lord who began a good work in them will bring it to completion and has very good plans for their future.
We know that God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we can imagine or think of, according to the power that works in us.
We keep remembering King Solomon’s words: “Train up a child in a way he should go and when he grows up, he will never depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). It is the parents’ role to show that way to the children.
Be exemplary
If we live an exemplary life and walk the talk, our children will follow.
Children are not good at listening to words, but better at acting what they watch us do.
To them, actions speak louder than words. That is why we must be very good role models to them.
If children cannot emulate anything good from their parents, then there is a problem with the parents.
How are you raising the next generation that God mandated you within your house? What kind of a parent do your children say you are? What are you well-remembered of?
Observe key qualities in your children and intentionally groom them.
As a parent, ensure you have family activities and engage the children, so that those who are not born leaders are responsible enough to act independently under your guidance.
Plan for mentorship programmes for your children. Tell them stories of great leaders you know. Buy them leadership books or videos to read and watch.
Raising leaders of the next responsible and God-fearing generation is solely our responsibility as parents.
We are the primary coaches in their lives. Start now; make them influential regardless of what level they are at now.
The writer is a child advocate, parenting coach, marriage counselor and co-founder of Men of Purpose mentorship programme.
