LOVE & PARENTING One-way street?

 Featuring Gimhani Thaveesha Gunawardena, Senior Psychologist. A psychologist by heart, Gimhani is passionate about her vocation. Many in the profession are sadly, quite the opposite – paying more attention to the adage ‘time is money.’ Branding in the sole hope of cashing in on vulnerability is pitiable. Counselling and Psychology is a study dedicated individuals undergo as they care for the well-being of society. Such professionals are rare. Counting over 16 years’ experience working especially with children, young adults, parents and in the field of school counselling her expertise is in the field of Trauma, Stress Management, Mindfulness, Anxiety, Family and Relationship issues, Depression and Stress, Grief, Personality issues, Education difficulties, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Self-esteem and addictive behaviors. Gimhani holds a Master of Science in Clinical and Health Psychology from the University of West London Graduating with “Summa Cum Laude”, BSc.(Hons)in Psychology from Missouri University of Science & Technology -USA together with additional accolades and qualifications.  

Words - Shanthi Wijesinghe

Parenting with love. Does this mean parents must follow the child’s directives?

LOVE means listening to the needs of your children, validating their feelings, and fostering a positive emotional connection, while also teaching them about limits, responsibility, and appropriate behavior. Long term research and studies of 45 years with nearly 2000 cases have shown how children suffer from psychological maladjustment and develop depression, substance abuse, behaviour disorders 
and even hypertension due to a lack of parenting love. Parenting with love does not mean following the child’s directives. Parents are taking a wrong turn in their parenting style due to this misunderstanding. Rather, it emphasizes the importance of showing care, understanding, and respect in the parent-child relationship, while also providing guidance, setting boundaries, and teaching important life skills. Loving parenting involves balancing warmth and affection with appropriate discipline and structure. While it is important to be responsive to a child’s feelings and wishes, parents must make decisions that are in the best interests of the child even if they don’t always align with the child’s wishes.