Editor,

We know that part of being a parent, perhaps the most important part, is the task of creating a "holding environment” in our home, a place where each child is held and feels held throughout their lifetime.

First and foremost, a holding environment is a safe one. Each child must feel safe, safe in the sense that no one will intentionally harm him, and remain secure in the knowledge that they are loved, and are part of something bigger than themselves. They belong and are accepted.

As a Rwandan parent, I would like to encourage other parents, teachers and nanny’s to continue in this steadfast duty of raising children in a responsible, loving and secure way.

This also includes insisting on accountability for the tasks that are theirs, when they do wrong, we should assertively ask them to apologize.

Through holding them responsible for their behavior, we can’t lose sight of the fact that we are still guiding them, and the message must always be, "I love you and care about you and I expect more from you.”

Grace Uwiringiyimana
Kiyovu