My grandmother of blessed memory once told my mom, “What I failed to do, please correct in the upbringing of your children.” When I heard this, it sparked a realization in me.
Although adults—parents and guardians—are often grown, experienced, and wise, they can’t know it all or get everything right. Just like their children, it’s their first time at life, and most crucially, their first time taking on the role of a leader. Leadership, in this sense, is different from what you might typically think. It is special, warm and loving. It means COVERING.
This act of covering is not just a responsibility, but a profound expression of love. There is immense beauty and safety in the covering that parents and guardian provide. Because their blood, sweat, and many personal sacrifices are woven into the process of raising and nurturing their children. They are not just part of the process—they are the process itself. With such dedication to the task of raising their children, they are devoted, so their covering serves as a lifelong shield of safety.
While they offer this safe covering, we must remember they are also human. And as humans, they are not perfect, just like their children. They act in accordance to their know-how which is largely influenced by how they were raised, the words spoken over them, and the parenting styles they experienced.
Think of it like this: Just as a pilot flies a plane for the first time, even the most experienced adults and parents are navigating unfamiliar skies when it comes to raising this generation. They have the knowledge and tools, but every decision they make is a new journey. The path might be guided by their experience, but it is still their first time piloting this course—parenting, guiding, and leading in ways they’ve never done before. Mistakes will happen, but it’s through this first-time flight that they, too, learn and grow alongside their children.
To my generation: look upon your parents and guardians with love and patience. Communicate your desires and concerns respectfully, with the understanding that they are your covering—an authority established by God to shield you from the harshness of life and guide you on a path that leads to glory. Take your eyes off their weaknesses and focus on the strength their love provides. Trust me when I say that they, too, get scared and uncertain. They want the best for you but don’t want you making the same mistakes they did.
You will make it farther in life if you know the less-busy routes to take, and guess what? Your parents and guardians know them, so hold onto their hands. They wouldn’t, by the help of God lead you astray. Remember, we often pray to be better and greater versions of our parent and guardians but we can only achieve this by learning from them and filling up the gaps we notice during our own time. The beautiful reality is that, just like your parents, you too will make mistakes when you become a parent. So, why judge them?
Embrace their guidance with understanding, knowing that they too are learning, just as you will. Love them and ungrudgingly teach them how to love you. Because, we miss out of loving one another and experiencing the warmth of covering when we fight and argue. So make memories that would last a lifetime and cherish them in the now because time moves quickly. Hold onto the lessons they teach you, and make note of the things you want to change during your own time. Above all, let love lead.
For when the years pass and you stand in their shoes, you’ll realize that the greatest legacy you can leave isn’t just what you taught, but how you loved. So, love fiercely, live fully, and never forget that the real power lies in how we show up for each other, every single day. Let love be the legacy you create, for it will outlast time itself.
____________________ Amun Mercy Ruth is a creative enthusiast, guided by a personal philosophy of excellence. She ensures that everything she does is carried out to the best of her ability, with an unwavering commitment to achieving outstanding results in all her endeavors. Driven by a divine mission, she seeks to actualize God’s vision through her writing, inspire change and uncover untapped wisdom—revealing insights and truths that were once hidden beneath the surface. A lover of knowledge, Ruth is on a quest to seek new ways to grow and expand her understanding. Her passion lies in copywriting, marketing, poetry and voice-over, where she brings creativity to life in every form. A graduate of Covenant University with a BSc in Mass Communication, Public Relations and Advertising Major. With each step she takes and every word she crafts, she shapes a future where her creativity, purpose, and passion converge to inspire the world. Her journey just begun, yet the ripple effect of her influence will echo for generations to come. Contact Information E-mail: amunruth03@gmail.com LinkedIn: Amun Mercy Ruth
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.