Parents Tasked to Build Intentional Connections with Teenagers

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

A youth development organisation, Nucleus Global, has urged parents to intentionally connect with their teenagers to help them develop strong identities, purpose and resilience in a rapidly changing world.

The call was made during a parenting workshop with the theme, “Connecting with Intent: Raising Teens that Thrive,” organised by the organisation in Ibadan. 

Speaking at the event, the Founder of Nucleus Global, Mrs. Olajumoke Akere, said the programme was conceived as a strategic intervention to address challenges facing modern teenagers, stating that despite technological advancements and expanding global opportunities, many young people were struggling with identity, emotional disconnection and lack of direction.

“Every teenager still needs to be seen, heard, guided and given a sense of belonging and purpose. The world has changed significantly, and parenting approaches must evolve accordingly. 

“Parents must move from merely monitoring behaviour to intentionally shaping identity and building meaningful relationships with their children,” she said. 

According to her, the family remains the most influential institution in a teenager’s development and plays a critical role in preparing young people for future leadership responsibilities. 

Also speaking, a finance expert and parent, Dr. Adebusola Oyerinde, described connection as the foundation upon which thriving teenagers are built.

According to her, “Connection is the soil and thriving is the fruit. Teenagers flourish when they feel safe, secure, guided and supported at home.

Without connection, every instruction or counsel given to a child may have little impact.”

Oyerinde urged parents to be intentional about building relationships with their children, noting that parenting should go beyond providing material needs.

She advised parents to teach delayed gratification, establish reward systems, model good values and prioritise presence in their children’s lives.

“Many parents are willing to die for their children, but fewer are willing to live intentionally for them by guiding, mentoring and walking alongside them through life,” she said. 

One of the lead speakers, Pastor Babs Balepo, stressed the importance of helping children develop a strong sense of identity from an early age.

According to him, parents must consistently communicate values such as truth and love while creating healthy home environments that reinforce positive identity formation.

Balepo also highlighted the need for parents to teach responsibility, financial literacy, life skills, sexuality education and cultural values.

“We are parenting with the future in mind. Children will eventually leave home to fulfil their own purpose, so parents must prepare them for life’s realities and responsibilities,” he said. 

Another speaker, Pastor Funsho Balepo, observed that modern teenagers, being digital natives, faced unique challenges including social media pressures, anxiety and mental health struggles, stating that parents must recognise the realities of the digital age and deliberately help teenagers develop healthy identities that are not dependent on popularity, appearance or social media validation. 

She emphasised  that constant criticism could damage a teenager’s self-esteem, while consistent affirmation and correction of behaviour rather than character would foster confidence and emotional stability. 

She further urged parents to strengthen communication and fellowship within families to create safe spaces where teenagers could freely discuss their fears, struggles and experiences.

According to her, strong parent-child relationships enhance trust and enable young people to seek guidance during difficult periods. 

The speakers unanimously agreed that intentional parenting, strong family bonds and consistent discipline were essential for raising responsible, confident and purpose-driven teenagers capable of thriving in an increasingly complex world.

When the time comes, the people will choose light over darkness, progress over retrogression, and development over deception.”