Parents and guardians may sometimes hear and see less about what is happening in the lives of their wards because of demanding jobs, family responsibilities and other commitments. In many cases, children spend more time interacting, relating and playing with their peers and other people around them than they do with their parents.
When parents are too strict, distant or unapproachable, they may unintentionally make their wards afraid to speak freely. A child who does not feel comfortable discussing personal experiences, concerns or unusual situations with a parent may begin to keep important information to themselves.
This can create a serious security gap within the family. Children encounter different people and situations every day, and they may notice things that adults do not. When they have the confidence to speak, parents have a better opportunity to understand what is happening around them and provide timely guidance.
Parents should therefore create an atmosphere where their wards can ask questions, share their experiences and express their concerns without immediately being judged or condemned. This does not mean allowing children to do whatever they want. Rather, it means combining discipline with openness, so that children know that their parents are available to listen, guide and correct them.
A security-conscious parent and family should welcome useful information from their wards. Sometimes, a simple conversation can reveal a concern, a bad influence, a troubling relationship or an emerging problem before it becomes something more serious.
Parents should also pay attention to how they respond when their children speak. If every disclosure is met with anger, insults, threats or immediate punishment, the child may learn to remain silent. Over time, this silence can make it difficult for parents to know when their wards are facing pressure, manipulation, bullying, abuse, criminal influence or other dangers.
Building confidence to speak out requires patience and trust. Parents should encourage their wards to understand that they can always come forward when something does not feel right. They should teach them that speaking about a problem is not an act of disobedience and that asking for help is not a sign of weakness.
Children should also be taught the difference between keeping appropriate family matters private and keeping dangerous secrets. They need to understand that anyone who threatens, manipulates or pressures them to hide harmful activities from their parents should be treated with caution.
Parents should remember that the child who is confident enough to speak out gives the family an opportunity to act. But the child who is afraid to speak may carry important information alone until it is too late.
As parents and guardians, let us make our homes places where children feel safe enough to speak, confident enough to ask questions and assured that they will be heard. Good communication is not only important for building strong family relationships; it can also become an important part of family security.
“Wards who are denied the confidence to speak their minds may easily be swept away by crime.”
Just be good. Reflect. Stay alert.
Author
Moruf Yusuf (Ojogbon)
ANIPR, MISN, FCAI, FIIM, MSPSP
📧 Email: maarufism@gmail.com | thesecuremind2026@gmail.com
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Saturday, 5th September, 2026
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