AWiBers attended the session Parenting with Purpose facilitated by Helina Girma, Leadership Trainer & Life Coach on July 5, 2025. The participants were made up of women who are planning to become parents in the future, parents of toddlers, teens and adults as well as expecting moms.

Helina defined parenting with purpose to be;

• raising children with intention, clarity, and a long-term vision.
• rooted in values, connection, and the bigger picture of who we hope our children become.
• beyond simply reacting to everyday challenges.
• beyond managing behaviors

During the session Helina outlined ways to strengthen connections with our children, communicate with clarity and compassion, cultivate values such as resilience, respect, and responsibility and most of all, parent from a place of intention, not just impulse.

Participants shared their thrills, challenges and concerns with regards to raising children. Some shared their experience on having regular family meetings, forming family values with their partners and discussing sensitive topics during adolescence.

Major Takeaways

1. Understanding your responsibility as a parent helps in knowing what role to play at what age – caregiver, coach, teacher, consultant or friend depnding on the stage of growth of your child.
2. Kids don’t need perfect parents — they need present ones.
3. Real connection comes from being emotionally honest and available.
4. Children learn more from what we do than what we say.
5. Raise children not just to behave well today, but to live well tomorrow.

Share to your circles!