Parents should listen more closely to their children and provide guidance without judgment to help them cope with stress, anxiety, and other challenges, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said on Monday, Aug. 24.

DSWD Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Irene Dumlao made the call in support of the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), a DSWD-attached agency, which emphasized that child protection should begin at home.

“As parents, it is our main priority to make them feel safe, heard, and loved,” Dumlao said.

“Our homes should be the first place where they feel protected to be themselves, where they can speak about their fears and worries, and where they know that someone will listen without judging them,” she added.

She urged parents to be more present in their children’s lives by listening to them, seeking to understand rather than judge, and practicing guided discipline.

“We cannot always shield our children from stress, anxiety, or the difficulties they encounter as they grow up. But we can make sure that they do not face these challenges alone by creating homes where children feel safe enough to talk about what they are going through,” she said.

To strengthen parent-child relationships, DSWD is implementing the Parent Effectiveness Services (PES) Program, which was institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11908 in 2022.

The program helps parents and other caregivers better understand their roles and responsibilities and strengthen their parenting values and practices.

“Through the implementation of the PES, the DSWD will be able to enhance parental values and conduct, supporting parents and caregivers as they learn to meet their responsibilities toward their children, families, and the community,” Dumlao said.

DSWD also uses family development sessions (FDS) to equip beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) with knowledge and skills for building stronger family relationships and nurturing homes.

“When children grow up in homes where they feel secure and supported, they are better equipped to face challenges, develop resilience, and build healthy relationships with their peers and others,” she said.