As families in Albania and in many other parts of the world started the month with a celebratory mood for the International Children’s Day, the entire June is dedicated to the role of parents and caregivers. And so we, an artist and an engineer, brought together by a common life mission to advance child rights, are dedicating this piece to you, the mothers and fathers of children in Albania.

We know, being a good parent is the most difficult and, at the same time, the most beautiful job in the world. It changes you, challenges you and helps you grow in unimaginable ways. Unfortunately, most often than not, you feel not supported or not prepared for this important role in your life, no matter how positive an example your own parents set for you, and no matter the richness of books you have read on parenting. Perhaps you know all about the history of Scanderbeg, have learned foreign languages, know all the ins and outs of how a living cell works, or even how a nuclear engine operates, but there was no subject in your schooling to help you with this necessary life skill of becoming a good parent. The EU-funded EU4SocialCare programme, for instance, is helping many municipalities throughout the country to offer parenting programmes. It is crucial that these are scaled up and offered to every parent, every family, throughout the country. Also, make sure that at least, your sons and daughters will have in their life what you did not – the opportunity to learn about parenting. As members of your school boards, you may also connect with educational authorities and introduce parenting and similar life skills subjects as part of curricula and after school programmes.

We hear your concerns, you are pressed for time and must also go to work, in order to provide for your family. Many of you feel that there are insufficient, affordable opportunities for child-care in your community. As citizens, you may connect with local authorities to further invest in kindergartens and creches, so that every parent, every caregiver, is supported to juggle between their professional and family life. As employees and members of trade unions you can join voices to negotiate with your employers flexible rules and practices that help you meet both these roles. Through the UNICEF Business Advisory Board, we are sensing a growing awareness in the business community in Albania that investing in children and parenting makes good economic sense, too.  

Times have changed; the world has become more competitive, more demanding even towards children. As a parent you feel you need to push your children to study for hours, learn new languages, follow many courses, stay on top of their game, be ahead of everyone else. But it is important for them to enjoy some downtime too. To be able to play is your child’s right! Not only you must uphold it; you must seriously engage in their play! Purchasing a full room of toys for them is not what your child needs, placing a cell phone in their hand is not the way. Sit down with them to play and talk, explore the outdoors with them, sing with them, go crazy together! Did you know that the biggest problem is not that children are underweight but that they are increasingly becoming obese? Do what is right for your child, help them make healthy food choices but also regularly take them away from digital world, a 9-to-5 routine, and play together have non digital times. In fact, it would do both of you very good.

As Albania ups its economic growth, the demand for industrial and urban development will risk usurping more of the public space. That is your child’s playground. Protect it! Create it! And make it Greener!

We get you, you often doubt yourself whether you are doing a good job as a parent. Why is my child different from everyone else’s? Is technology a friend or foe? Once you master the skills of the very crucial first years of your child’s life, here hits adolescence and you find yourself in excruciating dilemmas: what strategies to follow? As the world changes and becomes unpredictable you wonder: how do you protect but also how do you let your young one go out there, in a world that is becoming scarier every day? Of course, there are no fixed recipes: you do you! But hopefully following UNICEF parenting site  https://www.unicef.org/parenting/  or using the Bebbo app - targeting young mothers and fathers - might be helpful in navigating those dilemmas.

We also see you, loving, caring adults, willing to invest in children. There are so many boys and girls without parental care that instead of being institutionalized, they would otherwise flourish in your capable and loving arms. It would mean the world to some of them if you became their adoptive or foster parent. UNICEF is working with the Ministry of Health and Social Protection to build stronger legal and policy framework on alternative care and to model family support hubs in Durres, Korça and many other municipalities. Seek information from your municipal child protection worker on opportunities to become a foster parent. 

And finally, pay attention to the mental health of your children, but also do take care of yourself, your own health and well-being. That too is a parental responsibility! This is the most demanding job that you don’t take any leave, and you do not retire from. But it is crucial to make time for you! And remember, just like you praise your little one for doing a good job, you should also pat yourself in the shoulder: You, valuable parent, are doing a great job!   

To every parent reading this: know that your love, your effort, and your presence matter more than you may ever realize. You are shaping the future, one child at a time. Though the journey is not always easy, you are not alone. Together—with support from communities, institutions, and each other—we can build a world where every child thrives, and every parent feels empowered.

With heartfelt respect,

Murat ?ahin
Representative, UNICEF Albania Office

Alban Skënderaj
UNICEF National Ambassador for Children in Albania