Supporting Each Other and Building Better Families
In a small village, Ibu Sari (32 years old) is known as an active and dedicated Posyandu cadre. Besides volunteering her time, she's also a member of the Parents Support Group (PSG), helping parents navigate the challenges of raising children and strengthen family relationships.
Before joining the PSG, Ibu Sari faced various difficulties within her family. With two children spaced quite far apart in age, conflicts often arose at home. Her youngest child was a fussy eater when it came to main meals, while the house rarely stayed tidy because both children were very active. On top of that, Ibu Sari and her husband's busy work schedules limited family communication. Furthermore, the children were more often engrossed in their gadgets than talking to their parents.
"Sometimes I felt overwhelmed," Ibu Sari recalled, reminiscing about the time before she joined the PSG. "These challenges made me feel like a failure as a mother, especially when the children were difficult to manage or when the house felt less than harmonious," she continued.
However, everything started to change when she actively participated in PSG activities facilitated by Wahana Visi Indonesia. In these meetings, Ibu Sari not only learned the theory behind positive parenting but also found a space to share and hear the experiences of other mothers in her village.
Learning to Nurture with Love and Patience
One of the most memorable moments for Ibu Sari was when she learned about the importance of building positive habits within the family. She began to understand that being a parent wasn't just about giving orders but also about creating an atmosphere full of love, forgiveness, and mutual acceptance.
"Now I'm more patient with the children, even though they sometimes still do things that make me emotional. I also try to put the knowledge I've gained into practice, such as involving them in small discussions and giving appreciation for the good things they do," Ibu Sari said proudly.
Strengthening Family Bonds
In addition, the support group also helped Ibu Sari and her husband realise the importance of quality time together as a family. Despite their busy schedules, they now make an effort to set aside time to talk or simply chat with their children. Slowly but surely, simple habits like eating dinner together or playing without gadgets began to take hold.
"I feel closer to my children and husband now. We're learning to support and understand each other," she added.
An Inspiring Transformation
Thanks to the group, Ibu Sari now feels more confident in her roles as a mother and wife. She has also become an inspiration to other mothers in her village to participate in this positive initiative.
"Thank you to Wahana Visi Indonesia for bringing programmes like this to our village. I've learned that family is a place where love, forgiveness, and support meet. We're not perfect, but we keep striving to be a better family," Ibu Sari concluded with gratitude.
Author: Veronika Nyamoi (Contributor for Sintang Area Programme)
Editor: Mariana Kurniawati (Communication Executive)
