Bula
Three stories make the front page of The Fiji Times for Tuesday, May 13.
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Synopsis
A mother’s challenge!
Centenary Methodist Church women’s fellowship member Ani Naivalu said something the other day that should make us pause and reflect.
In fact it should make a lot of people sit up and take notice because, to a large extent, it makes sense. Her words carried weight and truth!
She believes instilling values in children is becoming increasingly difficult for mothers today.
Speaking after a Mother’s Day service at the Centenary Methodist Church in Suva, Mrs Naivalu said the occasion served as a reminder of the vital role women played within both the home and the wider community.
Mother’s Day, she believes, is a time to reflect not only on their domestic responsibilities, but also their broader role in society.
While mothers have traditionally been seen as providers at home, she believes their duties have extended well beyond that.
They also have responsibilities outside the family.
Mrs Naivalu highlighted the increasing difficulties faced by mothers today, particularly when it comes to guiding children in a rapidly changing social environment.
She spoke about “so many challenges happening around us”.
She referred to mobile phones as one of the biggest problems facing mothers.
Children prefer to do things outside the family.
“We’re also facing issues like drugs, which makes it even harder to teach children the real meaning of family.”
In the face of these challenges, she remains hopeful that mothers would continue to lead their families with strength and faith.
Mrs Naivalu raises issues that many parents and guardians will be able to relate to.
It is already happening in the country.
Yes we are facing massive challenges in drug addiction and mobile phone addiction. Yes, many of our youngsters are drug addicts, and many more have mobile phones and are almost permanently glued to them.
Mrs Naivalu’s observations echo what many parents already feel: that they’re fighting an uphill battle for their children’s time, attention, and moral development.
So, again, how do we help parents and guardians reclaim their role as the primary influence in their children’s lives? How do we confront the very real dangers of drug addiction, screen dependency, and the erosion of family time?
The first step obviously, is to acknowledge the problem. Mobile phone addiction is real. Many of our children, and to a large extent, parents and guardians as well, are so deeply immersed in digital content that they struggle to maintain meaningful real-life interactions. Drug abuse is on the rise, with young lives derailed before they even begin to take shape. And yes, family conversations are being replaced by scrolling, streaming, and silence!
But we are not powerless. Community support, open conversations, parental involvement, and faith-based guidance can all play a role in turning the tide. Schools, churches, and local organisations must work together with families to create spaces where children feel seen, heard, and valued. And we must all be willing to set better examples in our own lives.
Mrs Naivalu’s voice deserves to be amplified. She offers a reminder of what truly matters: strong families, grounded values, and the enduring strength of a mother’s love!
