My Child My Friend-MCMF

Children and adolescents need safe structured spaces for thriving especially during school holidays. Through the holiday sports programs, we are happy to be contributing to this especially for those from informal communities where parents and caregivers do not have opportunities to provide this structure and where there are limited physical spaces for play.
This December, we are planning to take our players to participate and experience a tournament that is taking place in Diani on the week of 10th. For most, this will be their first big trip and they are super excited!
Unfortunately, as much as we wish to take all of them, the cost associated is high and their parents are not able to get the funds needed and we are not able to support everyone.
We have tried our best but we still have a gap.
We appeal for your support on behalf of the players. Please contact us on 0758288722 or 0721286228 and we will let you know how you may be of help.

Here are 6 quick facts about My Child My Friend

Hi Parents!
How much do you know about MCMF, our focus areas, and our role in the mental health of adolescents and emerging adults?
What would you like to know about us or our programs?

Let’s talk about the power of social support.
Most times when we think of peer influence, we think of the negative aspect i.e. peer pressure, bad company etc. But did you know there's a positive side?
Friends and peers can be incredible resources when it comes to mental health and well-being. Having people who understand and appreciate you can buffer isolation, loneliness, stress, and other challenges while providing a sense of belonging.
For adolescents and emerging adults, having a strong support system is crucial for mental health and resilience.
Let’s be there for each other, lend a listening ear, and offer encouragement. Together, we can create a supportive community where everyone feels valued and understood. 💕

Good evening parents and guardians.
As we head off into the weekend, it's good to create intentional time for our own and our children's mental wellness. This can help you and your families feel more grounded, in tune with yourselves and each other, and well on the way towards fulfilling lives.
How are you planning to practise this during the weekend? Let us know in the comments.
Blessed weekend to you all😄

What beliefs do you have about mental health? How do you separate the truth from myths, stereotypes and stigma against mental health and mental illness. Outlined below is our guide to help you distinguish between facts and myths when it comes to understanding what exactly mental health is.

It's important to understand what exactly mental health is and pursue it with clarity and intentionality.
Remember, mental health is part of overall health. It is just as important as physical health.
Is this something you already knew about or a new lesson for the week?

Raising confident children and teens involves nurturing their mental health and resilience. By fostering a supportive environment that encourages novelty, self-expression, learning, and growth, we empower young minds to navigate life's challenges with confidence and strength.
Let's work together to raise a generation of young people who are equipped to thrive mentally and emotionally.

Being a parent of a teenager can be challenging, especially when it feels like you're speaking different languages. As your child goes through the developmental stage of adolescence, they are getting a sense of their personal identity, exploring various interests, redefining their beliefs and values, trying to deal with various stresses, and navigating the transition from childhood to adulthood. It’s therefore common for communication and relationship dynamics to shift. You (the parent) and your child might feel like you don’t really understand each other.
“Mom, you don’t understand”; “You don’t get me” are common phrases we hear.
But fear not! There are things that can be done to improve communication and bring you closer to a better awareness and understanding of each other.
1. Open dialogue: create a safe, validating, and non-judgmental space while encouraging your child to share with you
2. Active listening: to understand, not to respond
3. Respect their pace of disclosure while reassuring them that you’ll be there for them
4. Spend quality time together: have one-on-one time to communicate, engage in mutual or new activities, or find other ways to focus on each other and create memories
5. Show interest (or curiosity) in their interests/strengths/hobbies: ask them about what they are learning or doing, encourage them to share more about the interests or their experiences, try engaging in the interests together, offer praise for the effort they make.
6. Allow them to have agency and autonomy. This will help strengthen their confidence and independence while maintaining the health of your relationship
7. Be patient and understanding: model empathy and compassion. Try to understand their perspectives and offer support where they need it. This shows your teens that they are seen, valued and respected in the home.

Are you a parent looking for a place where your child or adolescent will be engaged through sport and have access to young psychologists who will offer lifeskills training and mental wellness support? consider this program by My Child My Friend-MCMF Call us on 0710311889/0758288722 for more details. Visit our website on https://mychildmyfriendafrica.org

In celebration of the healing from our own experiences for unsupported childhood and adolescence, we give our best to the current generation of children and adolescents. Because we are big on and we are