“Don’t Drop the Ball”: Walking the Parenting Journey Together

Each year, as new families join our Children’s Ministry, we are given the beautiful opportunity to start fresh relationships with mothers, fathers, and grandparents.

The little ones arrive bright-eyed. Some are excited, some shy, and some hold tightly to a parent’s hand as they step into a new environment. The parents feel much the same. Some arrive confident, others nervous, and a few are familiar faces—parents enrolling their third or fourth child in our programme over the years.

Our parenting sessions always begin with something simple and playful: a group activity where parents form a circle and pass a ball from person to person without using their hands.

The exercise quickly fills the room with laughter—but it also carries an important message.

The ball represents a child. Throughout life, children move from one caregiver to another, from parent to teacher, from family to community. At times the journey is smooth, and at times it is challenging. But the message remains the same:

Do not drop the ball.

Every child is precious—fearfully and wonderfully made—and it is our shared responsibility to care for them as they grow through the stages of childhood and school.

Building the Foundations for Healthy Families

During our introduction session, Salome guided parents through the basics of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, a well-known framework that explains how human wellbeing is built layer by layer.

Maslow described five levels of needs that shape human development:

1. Basic needs – food, rest, shelter and physical care
2. Safety – stability, protection and emotional security
3. Love and belonging – family relationships, friendships and acceptance
4. Esteem – confidence, dignity and feeling valued
5. Self-actualisation – reaching one’s potential and pursuing)

Research suggests that in everyday life people often have their basic needs about 85% satisfied, safety about 70%, belonging about 50%, esteem about 40%, and only a small portion—around 10%—reach the level of self-actualisation at any given time.

This reminds us how important the foundations of life are. When children feel safe, loved, and valued, they are far more likely to grow into healthy adults who can dream, learn, and contribute positively to their communities.

Honest Conversations with Parents

Parents spent time reflecting together and discussing important questions:

• Which needs in the Maslow triangle are most important in raising a child?
• How do we care for our own wellbeing as parents?
• Are our homes and communities emotionally safe spaces for children?
• Do our children feel loved and secure?

These conversations opened meaningful discussions about emotional safety, trust, and healthy attachment—all essential elements in a child’s development.

Although we only scratched the surface in this first session, it is the beginning of an eight-session parenting journey we will walk together throughout the year.

Walking the Journey Together

Parenting is never meant to be done alone. Through these sessions, we hope every family will feel supported, encouraged, and equipped for the important role they play in shaping young lives.

Together, we hold the ball.

And together, we will do our best not to drop it.