Relationships counsellor Susan Munene, a celebrity preacher famously known as Pastor Sue, has urged parents to step away from the outdated parenting methods used by their parents and instead embrace a more open, intentional, and emotionally intelligent approach that suits the needs of modern-day children.
Speaking during an interview with a local TV station on Sunday, July 6, 2025, on parenting in today’s world, Pastor Munene noted that there is no single script to raising a child, but rather guiding principles that can be adapted from one family to another depending on each child’s unique personality and emotional make-up.
“I want to say that there is no fixed script about parenting, but what we can share are principles—things that can work from one family to another—because every child is unique,” she said, acknowledging that rigid, one-size-fits-all approaches no longer serve the dynamic needs of modern households.
Pastor Sue expressed concern that many parents today are blindly repeating the same stern and rigid parenting patterns they experienced growing up, failing to recognise that generational shifts have ushered in children who thrive on understanding, not fear.
“One of the things I have observed in today’s world is that we are trying to parent our children the same way we were parented, but we must understand that times have changed,” she said, adding that children in the Gen Z and Alpha generations are wired differently and often crave genuine conversation and emotional clarity.
Proposes dialogue
She explained that the current generation of children responds better to open dialogue than to rigid instructions, noting that simply saying “do not” is no longer enough without explaining what it means or why it matters.
“You cannot keep telling children ‘do not’, ‘do not’, without being clear about what you mean. Open communication is what builds strong-willed children,” she stated.
According to her, parenting today goes far beyond just providing clothes or food—it demands a holistic approach that includes emotional, psychological, and spiritual nourishment.
“When we speak about parenting, we are not just talking about making sure they eat or that they have something to wear. You have to ensure that their emotional and psychological well-being is nurtured, and most importantly, their spiritual life,” Pastor Sue said.
Reflecting on her own parenting journey, Pastor Munene expressed a heartfelt regret that she did not dedicate more time to instilling spiritual values in her children during their formative years.
“I wish I had taken more time with my children, teaching them the word of God,” she added.
