NewStats: 3,263,828 , 8,181,544 topics. Date: Sunday, 08 June 2025 at 07:34 AM u2mm

In Nigeria, when a child starts behaving strangely—skipping chores, arguing unnecessarily—parents start panicking. “This one has ed bad gang!” they say. And sometimes, they’re right.


There are many reasons why children and relatives behave in a rebellious or troublesome way. I recently watched an interview featuring young men and women in their early and late twenties. A common theme among them was that they ended up on the streets because of their strained relationships with their families. Some shared that their parents were too strict, while others said they lacked attention at home and sought it elsewhere—often with devastating consequences. Many became drug addicts, prostitutes, or political thugs simply because they felt neglected or misunderstood.


Some children become so difficult that they stress their families and entire compounds. The frustrated parents respond by becoming excessively strict or harsh, which pushes the children further away. Some even run away from home, convinced that the world outside will be more welcoming.


Sadly, many of these children eventually realize that life on the streets is not as glamorous as Nollywood makes it seem. There’s no dramatic background music, no hero coming to save them—just hunger, suffering, and dangerous influences. And when they attempt to return home, they are often met with judgment instead of acceptance. “So you want to come back after disgracing us?” some parents say, unknowingly pushing them further into the streets.

These children seek love and understanding, and when they don’t find it at home, they look for it elsewhere, often in the wrong places.


A Plea to Parents and Guardians

Dear Nigerian parents and guardians, please do not abandon your children simply because they seem rebellious or refuse to obey every command. Instead of chasing them away, guide them with patience and understanding.

Let’s be honest—some of these wayward children are incredibly smart. If properly nurtured, they could achieve great things. Have you ever noticed how some street boys can calculate bus fare faster than an ant? Or how some girls selling puff-puff have business skills sharper than most CEOs? That’s untapped potential! If given the right environment, many of them would thrive instead of struggling on the streets.


Advice for Parents

1. Understand Your Children:
Pay attention to their behavior, friendships, and struggles. If your child suddenly starts wearing dark sunglasses indoors and speaking slang you don’t understand—be observant!

2. Give Them Healthy Freedom:
Allow them space to explore their interests while setting reasonable boundaries. The goal is balance—not turning your house into a military barrack.

3. Show Love in the Home:
Nigerian parents, please, hug your children sometimes. Not every time “Did you wash plate?” or “Bring my slippers.”

4. Teach Practical Skills:
Fathers, take your sons along for “manly” work or household chores to teach responsibility. Don’t just shout, “Be a man!” without showing them how.

5. Stop Using Children for Manipulation:
Single parents and grandparents—avoid sending children to spy on neighbors or making them resent their fathers or mothers. Let them grow up without unnecessary family drama.

6. Limit Exposure to Harmful Relationships:
If you engage in external relationships, keep them away from your children if you cannot fully trust your partner.

Children are individuals with their own identities—give them an environment where they can thrive. If your child has run away and you’ve tried everything to bring them back, stay in touch with them or send someone to check on them. Pride often stops them from coming back, but deep down, they want to return home. Make it easier for them.


Finally, never compare your child to others or their siblings. Nigerian parents love to say, “See your mate.” Please, stop it. Every child is unique—some shine early, some shine later, but the goal is to make sure they shine at all.


With patience, guidance, and love, even the most wayward child can find their way back home.

Nice article

gerizzim:


Nice article

Thank you 🙏

Thank you for this Op.

Cosign this beautiful message

Nigerian parents are fond of comparing their kids to others

Good one

I have noticed there is a whoring stage that many young girls in Nigeria get to and they suddenly become uncontrollable. Then after that stage (2-3yrs later) their brain now reset back to normal. Even children of Clerics are not left out.

My daughter is still in primary school, I hope I will be patient to cross the bridge when she gets to that stage.

Chai, Abeg no remind me

Give us your address make dem waybill them to you 😂😂

Awsome stuff

👍

That is the Fundamental issues with some miscreants we see out there today

Wonderful write up

What I know is that expect serious war from your kids between the age of 12-24.

This is where the real job of parenting is.

From 0-12 just let them know that there's is love. That would help in that rebellious phase.

Every family has its black sheep

Nahunger:


Give us your address make dem waybill them to you 😂😂

I wish I could do this

True talk

Noted.

Great tips, very informative

This is the fear of every responsible parent. It's very painful for parents to see their wards go wayward. Due to the continued changes in the society and also the pressure of providing for the kids. Most of us find it very difficult to balance nurturing and providing for our kids. It takes very few hours of the day to confuse a growing child to test new things. Peer pressure is also another thing. Most parents lately train kids that aren't confident and easily manipulated because of their curiosity.

All in all, it's a continuous effort to train a child to be useful and have self awareness.

Traditional Nigerian parents are wack. They lack the ability to strike a balance between firmness and healthy lenience.

I thank God my dad didn't kpai me after all my madness.
My mom always said it over and over that if anyone told her that I would later become someone others look up to for directions and leadership, she would have taken it with doubtful tears and a pinch of salt. 😂😁🤣

Parents of nawah days need to watch their children and know what they're good at so they can channel them there and not you must mandate that child to do he/she doesn't want to do in life.
Let them choose what they want to become and guide them to it and not forcing one on them.

Akalia:
Traditional Nigerian parents are wack. They lack the ability to strike a balance between firmness and healthy lenience.

they have done their own bit.
Modern parent, your own dey your front.

Just pray you don't experience such kind of a child or guardian. I have one at home, she steals ( not small money o...) lie, all sort of evil. Even attempted to rape a neighbor's child.

We have taken her for counseling, healing and all. We have resorted to rehabilitation center now, hopefully it will help.

Just pray you don't encounter such kids, it's a very bad experience.

The funny thing is, she's not the only child staying with us but she's the only one that is a problem. They are all treated well and catered for but you see this one ( she has the spirit of greed, and ojukokoro)

Great piece, @P did you write this up and can one repost elsewhere, kindly affix your copyright ©️ name as necessary

If a child start behaving wayward mid age ,chance are you did not start desciplin early.


I go to my sistet house and the children immediately jump on me and start playing and hitting me. I have to restucture them by telling them "greet me". A marker of submissivness and respect. My sister meanwhile is seeking to enrole them in a top private school. But has not thought them properly to greet. Basic soicial skill.

Saw this video, where Police came to arrest this teenager and his mom was like, 'is this what you want for yourself? After everything I have gone through for you, is this really the lifestyle you want for yourself?' then she went inside her house. Even the oyibo police that came to arrest the boy, you need to see the emotional disappointment on his face.

Omooorrrr na there I know say to raise kids no easy. You fit do every humanly possible for them and they will still choose to disgrace you.

May we not have wayward kids.