Parents often leave for 'greener' pastures overseas, however, not many of them stop to consider the implications of their actions.

According to the lead article of the Monday Gleaner, migration is affecting family life in Jamaica.

While we accept that parents need money to take care of their children, they, must, also ensure that they provide the right guidance and support for them.

Like the article says, it is full-time we addressed the issues and found a way to encourage better parenting practices.

Mary Clarke said it best in the article, "We can't always think in terms of money. We have to think of the social and psychological consequences."

Parents, who leave the island because they want a better life for the their children, could end up paying a greater cost if they do not make proper provisions.

The phenomenon of 'barrel' children has been around in Jamaica for some time and it has not helped to do anything but give our children more material things. Therefore, it is time parents, whether they became so planned or unplanned, recognise that parenting is a responsibility with serious implications and they ought to take it seriously.

They have been entrusted, for at least 18 years, with the task of grooming a child to become a productive person in the society and while they need the money, they need to make an effort to be a good parent.