“Parenthood in Times of Change” is a series of educational and supportive meetings for Ukrainian families who have found themselves in new life circumstances due to war, displacement, or a shift in cultural context. The program is designed as a space for reflection, honest dialogue, and the search for inner resources for parents raising children in a time of instability and uncertainty.
About the Program
The cycle consisted of five in-person meetings held in Vilnius, during which we:
- explored the deep connection between parents and children;
- examined the roles of mothers and fathers in raising boys and girls;
- reflected on women’s inner resources, the emotional state of adults, and its impact on family dynamics;
- looked for paths to self-renewal;
- envisioned our children’s future and worked through real-life parenting challenges in a changing world.
The meetings were facilitated by Svitlana Zaluzhna — a mother of three, a humanistic educator, a student of Shalva Amonashvili, and the founder of the Open Nations family camps, which have supported thousands of Ukrainian families during the war.
Meeting Topics
Meeting 1 — Raising a Child or Raising a Person?
An introductory session devoted to understanding the essence of parenthood: What kind of person am I raising? What challenges am I facing today? What can I rely on in times of change and crisis?
Meeting 2 — Who Raises Me?
A session focused on women’s resources, values, identity, and the emotional state of parents as the foundation of a healthy family atmosphere. We asked ourselves honest questions and searched for inner balance.
Meeting 3 — The Role of the Mother in Raising Boys and Girls
A discussion on gender-specific aspects of parenting. Should boys and girls be raised differently? How does our presence shape the lives of our children?
Meeting 4 — Spiritual Connection with Children
We talked about family values, intergenerational bonds, and key stages in a child’s personal development. Why don’t children always want to be like their parents? How is a person’s spirit born?
Meeting 5 — Raising Children in a Guest Culture
The final dialogue-based session featured Lithuanian families. Together, we explored similarities and differences in parenting traditions and the role of community in building a supportive environment for children.
Support. Dialogue. Self-Discovery
These are not lectures. This is a warm, living space where every participant could:
- pause and reflect on their role as a mother or father;
- ask themselves important questions: Are we moving in the right direction? What does my child and family need right now?
- receive sincere support in a safe environment, among others with shared experiences and concerns.
