Nollywood Film Director Teco Benson Speaks on his Fatherhood Experiences & Advises on Parenting

Award winning film director and producer, Teco Benson, is blessed with five children. The actor, who got married at the age of 30, had his first child at 31.

In an interview with Punch, the actor shared his experience raising five boys, and also advised parents to monitor their children’s use of social media platforms.

Read excerpts from the interview below:

How would you define fatherhood?

“Fatherhood for me is a higher call of responsibility. It involves a lot of mentoring; a lot of hard work because every father wants the best for his children.”

What has been your greatest challenge as a father?

“Sometimes as a father, there are things one wishes to do for one’s children. But because the financial resources are not there, one has to make do with what one has. Also, the society is a problem. There is a way that would lead to a better tomorrow for the children and one makes all the efforts to set them on that path. But the kind of system that we have in the neighbourhood, school, etc, are not helping matters. One thus needs a lot of extra work to deconstruct the things they pick up in school. You have to be on your guard always. Also, social media has come with a lot of challenges. The cartoons we thought were not corrupt have their own challenges including the movies and several things around us.”

What do you think about parents having favourite children?

“It is very dangerous because it can cause friction in a family. Parents should be parents to all their children because they all have equal rights. Having a favourite child among children can cause sibling rivalry long after the death of their parents. Every wise father should be careful not to tread such a dangerous path.”

What vital advice do you give your children about life?

“I told them that to make it in life, they must be humble. I taught them to respect everybody no matter the person’s status.  My late father, believed so much in cause and effect, that whatsoever one sows is what one will reap. There was a day he called me and told me that anything I did would be on me and not on him because he trained me well. He told me that if I listened to him, I would turn out well in life. He added that if I became successful it would be for my own good. I am trying to make my children imbibe the good values and principles I learnt from him.”

How best do you think parents can monitor their children’s activities on social media platforms?

“I agree that social media is a kind of disaster for children. There are some things that young minds cannot control and only adults can. They should give their kids phones with no Internet if they have to use phones at all. It is the duty of every parent to monitor their use of social media.”

Photo Credit: Punch