“Enat”: Building Relationships
Community
Genet, one of the mothers who participates in ENP’s Parent Workshops in Yokneam, was asked by the members of her family where she goes every Monday. Genet answered that she learns in a group that guides parents. Her teenage daughter Almaz took interest and asked what exactly she learns and how does she learn it. Genet answered that the parents havediscussions with one another and through the discussions, they acquire tools for strengthening and improving their relationships with their children and for setting boundaries within the household. Almaz was very surprised and she responded, “Enat (mom in Amharic), you know it doesn’t bother me when you punish me. But it really bothers me when you yell at me when my friends are around. It insults me and makes me feel degraded. The other girls tell me that they feel so bad for me because I have such a mean mother. I would really like it,” Almaz continued, “if next time, you would quietly call me over to the side, and I would come, and then you could tell me everything you want to say - even get mad at me and punish me, just not in front of my friends.” Genet, overwhelmed with emotion, hugged her daughter and the two of them experienced a moment of closeness, feeling that they had a major breakthrough in improving their relationship. Together, Genet and Almaz are in the process of learning to be aware of each other's needs and how to respect one another.