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Lina and Adli’s Journey to Stronger Parenting
Life as a food vendor is hectic, but add three young children to the mix, and it feels like a whirlwind. My husband, Adli, and I live in Negeri Sembilan (Malaysia) with our little ones—Auliya, who’s five, her elder sibling, aged seven, and her three-year-old sibling.

Adli works shifts as a security guard, and while we both work hard to make ends meet, we’ve often felt like we’re failing our children.
Auliya, our middle child, has always been energetic, but recently her tantrums and defiance have escalated. Her outbursts were a wake-up call. Adli and I realised our long hours left our children feeling neglected, and we struggled to connect. We desperately wanted to be better parents, but we didn’t know where to begin.
Then came the Naungan Kasih Parenting Programme through Auliya’s preschool. At first, I was sceptical. A fun onboarding session, a chatbot on WhatsApp, and a digital support group didn’t seem like they’d solve our challenges. But we gave it a try—and it transformed our family.
One simple change stood out: dedicating just five minutes daily to undivided attention with our kids. It seemed so small, but those moments became precious. I’d sit with Auliya, chatting or colouring together, while Adli played games with the others. Gradually, Auliya’s behaviour improved—she became calmer, more cooperative, and even excited to learn at school.
For me and Adli, the programme wasn’t just about parenting tips; it was about healing our family. Those five minutes taught us the value
of presence over perfection.“Even five minutes can mean so much,” I tell
anyone who’ll listen. Our home feels warmer now, filled with laughter and love. We’re far from perfect, but we’re finally thriving— together.