Coach Taffy

🌸 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐮𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 – 𝑊ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑒 𝑌𝑜𝑢 𝐸𝑛𝑗𝑜𝑦 𝑃𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑀𝑖𝑛𝑑!🐣

Looking for a safe, fun, and meaningful way for your child to spend Easter? Join Coach Tafadzwa’s Easter Egg Hunt Program, specially designed for children aged 6 to 11 years. Happening at Number 10 Earls Road, Alexandra Park on Saturday the 4th of April from 11am to 2pm, this exciting experience blends fun with learning in a nurturing environment. Your child will enjoy an exciting Easter egg hunt, confidence-building activities, fun etiquette lessons through games, swimming, memory chess, toss and catch, and so much more.

The fee is $20 in advance or $25 at the door, and it includes lunch and a take-home toy. For your convenience, you can simply drop off your child and pick them up after the program while we take care of the rest—giving you peace of mind and them a memorable, enriching day. To register, contact +263773606728. 🎉

𝐏𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐲!

Imagine arriving home and finding your 11-year-old son with a strange new hairstyle you don’t approve of. His room is still not cleaned, he is busy gaming, and the friend he is playing with is someone you are not very comfortable with. The common parent reaction in that moment is to switch into full frustration mode — shouting about the hair, the messy room, the gaming, the friend, and the attitude all at once. But when a child hears five complaints at the same time, they don’t hear five instructions… they simply hear an angry parent. Most children will tune out and not even make an effort to address any of the issues.

As parents of pre-teens, you need to learn to pick your battles wisely. Instead of fighting every issue at once, prioritise. Ask yourself what matters most right now and focus on one issue at a time so it is easier for your child to understand and respond. When children feel overwhelmed by constant criticism, they shut down, but when guidance is clear and focused, they are far more likely to listen and improve.

On Saturday the 14th of March, I will be hosting a special workshop for pre-teens called 𝐓𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐞𝐞𝐧 I highly recommend that you send your kids as we help them prepare for the changes and challenges of the teenage years. You can get the details below.

𝐓𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐞𝐞𝐧

Turning Teen is that quiet, in-between season where your child slowly begins to change. One day they are playful and open, the next they want privacy, independence, and they start giving one word answers. The shift can feel sudden — but it’s actually a natural organic process which many parents miss because they won't be paying attention.

During this stage, you may notice mood swings, sensitivity about friendships or appearance, and more questioning of rules. Don’t panic and don’t take it personally. Your child isn’t just becoming difficult — they are becoming aware.

This is the season to listen more, react less, and stay emotionally available. How you respond during “Turning Teen” can either push them away or strengthen your connection.

🎧 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐯𝐬 📢 𝐋𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 – 𝐀 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬

Parents, one of the biggest reasons teens stop talking is not rebellion — it’s feeling unheard. When your child opens up and you immediately respond with advice, correction, or a long life lesson, they may quietly interpret it as, “You’re not handling this well.” Sometimes what they truly need is not solutions, but space. Not a lecture, but a listener. Listening communicates safety, respect, and value.

Guidance is important, but connection must come before correction. Before jumping in with advice, pause and ask, “Do you want me to help you solve this, or do you just need me to listen?” That simple shift can keep the door of communication open. This week, choose listening over lecturing — and watch how it changes the tone of your conversations at home.

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

Effective communication with your teenager starts with the confidence you build in them. When you affirm, encourage, and genuinely compliment your child, you strengthen their sense of self-worth. A confident teen is far more likely to open up, express their thoughts, and trust that their voice is valued at home.

Listening plays a powerful role in this connection. Being physically present is not enough — your child needs you to be emotionally available. Put aside distractions, hold back judgment, and listen with patience. Sometimes your teen isn’t looking for advice, but simply for understanding and reassurance.

It’s also important to ask questions with curiosity rather than pressure. Gentle, open-ended conversations about school, friendships, emotions, and experiences create safety and trust.

𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑠 ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑓 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚, 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑢𝑝 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑎 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛 𝑡𝑜 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑓𝑢𝑙 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑡𝑠 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑑. 💬❤️

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐤𝐢𝐝𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞’𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲

For teens, Valentine’s Day isn’t just about flowers and chocolates.It comes with pressure to date, fear of being left out, heartbreaks, boundary-pushing, secret gifts, leaked nudes, sexting, sexual experimentation, and emotional confusion.

This is a season when children & teens are more vulnerable than we realise.

👉 Before Saturday, make time to have a chat with your son or daughter.If you can, buy them a small Valentine’s gift — trust me, it can save them from a lot of unnecessary pressure.

❗ If you don’t talk to your kids, someone else will.

𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 (𝐨𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭) 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.

Sometimes I hear parents say, “I missed the opportunity — my child is already 14.”Truth is, you haven’t missed anything.Puberty isn’t a one-time lesson — it’s an ongoing journey. At every stage, new questions come up and new information is needed. Just like in school, revision isn’t harmful… it’s helpful.

And one of the most powerful lessons your child can learn from you about puberty and dating is that it’s normal and okay to discuss anything — to ask, to talk, and to be heard on the subject.

𝐀𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 “𝐖𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐲𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐮𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐃𝐚𝐲” 𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐞

Many parents wait for “𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤”— that one big, serious conversation about puberty.But here’s the truth:puberty isn’t a day… it’s a journey.

When parents try to cover the whole syllabus in one sitting, it often creates tension, embarrassment, and silence afterwards. Yet children don’t stop growing, changing, or becoming curious after that one talk.

Real impact happens in small, ongoing conversations.Little chats in the car.
Quick moments in the kitchen.Simple answers today, deeper ones tomorrow.

One teen once shared how her struggle with
po*******hy started from something as innocent as searching online how to shave. Curiosity led her places she never intended to go — simply because she didn’t feel safe asking an adult.

If parents don’t become their children’s first teachers, the internet gladly will.Move from one big lecture to many safe conversations.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐂𝐨-𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬

As parents, you often focus on what you say and do at home, yet your children are also being shaped by 𝑖𝑛𝑣𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑐𝑜-𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 — older siblings, seniors at school, prefects, teachers, sports coaches, and headmasters. These are the voices children observe daily, copy naturally, and sometimes trust more than adult instruction. The way these role models speak, lead, discipline, and handle pressure quietly teaches children what is normal, acceptable, and valued.

That is why it is important for parents to look beyond pass rates when choosing a high school. School culture, leadership, values, and the overall environment play a major role in shaping a child’s character, confidence, and long-term choices. Academic results matter, but the people who surround and influence your child every day matter just as much.

𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐓𝐮𝐫𝐛𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 : 𝑃𝑎𝑟𝑡 1

One day your child is chatty and close… the next day they’re moody, locked in their room, answering with “fine” and “nothing.” You might see dating messages, emotional chats, or even adult content in their search history — and your heart skips a beat. Take a breath. This is not because your child has suddenly “changed.” Puberty is a storm, and it hits hard.

Emotions run wild. Boundaries are tested. Silence increases. And if you panic, shout, or explode, you only make the storm worse. Right now, your teen doesn’t need a shouting parent — they need a calm pilot.

Are you a first-time parent of a teen? What changes are you noticing in your child?

“𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 — 𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝.”

As your child begins the teenage years, you may have noticed changes — mood swings, new interests, curiosity about dating, and even a sudden change in dressing style. It can feel confusing and overwhelming, but the truth is your child didn’t change overnight — their world did. Their body is going through puberty, emotions feel bigger and harder to control, school demands increase with new teachers and expectations, friendships shift, and they are slowly trying to figure out who they are. In this season, parenting needs a gentle shift: pause before reacting, listen before lecturing, and guide before judging. What your teen needs most is connection before correction, with clear but loving boundaries and reassurance that home is a safe place to talk.

💬𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒆 : Which one do you find hardest — pausing, listening, or guiding?
Be honest and respond in the comments section 👇🏽

If you’d like help understanding your teen better, I have a short, simple PDF that many parents have found helpful. To get a copy, kindly contact 0773 606 728.

A new chapter begins!

As you release your Form One into the high school world this week, pause for a moment.
Yesterday they were seniors in primary school — confident, known, leading.
Today, they are children again… starting from zero.

New subjects. Many teachers. New rules. New expectations.And at the same time, puberty is peaking, emotions are louder, hormones are confusing.Some will be asked out for the first time.
Some will feel pressure to date, to fit in, to grow up too fast.That is a lot for a young mind to carry.

So as you say goodbye, please choose your last moments carefully.Let them be moments of hugs, love, reassurance and joy.Avoid harsh words. Avoid snapping. Avoid reminding them how hard boarding school will be,how clumsy they are, or how life is about to “teach them a lesson.”

Those words can set a child up for a false start.
When pressure hits — and it will — they may already feel powerless.This is how a child who was head girl, top of the class in Grade 7,comes home with failures in their first term of high school.

Handle them with grace in these final moments.
Your words today will become their inner voice tomorrow.

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