The recent discovery of six-year-old M. Tishant’s body in Rompin has sent shockwaves across the nation. As investigations continue, neighbours are now coming forward, revealing troubling signs that may have gone unnoticed or unaddressed in the weeks leading up to the tragedy.
Kamarudin Abdullah, 47, a neighbour of the family, shared that frequent arguments between the boy’s parents could often be heard from their home. He also recalled hearing the child crying on numerous occasions.
“The parents rarely interacted with the neighbours and mostly kept to themselves unless it was something important,” he said, as quoted by The Star. “It’s truly heartbreaking to hear what has happened.”
Kamarudin added that he had not seen the young boy in over a month. According to him, the parents were seldom seen together and would only appear individually in the neighbourhood from time to time.
Children are keen observers. Even before they fully understand the words being said, they absorb the emotions in a room the raised voices, the heavy silences, the tension that lingers after a fight. Home should be the safest place for a child, but when it becomes a battleground for arguments, it can leave behind wounds that are invisible yet deeply scarring.
Recently, stories have emerged that remind us just how vulnerable children are when the adults around them are in conflict. Loud arguments, the sound of a child crying, and then silence. These are not just tragic headlines; they are wake-up calls.
Why Arguing in Front of Children Matters More Than We Think?
Children who grow up in homes filled with shouting, blame, and unresolved conflict often experience confusion, anxiety, and fear. When parents fight, especially in front of their children, it doesn’t just damage their perception of family, it alters their emotional and mental development.
Arguments, especially intense ones, can make a child feel unsafe or at fault. Many children internalize the conflict, blaming themselves for the tension they don't fully understand. Over time, this can lead to issues with self-worth, trust, and their ability to form healthy relationships.
Divorce Isn’t the Problem - Neglect Is
Divorce is sometimes necessary. When two people cannot coexist peacefully, separation can provide healing. But what becomes dangerous is when the emotional needs of the child are sidelined during or after the process.
Divorces that are filled with bitterness, manipulation, or neglect leave children feeling torn between parents, or worse, completely overlooked. Some children become tools in a custody war. Others are passed around like responsibilities instead of being nurtured with love and attention.
No matter the circumstances between the adults, the child must never be forgotten. They need stability, not chaos. They need patience, not punishment. They need to be heard, not blamed.
Parenting Is a Privilege, Not a Power
Parenting isn’t just about providing food and shelter. It’s about showing up - emotionally, mentally, and physically. It’s about recognizing that children mirror the behaviour they witness. If they grow up seeing hostility, they will likely carry that pattern into their own lives. But if they grow up seeing compassion, calm conversations, and healthy conflict resolution, they will learn to thrive.
Every parent is human. Mistakes happen. Emotions spill. But the key is reflection - asking, “Is what I’m doing helping or hurting my child?”
What Children Truly Need?
- A safe space to grow without fear.
- Parents who manage conflict respectfully.
- The freedom to express feelings without judgement.
- Stability in routine, affection, and communication.
- Assurance that they are loved, no matter what happens between the adults.
In the end, it’s simple: Children should never be the collateral damage of adult problems. Whether a couple stays together or parts ways, the commitment to parent with love, patience, and responsibility must remain firm.
Because at the heart of it all, children don’t need perfect parents. They need present ones.
Image Credit : The Times of India
Source : The Star