Speaking on the Omukeze programme on Salam TV, Ahmed said children who grow up feeling ignored or emotionally unsupported often struggle with trust, self-worth and emotional regulation later in life.
"The effects of parental negligence on children are not temporary," Ahmed said during the discussion hosted by Twaha Mukibi.
"They may act out, withdraw, or constantly seek validation in unhealthy places. What parents fail to give at home—attention, reassurance and structure—children will desperately look for elsewhere. And too often, they find it in the wrong places."
Ahmed, who describes herself as a mindful parenting advocate, said neglect is not always characterised by physical abandonment but can also manifest through emotional absence, missed opportunities to engage with children and failure to provide consistent care.
She said effective parenting requires more than meeting a child's basic needs.
"True parenting means showing up consistently, listening actively, providing structure and offering unconditional emotional support," she said.
"When parents choose presence over absence and action over indifference, they don't just avoid negligence. They actively build resilient, confident and healthy children."
Ahmed also encouraged parents to distinguish between discipline and punishment, arguing that children learn better when they understand the reasons behind expectations.
"Guidance explains; punishment only reacts," she said. "One builds trust, the other builds distance. Children who are guided don't just follow rules. They understand them, and that understanding lasts."
She stressed that while schools, religious institutions and communities play an important role in a child's upbringing, parents remain primarily responsible for providing safety, love and guidance.
"Every child looks to their parents for safety, love and guidance. But when parents neglect those fundamental duties, their children are left to navigate a world that suddenly feels cold, dangerous and indifferent," she said.
Ahmed urged parents not to strive for perfection but for consistency and emotional availability.
"Children do not need perfect parents. They need present ones. They do not need fear. They need understanding. And when parents choose guidance over neglect, they give their children the one thing that lasts longer than any lesson: the quiet confidence of being truly loved and truly seen."
The Omukeze programme airs weekly on Salam TV and focuses on parenting, family and community issues.