A Murang’a parent has called on parents to keep their children productively engaged during this holiday so as to aid in their personal development and as a means of ensuring their safety.
Githuki wa Nyokabi who is a father of four said that it is the responsibility of all parents to keep their children close so as to mould and correct their behavior as they grow.
“I know many working parents are busy, but I challenge all of us to create time for our children,” he said, adding that’s the only way to know what is really going on in the lives of the children.
Wa Nyokabi said that engaging the children in meaningful activities such as learning new skills and sports will help keep them busy as well as mold their behavior.
“The holiday is long and the parents should use that time to nurture talents and other skills instead of letting the children stay idle,” he said.
“The children should learn how to play an instrument, visit a library or do something else they are interested in,” he added.
He also urged parents to monitor their children’s interactions so as to reduce the chance of the children being introduced to drugs and other harmful behaviors.
With the onset of the two-month end of year school holiday, Murang’a parents have expressed different views as they brace themselves for holidays.
Peter Kieni and Margaret Wanjiru who are also parents of three children said they are looking forward to spending time with their children who have been away in boarding school for the better part of the year.
“As parents, we have been busy with work for most of the year and our three children are in boarding school,” Kieni said.
We are glad to spend these few weeks with them and we will take this chance to go on holiday with our children,” he added.
Another parent, Margaret Waweru who is a mother of two, however, feels that the long holiday will be challenging for her due to the high cost of living.
“I will have to send my two children to the village to stay with my parents because things there are cheaper,” she said adding although she will not be able to stay with them, she will be visiting them every weekend.
At the same time, Peter Mulei, a father of two, expressed that his biggest concern is that children may get into trouble when they stay idle at home for so long.
“It is barely a week and I have already solved three petty cases involving my children,” he lamented.
He noted that the children need safe and healthy activities to keep them busy during the holidays.
“They can play from 6.00am to 6.00 pm without getting tired,” he said, adding that that energy ought to be redirected into meaningful activities.
Mulei urged parents to take good care of their children and engage them in age appropriate and productive activities to help their development outside the classroom.
By Natalie Ooko
