Popular activist Boniface Mwangi recently opened up on how parents should relate with their kids, especially on sensitive topics during an interview with Mic Cheque.
Mwangi accompanied by his 19-year-old, pointed out that there’s a thinking among some of us who think and expect society and religious leaders to take care of their children.
Although this might be the case in certain situations, Mwangi insists on having conversations about sex, drugs, and alcohol with kids.
He went on to say that even though we might assume that they are not taking part in these activities, it was important to put it out there in the blank for them.
“Just because you think they are not having it, doesn’t mean that they are not having it.” Letting your children know that when they take part in unprotected sex, they might contract infections like herpes, and all that makes them cautious by default and not by fear.
Demystifying “Taboo” Topics Through Open
Communication
According to Mwangi, hiding things from your children causes more harm than good. “I drink alcohol as well as my wife, but we don’t go on hiding it.”
He explains that although there might have been situations where his kids tampered with his liquor, he went ahead and had conversations with them so they wouldn’t grow up doing things in hiding.
Cultivating Personal Effort Over Academic Pressure
Unlike many parents, Mwangi says he doesn’t check or bother himself with his children’s grades for one reason. He claims it takes personal effort for one to improve and want to do better for themselves.
“Unless it’s very bad, I don’t check, and I don’t care.” According to him, “mwanaume ni effort, mtoto pia ni effort.”
Mwangi’s stance is that he will do his best to introduce you to the world, but academically, that requires personal effort. Clearly that is exactly what he has been doing with his 19-year old Nate who recently graduated.
