We’re too quick to confine children and demand maturity too early. We had our freedom to be loud, curious, and imperfect, why deny them the same? Let children be children.
"we need to remember that children are not failing to be adults. They are succeeding at being children."
Such a keen observation. I've always had to catch myself when I say that we should yeet babies into dustbins. Maybe it's because we also came up in families where we were only to be seen not heard. Now we're extending it to the children also not being seen. I really think that it extends to the way we don't care for them when they speak about harms they experience. We want them to be adults about it and learn quickly about how to care for themselves.
In our defense, we have started seeing so many kids with absolutely no manners whatsoever running around, some kids of very close friends and relatives in such a way that if we do see the next kid in that cafe with a mild resemblance in manner with that very kid you know well, it tends to irritate you. But I guess "wacha watoi wakue watoi" is a pretty good slogan which will be repeated again and again if I find myself in that situation
I fully support kids being kids, but parents should be mindful of shared spaces. Not every place is child-friendly, and that’s okay. It’s not about disliking children it’s about respecting others too.
Kids are kids and that is just that. If I could touch on the trend of hating kids, it is ridiculous btw, because when a kid irritates you through behaviour, then you carry that as the general character of the kid, then you are the wrong one. Kids will always follow how they are moulded by adults, and they are little angels whom we mould. That should just be that
While taking my walk, there was a kid who was trying to outrun some dude who was ahead of me. And she just seemed to be having fun, just existing. The one thing I was sure of, though, was her mom would call her back to "behave" but really here was a kid who was just being whimsical. Something we have lost, especially sisi watu wa Nairobi. We are too serious. I don't have kids, I don't like ill-mannered kids, but we have placed an expectation on kids to grow up so fast. And i fear they will lose personality.
Sometimes as a parent ni ngumu kupata balance. Yes you want your kid to experience the whimsical joys of childhood, but then again there is the safety component that you have to bee keen on .
This is such a beautiful refresh pull. The wee part about absence of public environs for play and childlikeness in rural-urban areas is deeply resonant for me having grown up in Dandora. Also, ironically I share a repulsion for children, my self diagnosis was, i was given the implication that i should be meek and unexpressive in adult spaces, HOW DARE THEY violate that?
Growing up in Nairobi in my days, there were no play areas or playgrounds but we still had fun outside. Nowadays kids do not have the place or the safety of playing outside and this brings conflict with the parent and kids. Kids want someone to play with and the parents want a peaceful space to relax and so the solutions most people go with is ‘Grow up’.
The kids in my building must be really agreeing with you POV. Right now I can hear their "playful" screaming from 4 floors up. Not saying it's irritating but also not denying it might be a little bit.
I recently realised that my perception of children is just a projection of how young me was made to feel...I will be selfish enough to not bring children in this world even with the slightest chance I will make them feel unwanted.
Capitalism has killed community and prioritized productivity…children (who are yet to be indoctrinated into the capitalism cult) are a threat to that…plus yk, patriarchy and how it has continuously disadvantaged mothers and older siblings…
We’re too quick to confine children and demand maturity too early. We had our freedom to be loud, curious, and imperfect, why deny them the same? Let children be children.
Thank you for the reminder.
"we need to remember that children are not failing to be adults. They are succeeding at being children."
Such a keen observation. I've always had to catch myself when I say that we should yeet babies into dustbins. Maybe it's because we also came up in families where we were only to be seen not heard. Now we're extending it to the children also not being seen. I really think that it extends to the way we don't care for them when they speak about harms they experience. We want them to be adults about it and learn quickly about how to care for themselves.
Thanks for sharing this.
In our defense, we have started seeing so many kids with absolutely no manners whatsoever running around, some kids of very close friends and relatives in such a way that if we do see the next kid in that cafe with a mild resemblance in manner with that very kid you know well, it tends to irritate you. But I guess "wacha watoi wakue watoi" is a pretty good slogan which will be repeated again and again if I find myself in that situation
I agree there are mannerless kids out there and ‘Wacha watoi wakue watoi’ should not be used as an excuse for destruction
I fully support kids being kids, but parents should be mindful of shared spaces. Not every place is child-friendly, and that’s okay. It’s not about disliking children it’s about respecting others too.
Hatred never stems from the heart of a child, such a heart is too pure to produce hatred
Kids are kids and that is just that. If I could touch on the trend of hating kids, it is ridiculous btw, because when a kid irritates you through behaviour, then you carry that as the general character of the kid, then you are the wrong one. Kids will always follow how they are moulded by adults, and they are little angels whom we mould. That should just be that
You have nailed it 👌 👏 🙌🏽
While taking my walk, there was a kid who was trying to outrun some dude who was ahead of me. And she just seemed to be having fun, just existing. The one thing I was sure of, though, was her mom would call her back to "behave" but really here was a kid who was just being whimsical. Something we have lost, especially sisi watu wa Nairobi. We are too serious. I don't have kids, I don't like ill-mannered kids, but we have placed an expectation on kids to grow up so fast. And i fear they will lose personality.
Sometimes as a parent ni ngumu kupata balance. Yes you want your kid to experience the whimsical joys of childhood, but then again there is the safety component that you have to bee keen on .
Wow I love this. Thankyou for wording this but also keeping us in check
"Adulthood is not a destination that validates children's existence. They are human beings right now at their loudest and messiest."
For so long we have treated kids as sub-humans who need time to become humans at last.
This is such a beautiful refresh pull. The wee part about absence of public environs for play and childlikeness in rural-urban areas is deeply resonant for me having grown up in Dandora. Also, ironically I share a repulsion for children, my self diagnosis was, i was given the implication that i should be meek and unexpressive in adult spaces, HOW DARE THEY violate that?
Growing up in Nairobi in my days, there were no play areas or playgrounds but we still had fun outside. Nowadays kids do not have the place or the safety of playing outside and this brings conflict with the parent and kids. Kids want someone to play with and the parents want a peaceful space to relax and so the solutions most people go with is ‘Grow up’.
I love them all.
The kids in my building must be really agreeing with you POV. Right now I can hear their "playful" screaming from 4 floors up. Not saying it's irritating but also not denying it might be a little bit.
I recently realised that my perception of children is just a projection of how young me was made to feel...I will be selfish enough to not bring children in this world even with the slightest chance I will make them feel unwanted.
Capitalism has killed community and prioritized productivity…children (who are yet to be indoctrinated into the capitalism cult) are a threat to that…plus yk, patriarchy and how it has continuously disadvantaged mothers and older siblings…
I have always felt that many of us will grow into the parents we like to hate and call out for 'raising us wrong'.
I love this🙂↕️😍