Spare The Rod, Spoil the Child 

Growing up, I hated being caned. Then, unlike now, the rule against corporal punishment was ineffective. Caning was therefore part of our lives, both at home and in school. I therefore did the right thing most of the time so as to avoid punishment. With time, values were instilled.

This however is not the case for the children being raised up currently. If you dare lay a hand on that child, you are setting yourself up for trouble if not with the parents, with the police. Consequently, these kids have become spoiled brats. Sadly, we are to blame.

I have a younger brother. He is about 10 years old. By now he should be able to attend to a few light chores in the house say washing utensils. Unfortunately, he is a very irresponsible boy. He litters the house with his clothes. If you ask him to do something, he refuses saying that “mum hakuniambia nifanye. ..” It goes on and on.

I remember this one time I went home and for an hour, he was being asked to do the same thing but it didn’t bother him. I thought to myself “wow, this is new.” When I was growing up, if my mother called you twice, you knew that you were in trouble. Better put, “kitumbua kimeingia mchanga.” The Swahili say “Samaki mkunje angali mbichi”  to mean, character should be moulded while children are still young.

If we are going to have a generation that practises integrity, then we need to address the root of the problem.   It begins with how we bring up our children. Mould the character of that child while they are still young; commend them when they do something good.. Don’t assume that that is what is expected of them. It will encourage them to keep doing the right thing. Again, do not refrain from punishing them when they are on the wrong. They’ll thank you for it later on. Do not let guilt lead you on into raising a spoilt brat just because you feel that you weren’t there enough and so you have no right to correct them. But then again, do it in love… Make them understand why it is wrong.

Proverbs 13:24 – He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him. 

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