Positive words nurture dreams

He will be the one shouting a loud and happy ‘hello’ to the traffic policeman on that ordinary day.

He will be the one to confidently walk to the supermarket attendant and ask where his favourite toy or snack is, and can he please have it.

When we visit a friend, he will be the one to ask whether he can have that second glass of soda because he is still thirsty.

Over the years, I have let him be, because I now know that there is nothing wrong with respectfully expressing oneself, or is there?

That is what characterises my younger son, who eats life with a very big spoon.

I did the same with his older brother, but now I have become a better parent, reasoning with them without putting them down in whatever way.

Even when big brother brought home a poor grade, I assured him he could make it, and praised him around other adults and children.

My mother is a very loving, practical and wise woman, but one thing I fault her over my upbringing is the constant criticism that did nothing for my confidence. I grew up with little sureness because at the back of my mind I could hear my mother admonishing me to do what she and others thought was right for me.

In the process I learnt to suppress a lot of my needs — and wants. Thankfully, over the years, I have learnt to speak up and ask for what I think is good for me.

Back to my son: He now wants to become the next president of Kenya.

Last Monday he asked me, “Mum, when am I going to be president?”

Brilliant boy

I looked at the confident and eager face looking at me and my heart did a little flip.

I answered that he has to be at least 35 years old.

Of course, it is my fault. I have made him believe that everything is possible, to expect the most in life.

The little man knows he is the most brilliant boy; he actually calls himself a genius. That is why he knows that being left-handed is not a minus but a plus.

When I first noticed that he was using his left hand to pick up and throw things, I was discouraged.

Then I realised I could not force him to use his other hand and let him be.

He would come home from school moaning that he was the only leftie in class, and I would tell him that lefties make good presidents.

So when he sees President Uhuru Kenyatta on television signing documents effortlessly, he takes note and says that one day he will be the one doing so.

As parents, it is important to say positive things to our children. What we say to them stays in their subconscious and affects their actions and self-assurance later.

Being positive about what young minds do and say moulds them into positive people with ambition, who will make the world that better place.