How Are We Supposed To Raise Clean Kids?

You guys remember that commercial by OMO where they say DIRT IS GOOD? Obviously that campaign hasn’t aged well given the current circumstances but apparently they did some research and found that “…learning through messy play is essential for a child’s development”
So how are we supposed to raise clean kids? Heck the boy goes out for 2 minutes and as soon as he walks into the door we all shout SANITIZE!
Warris this now…

We really went from shouting GO OUT and PLAY to DON’T GO OUT and DON’T TOUCH ANYTHING!!
It sucks that they might never know what normal was before this flu.

See how we grew up was leaving your house after lunch and coming back before dusk looking like you were homeless and your parent wouldn’t care much because that’s how everyone else looked!

Btw I dare anyone who had a better childhood than mine to raise his hand. Or hers.
We climbed trees, hid under cars while playing hide and seek, and played marbles in the dirt — nowadays? They have an accent from watching peppa pig and the irony is that they never get to jump in muddy puddles like Peppa & George.

Kama iyo imekupita ni juu wewe si mzazi bado, utafika apo siku moja.

Anyway, as parents we are suffering. This rona thing is hitting us a good one. I don’t think there’s anyone in history who’s had to raise children who keep this level of hygiene –- in the beginning, washing our hands constantly was fun for the boy because he could play with water. But little by little, day by day, washing hands is becoming more of a chore to him.

Juzi I told him to wash his hands so that we can beat Corona then he asked me why Jesus hasn’t beaten it yet.
Kinyangarika!

Now I’m realizing how tough a job teachers have. That’s why tunakosanga kulipa school fees tunakuta watoto nyumbani. They can’t handle their audacity and our poverty at the same time.

But honestly this is a cry for help for parents. We need a book or movie or session on IG Live that shows us how to raise clean kids…mind you these are human beings who lick their toys in the name of cleaning them. Where do we start?

Yesterday as we were heading out, this little man went from 3rd floor mpaka chini while holding on the guard rails. CAN YOU IMAGINE! Who knows what those rails have seen… argh! I had to wipe his hands and face with wet wipes. Now we just have to wait 2 weeks to see if it worked.

Also has anyone else noticed how hard it is to keep a mask on these people? Ngai, it’s IMPOSSIBLE! They start eating it, and sometimes confuse it for a hat!
I just can’t.

I saw South Africa’s prezzo being confused by his mask and honestly didn’t get what all the fuss was about. You should see my son with that thing. It’s like he’s at war with a piece of cloth…and he’s losing.

So who’s going to start a masterclass on how to raise clean kids? This is some unchartered waters that could use some exploration.

Until then, I’ll be listening to my sad Kikuyu playlist!

Signed by,
A parent in this year of our Lord, 2020.