This archive report was first published on 3 December 2019.
As schools close for the holidays, parents are left to navigate the challenges of keeping their children entertained and safe. But for one father, the season of breakages has already begun, and it's not just the kids who are getting into mischief.
My son, a budding footballer, had been itching to play with his new team in the estate. He was in full gear, with a white jersey, kicks, and a big smile, excitement written all over his face. But when he returned home with his teammates, one of them had a kick that packed so much velocity that it shattered a neighbor's car windshield.
The car in question was a metallic grey BMW X1, shipped in just mid-year. The owner was called from the house to come and look at the damage, and when she arrived, she was not happy. She slapped and pinched the shooter, followed by a harsh talk about the promised things he was set to lose because money set aside for them would be diverted into repairs.
After some discussion, it was decided that the cost of the repairs would be spread across the parents of the five kids on the team, with the shooter bearing the larger portion. My son, being the main culprit, had to pay Sh5,000, while the other four kids had to pay Sh2,000 each.
As a parent, it's not easy to see your child get into trouble, but I tried to take it in stride. I reminded myself that accidents happen, and that my son had learned a valuable lesson about responsibility. But as I looked at the shattered windshield, I couldn't help but wonder if comprehensive insurance would cover the cost of such happenings.
Meanwhile, I'm reorganizing my son's monthly budget to accommodate the Sh2,000 he had to pay out unceremoniously. It's a small price to pay for the lessons he's learned, but it's a reminder that parenting is not easy, and that sometimes you have to duck when you're a man.
