KAIKAI'S KICKER: Fellow Parents, Don’t Explain, Don’t Apologize

Apparently, these parents are having to explain themselves after a relative posted a video on social media showing them using some tough methods to discipline their son…

And here is the reason Emily and her husband took the measures they did…

"I was trying to use another method to instill discipline… the way a child should be brought up," Emily explains.

So, theft was involved, and money was involved. And the reformed young suspect owns up...

The child says: "I was stealing money… I am sorry. That was a mistake"

And the father confirms there was no intention to cause harm – just a discipline-instilling session.

"We planned to scare the child," the father says.

To Emily and her husband… you owe no one an explanation for what you have to do to raise your child responsibly, as long as you do not break the law. Parenting is a lonely space, and every parent strives on a daily basis to carry out one of the toughest, unscripted tasks undertaken by the human race. Whenever parenting is discussed in certain contexts, judgment can be brutally harsh.

To Emily and your husband, remember the Kiswahili adage, "Asiyefunzwa na mamaye, hufunzwa na ulimwengu." Do not apologize. Do not explain yourselves. Just do your best in the interest of your child.