PARENTING January 9, 2006 Issue

LET YOUR CHILDREN PLAY, WITH LOVE

LYDYA OMONDI

IN THE VILLAGE IN KENYA where we live, there are no fences separating houses. People share a common ground—the land. The children roam about as they play. Sometimes quarrels arise, and the mothers' voices can be heard calling and inquiring as to what's happening, after which all the children will be called into their houses.

A playmate of our younger daughter, Marlina, once hit her with a stone and then quickly ran home without apologizing. When I found out about it, I was so disturbed that instead of reassuring three-year-old Marlina, I just went out of the house to look for the boy who had hit her. But since he was already indoors, I couldn't gather the courage to go into this boy's house.

I went back home, furious and annoyed. While I was still holding on to negative, fault-finding thoughts, my daughter told me that she wanted to go back out and play. She appeared undisturbed and not ready to join me in my anger.