Wekesa encounter with parenting

Upcoming youngster. Kylan Wekesa racing in a motocross championship. PHOTO BY JOHN BATANUDDE

What you need to know:

The four boys that battled in 5th round of the national motocross championship in 85cc class last Sunday graced the back page of Daily Monitor on Monday, included Kylan Wekesa.

The four boys that battled in 5th round of the national motocross championship in 85cc class last Sunday graced the back page of Daily Monitor on Monday, included Kylan Wekesa.

I told you my son pushed me into this motocross stuff. It took him at least two years, reminding me daily before I made the first move and that shows the power of persistence.

Anyway, I have written about this before in my column, I bought him a 17-year-old bike because I really do not have any money available to be wasted something my children know. We discuss money things quite a bit because I do not want them to be surprised and if they can learn it from me the better. The guy pushed that old bike and I could tell from his face as if saying, dad I know you can do better for me.

I wanted him to show me he was hungry then I gave him a target to achieve which he did by March last year.
I bought him a 2017 bike that same month. I was the best dad that week.

Recently, my son tried to push for something. He said, “Dad why don’t you just say yes.” I told him as my son, the only thing I owe him is the truth because not many people will tell him the truth.
Much of that depends on the relationship he has with them. If I think the truth meant yes, I would say yes and if it meant no, I would say no. We have also agreed on that.

After getting the 2017 bike from achieving his targets, we discovered that when the bike got a problem it stayed long before it was fixed.

Besides we had not learnt how to handle it and therefore, many very costly and careless mistakes were made. We agreed, I would set new targets for a 2018 bike and this was based on the times he achieved and yes, he beat the targets and I bought him the 2018.

Anyway, he is now targeting 2019 with specific parts that will enhance speed which he needs if he has to be among the top three within the next six months.

We have both zeroed in on his reading targets. These are general books outside his required school reading. I tested him on Thursday morning after he came and he told me that he had read a whole book in less than two hours. Anyhow, I needed to cross check. Not that I don’t trust my son (in life trust but be willing to cross check as well especially things that are important to you).

I hadn’t read the book myself but I knew the younger sister had read it so I invited her quietly in our bedroom and she told me about the book in depth and I was so impressed with her. Armed with the content of the book thanks to my daughter, I invited him to the dining table and I was put to shame. The guy had the book in his head. I told him, I trusted him but I had the right to crosscheck. I reminded him, as his dad I only owe him the truth and he laughed. I now have to start saving for a brand new 2019 bike because I have to deliver on my promise to him.

I stopped underestimating children from the time I became a parent because I accepted they are human beings with minds of their own and we can only support them better when we listen to them.

We can only listen to them if we give them time and not on the things we spend money on alone.
The writer is an investment expert — [email protected]