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Wahu Kagwi reflects on parenting journey
08th July, 2026 10:09 AM
Kenyan singer Wahu Kagwi has shared her thoughts on parenting, saying the first five years of a child’s life should focus on love, safety and emotional support rather than pressure to perform.
Speaking in an interview shared on her Instagram page on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, the mother of two said she has come to understand the importance of a child’s early years, especially when it comes to mental and brain development.
Wahu explained that young children do not need to be pushed to master skills such as colouring within lines or basic mathematics before they are ready.
Instead, she said children need to grow up knowing they are loved, accepted and supported even when they make mistakes. “What my child needs to know is that she’s loved, accepted unconditionally, not only when she does the right things,” Wahu said.
“She needs to feel she’s allowed to make mistakes. She needs to know that this is my family and that we have got her back,” she added.
Lessons from raising an older child
The musician said becoming a parent to an older child has changed how she views motherhood with her younger child. Her firstborn is now a young adult , a milestone that has made Wahu think about how quickly children grow.
She recalled carrying her daughter when she was a baby and said it feels like only yesterday, despite nearly two decades having passed. “My firstborn is now a young adult. Just the other day she was a baby,” she said.
Wahu added that the experience has made her calmer and more present as a parent. She said she now makes a deliberate effort to enjoy ordinary moments at home, including the noise, mess and affection that come with raising young children.
Appreciating the small moments
The singer said she no longer feels the need to rush her child through different stages of life. She explained that, as a younger mother, she often looked forward to the next milestone and wondered when her firstborn would start doing certain things.
However, she now believes every stage has its own value and should be enjoyed while it lasts. “I’m waking up very intentional about appreciating this moment,” Wahu said.
She noted that moments such as a child running around the house, breaking something or asking for a cuddle may seem small, but they are part of the memories that shape family life. “Those moments are so beautiful, and I’m not in a rush,” she added.
She said motherhood has since taught her that being present matters more than trying to appear perfect.
Her remarks offer a reminder to parents that children do not need perfection from those raising them. They need patience, love and the confidence that home remains a safe place as they grow.
