Photo used for illustration purposes. Credit:PIKSEL
A Kenyan mother has sparked widespread debate online after openly questioning whether her teenage son’s unusually calm and withdrawn nature could signal a deeper problem, drawing mixed reactions from parents across the country.
In a post shared on the Facebook group Parenting Teenagers Hub for Kenyan Mums and Dads, the concerned mother described her 13-year-old as extremely quiet, uninterested in activities, and emotionally reserved, traits she said have left her worried.
“Who have had kids who are so quiet, no drama no talking no nothing, just soo calm and composed? I am starting to get worried for real,” she wrote.
She explained that even a family trip to the Coast failed to excite the boy, noting that he refused to take photos and appeared detached throughout the holiday.
“I took them to Coast and he seemed uninterested, hadi picha hataki,” the post read.
The mother added that her son recently declined plans for a birthday photoshoot and cake outing, asking her to go alone instead. According to her, the teenager rarely smiles in photos, avoids attention, and prefers sticking to chores and routines.
“Kwa picha hacheki… he’s never on the wrong, just doing his chores on time,” she added.
She compared him to his brother, who is more outgoing, stressing that both children have been raised with equal care and provision. The mum said her son has been this way since early childhood, prompting her to consider therapy.
“Is there anything to be worried? I was thinking of looking for therapy… am just being concerned,” she concluded.
The post triggered intense discussion, with some parents urging acceptance of introverted personalities, while others encouraged professional guidance.
The debate highlights growing awareness among Kenyan parents around mental health, personality differences, and the pressures of raising teenagers in today’s society.
Reactions;
Otieno Otieno: What do you want to take him to therapy for? So that he becomes interested in things that are Interesting to you? If he is functional and stays on the right side of issues you should let him be. He's probably both an introvert and a minimalist. Such people love solitude and don't see the big deal in flashy lifestyles and things that make normal people go crazy. To him the bare minimum is all he needs and that's not a bad thing.
Msingi Kilimo: Introverts find grace, peace, fulfilment in calm and quite spaces, I hate noise, events, ceremonies, crowds, except church and most times ntaingia praise and worship kama imeisha its preaching, take notes and leave.
Wanjuhi: You are doing everything for yourself , do you take time to ask what he would prefer?
Wairimu Gaitho: Be asking him what he'd want, don't get him what you think he'd want. Listen to him and allow him to be...Avoid comparison by all means. He'll come along.
Cathy Tedd: Huyo ni twin wa my son..went to visit him shule jana alikataa adi picha baana.
Mwala: Not every quiet child needs therapy. Some are just introverted. Let’s be careful not to force our personalities onto our kids we’re raising a very different generation.