A retired principal has asked men to be friends with their wives.
According to Philip Ombura, a retired principal of Awendo Centre of Excellence, men should ensure they cultivate a good friendship with people at home, with their wives topping the list.
He says this is important because when one retires having spent the better times enjoying life outside, home would be a place of isolation.
“To my colleagues, make friends, first of all, with your wives. If she is dead, look for another one. You need support,” Ombura says.
He advises men who are still working to avoid spending money with strangers, but rather with their families.
According to the retired principal, men should make it a habit of taking their wives on dates. He warns them of having extra-marital affairs, but rather spend the time and money with their wives
“Instead of falling asleep in your own bed, whisk your wife away to a hotel. Splurge on this little getaway and savour the anticipation of a night away from the ordinary. The next morning, awaken to a fresh, enchanting new environment, ready to create beautiful memories together,” Ombura says.
He tells his fellow men to plan well saying that failure today is failure tomorrow whereas failure tomorrow is early arrival at the grave, adding that there is no shortcut because tomorrow can be tough and demanding.
Ombura advises men to also keep their children close.
“Don’t let the mother go for school visitings alone. There is a conference mothers hold with the children and say ‘I am the one who has come.’ She won’t even say you facilitated her with transport money or ulilipa fare,” he says, stressing on the importance of fathers going to visit their children in school.
He says that men need to avoid instances where children grow knowing that the person who has struggled with them is their mother saying that their fatherly roles need to be seen.
He, therefore, stresses on fathers being present in the lives of their children.
Most importantly, he warns them against visiting their children while carrying newspapers alone.
“If you are going alone, ensure that the mother gives you the food she normally takes there. As the child eats, eat together while you talk,” the retired teacher says.
Moreover, he tells men in their retirement age to hold onto friends whom he says are important as one gets off the stage of active work.
“The only people you remain with are friends. Those friends are only the ones you made,” Ombura remarks.
He tells men who are nearing their retirement age to ensure that they walk regularly, ensure they have money in their pockets and be in possession of a health insurance cover that would help them get regular tests and know how their health is fairing.