A MOTHER RAISING GIRLS

Before the many things that I alluded to last week that maketh me, I am a mother.  And yes, I am not a perfect one for that matter, after all my children did not come with a ‘How to Raise Children” manual or any form of guidelines.

I am simply doing the best I think I can and in the process make mistakes. I often beat myself up for them but then again forgive myself as these are the very same mistakes that shape our lives and put so many things into perspective as I journey in this unpaid but very fulfilling role.

Bad and good days, so many emotions and all, I still would not trade this role for anything. In fact, it’s one of the best that life gave me.
There are many perfect mothers out there but I will share my personal perspective about my own reflections, experiences and challenges to date.
The biggest challenge and yet exciting phase I am in is raising a teenager. She is sassy and stylish, independent and strong. She loves dressing up and making her own choices.

Her clothes all look the same to me, yet she says she looks different in each and every one of them. I’m often told it’s all about slaying, don’t ask me, I am also not too sure what that means as yet.
My worry is how am I going to ensure that she appreciates the abundance that growing up in the country offers, but remains sensible and keeps safe? I have observed some form of jungle I fear for her. The jungle is online, the danger, sleek and sassy, just like her. Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and WhatsApp and the many said to be cool and free Apps that the youth are into.

CHOICES
As a young woman, my upbringing was not much different from the rest of my peers. Poverty, hard work and domestic violence, sometimes my menstrual period kept me three days away from school, simply because there were no sanitary towels.

But I persevered and saw the journey through and here I am, trying to guide my daughter through a much smoother route. How do I do this without being seen as being to strict or the not cool parent? Throughout my childhood and for a very long time, I could not clearly differentiate achievements, choices and success. I frankly would align these with marriage.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: