How Early Is Too Early for Makeup

 As an impending parent a few years ago, if anyone had asked me how early I'd allow my child to wear makeup, I might have said maybe when she reached the double digits (10) or maybe even teenage years. It wasn't something I was necessarily beholden to, but somewhere in my mind, I think that would have been my answer. This comes from my thoughts that kids are growing up seemingly much faster than previous generations, as well as the not-so-great effects of social media on their minds, confidence and self-esteem. 

Happy Mothers Day! Three Generations of Ada!

About a week ago, Coco decided she wanted to wear her black and white "princess dress" for the day. She's worn it several (more like a hundred) times, but for some reason, on this particular day, I had the bright idea to dress up in black and white stripes as well. I thought it would make for a fun little Mummy and Me photo shoot, and since my sister who's taken all our Mummy and Me photos is with us riding out the pandemic, I quickly roped her in. I just wanted a few photos that I would eventually share, and in about 10 minutes or so, we were done. 

A Day in the Life of Social Distancing

This blog post is inspired by the one I saw on Cupcakes & Cashmere. I thought it would be pretty interesting to share what a typical weekday has been like for Coco and I in the past few weeks. Today is Day 24 since we started actively staying home. As I mentioned in this post, a teacher in her daycare was positive for the virus and her daycare was shut down for two weeks. While they reopened after the mandatory quarantine period, I did not feel very comfortable with sending her back - especially since the governor in our state had shut down public schools already.

Menstrual Cups: I made the switch, and Ask Me Anything!

I was 11 years old when I first got my period. It was in a Mr. Biggs in Port Harcourt - back in the days when Port Harcourt made sense and security was not an issue. I remember smiling to myself because my mum had started talking to us about periods, boys, relationships, etc. I quickly went to let her know and she hugged me, welcoming me into "womanhood."

Life Lessons to My Daughter

I shared this post on Instagram last week and I think it's worth sharing here too. As a mother, a lot of times, I wonder about the things I want to teach my daughter. I want her to grow up knowing what my life has been like, and hopefully learn from me.

Four More Things I Learned About Pregnancy

It's been a while since I was pregnant - more than two years, and earlier in the year, at a reader's request, I shared some of the things I learned during pregnancy. I wasn't sure if I would be able to come up with anything, but before long, I had a much longer post than I originally anticipated and chose to split them into two. I was also a little concerned about sharing too many mother-themed posts and decided to space them out. And so, today I'm sharing 4 more things I learned about pregnancy. See the first part here.

Mummy and Me: Dashiki

I've got another set of Mummy and Me photos to share with you today! I had a different shoot to share, but I can't find the memory card that has those photos... so sad. However, we can make do with this new set of "And co" photos! For this photo shoot, Cocoa and I wore African dashikis! Are there non-African dashikis, come to think of it? Where do dashikis really come from? See here if you're interested.

Mommy Oyoyo Podcast

I did something new!!! Something that has been on my mind since last year actually. I had this idea (like many other ideas), and spent so much time wondering if I could execute it, if I should execute it. I thought about it, over-analyzed, "did research," and did everything doable without actually doing much about it. Well, last week, I decided to JUST DO IT! And I'm pleased to announce my new baby...

Mummy and Me: Dornubari's Apparel

Before I got pregnant with Cocoa, I knew I wanted to have two children - a boy and a girl. I didn't think it out loud, but I think I hoped that my first child would be a girl. I didn't have any particular reasons though. Maybe because I'm the first child? Anyway, some of the things I looked forward to when I knew I would have a daughter included being Mummy-Daughter best friends, playing with makeup (which she does already), and also dressing alike in matching Mummy and Me outfits! Now, my husband does not like to dress in matching outfits, but I can do what I want with my daughter in that regard, and I got another chance with Dornubari's Apparel (see our Christmas photos for the first time we had a Mummy and Me shoot)!

Mum Guilt and How to Get Over It - Part 2

Hey there!

In my last post, I shared a few ways that I have experienced Mum Guilt since becoming a mother. As a refresher, it is generally defined as "the feeling of guilt, doubt, anxiousness or uncertainty experienced by mothers when they worry they're failing or falling short of expectations in some way." Like I said in that post, a lot of it is in our heads and not based on facts. Today I want to complete the things that have caused me Mum Guilt. In the first post, I covered Breastfeeding, Career, Hair Care, Health and Finances. Check out the other five things below and how I have tried to get over them.

Mum Guilt and How to Get Over It - Part 1

Happy Belated Mothers Day!

I typically would put up a Mothers Day post, but missed out on it this year - I'm really trying to find the best ways to manage my time. I had a wonderful weekend with my family and I'll share photos of Cocoa and I in our Mummy and Me outfits soon enough. In the meantime though, I want to talk about a topic that's been on my mind for a little while: MUM GUILT.

I never thought about mum guilt before I got pregnant and had Cocoa. No wait, that's not true. I had a minor guilt trip for a few minutes one day when almost everything on the news was bad, and I wondered whether it was a good thing to bring a child into such a flawed world. That's not exactly mum guilt though. According to ActiveKids.com, Mum Guilt is defined as, "the feeling of guilt, doubt, anxiousness or uncertainty experienced by mothers when they worry they're failing or falling short of expectations in some way."

I don't think there is any mother on this earth who has not had Mum Guilt in one way or another, or at several points in motherhood. Sometimes it can be debilitating and make you feel shameful and unworthy, and like a failure. But the truth is, in my experience, a lot of it is unfounded and baseless and can be overcome. I'm going to share some of the areas in which I have experience Mum Guilt and what helped me get over it.

What I Learned About Pregnancy

It's been two years since my pregnant days, but when I asked on Instagram what posts people would like to see, someone asked me to share some of the things I learned about pregnancy. I aim to please, and so, here are my top 10 things I found out during pregnancy. There are a lot more things about pregnancy, but I wanted to share based on MY experience.

BERRY VLOG: Dark-Skinned Mamas, Light-Skinned Kids

Have I ever shared on the blog that I once met a man who refused to believe Little Miss Cocoa is my child? As in, he argued with me for 30 minutes, insisting that my sister is her mother. All this because I'm dark-skinned and Cocoa is light-skinned, just like my sister and her children. Do your kids look different from you? So much so that people feel the need to comment and ask if you're sure your children are yours? Are you dark-skinned with light-skinned children, or vice versa? 

In this video, I chat with Remi Makanjuola of @GraceToParent and we share our thoughts on responding to questions and comments we have received from strangers, friends and family alike. We also talk about how we plan to teach our children that beauty comes from within and the color of your skin should not define your worth.

Why I Don't Want to be a Mummy Blogger

Can I be honest with you? As in, really honest? I do NOT want to be a Mummy Blogger. There is nothing within me that wants to be referred to as a Mummy Blogger (or Mommy Blogger for the Americans). You can call me a Blogger who's a Mother/Mum/Mom, but please do not refer to me as a Mummy Blogger. I realize it might look like I dislike those who are Mummy Bloggers, but I really don't. More grease, spit up, powder, and general children bodily fluids to your elbows! You guys rock! I'm sure you're wondering why Mummy Blogging is not for me? Well, scroll down to see why.

Ten Tips for Reading with Toddlers

I used to worry a little bit about building a reading habit for my baby. I read and heard many times that you should start reading to your baby while pregnant, and every day after they're born to help them discover a love for reading. I had a little bit of a rough start and had some mum guilt festering below the surface, but thankfully, my toddler loves to read!

Sleep Training a Toddler with Baby Sleep School

I got my first Christmas present already! FINALLY, I think I can definitely say that Little Miss Cocoa has been sleep trained successfully. Our journey here has been long and full of tears from her (AND me too). I've practically passed out at work from sheer exhaustion. There were starts, then stops, then restarts and more stops. I've been yelled at, scolded, reprimanded by well-meaning older family members because they don't agree with leaving a baby/toddler to cry. Basically, it's been a long road to get here! And thanks to Baby Sleep School, we have finally arrived!

BERRY VLOG - Mummy Tag with Cocoa

Hi there!!!!

I have a new FUNNY video up on my YouTube channel, and my most favorite guest, Cocoa is featured quite prominently! Check it out below and make sure to LIKE, SHARE and pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease SUBSCRIBE to my channel!

BERRY VLOG: What I Have Learned About Motherhood

Hi there!

Thank God it's Friday! And since it's Friday, I thought I'd give you something fun to watch this weekend. I have committed to at least 1 blog post every week, and 2 Youtube videos per month. This is the second video for September and I shared 10 things I've learned since I became a mother. But guess who else features in the video - COCOA!!! It's a really fun video and I'm sure you'll enjoy seeing her antics while I try to film - this video was my third attempt to film and I'm happy with the results. Please don't forget to LIKE the video, but most importantly, SUBSCRIBE!

Thanks a bunch!

I hope you enjoyed the video. Have a pretty weekend!

A Day in the Life of a Working Mum

Hola!

How was your weekend? Mine was kinda busy - I had a fun time meeting with a group of women who came together to pray for their husbands. The hostess had reached out to me as a reader about a year or two ago, and then we finally met this weekend! Even though my blogging has been here and there, I know that it's been a blessing to me (and from what others have said, to them as well). 

Today I want to share what the typical weekday is like in my world. I think that a lot of working mothers will relate to this post, and agree that it is TOUGH! 

My Breastfeeding Story

Last week was World Breastfeeding Week, and I thought now would be a nice opportunity to share how breastfeeding went for me after the birth of Cocoa. But before I get into it, can I just say that sometimes I still feel astounded that I have a child. As in, I have a daughter! It's just amazing and I thank God every day for her life! From sharing our struggles to conceive, and then our pregnancy, and labor/delivery - it's just amazing. Cakes and I have really been blessed and shown immense grace by God.