If so, I am looking for 3 young people that want to learn new skills this new year for free.
I will be running a free graphic design course and computer training course every Tuesday morning at 11am for an hour. It’s a 2 month course.
At the end of the program, you will be able to:
Create logos,
Social media graphics,
Flyers
YouTube banners
Thumbnails
Business cards
Web designs
Creating Ebook
Creating and self publishing your own children’s book
and other marketing materials.
Learning about graphic design can make you more marketable in many industries. Many job roles require basic design skills, and having a basic understanding of design principles can make you stand out in the job market.
I just came back from a one week trip to Manchester. Lots of great things happened. I love Manchester. We visited many places and I love their food and the malls.
But what I love most about my trip to Manchester was spending time with my granddaughters Theodora (20 mth old) and Athena (5 years)
The first 2 nights were really great, I loved every bit of our time together.
But on the 3rd day all I wanted was to rest, sometimes I wonder how young parents cope with looking after their children day in and day out.
Don’t get me wrong I love them but it’s so exhausting after spending a whole day with both of them.
Anyway, let’s get to the point of today’s post.
No two children are the same. Every unique part of them makes them who they are.
My older granddaughter is a very calm and highly sensitive child, while the youngest is very active. She can sleep through loud noises. Theo loves to play, she loves jumping on the bed and climbing things. She loves anything to do with throwing. She is also very independent, she knows her way around an iPad. She plays games on iPad independently and she can say a full sentence and she’s only 20 months old as the time I’m writing this blog (31/12/23)
My oldest granddaughter Athena is a calm collected girl. She’s very sensible about things.
One day her mum told me how she checked the writing on a sweet pack of its suitable for her little sister to eat 😃.
Her teacher onces told her mom that she’s a very smart girl and that she uses big vocabulary to explain stuff to her in class. Athena’s school reports are filled with good grades and full of praise from her teachers. I think she’s a nerd.
I love both of them equally because they are both unique and special in their own way.
I love that they look out for each other. Of course they do fight like all sisters do, but they love each other.
I love it when I catch Theo hugging and touching Nina’s hair (that’s what she calls her sister)
Just wanted to share how my trip went with you guys 😃❤️❤️
Wishing you guys a wonderful and happy New year!
May 2024 be a better year for you and your family.
Make 2024 a year that you will spend more time with your loved ones, remember to create more memories in the new year!
I have also decided to travel more in the new year, I will visit new places alone (God help me with this one)
Do you want to do something special for yourself and you have been putting it off?
DO IT NOW!
PLAN THAT TRIP – WRITE THAT BOOK – START THAT BUSINESS
Dear parents, goal setting are important in life because they give us a sense of direction and purpose. When we have goals, we have something to work towards and this can help us stay motivated and focused, even when things get tough.
This is why helping your children /teens set and achieve goals can help set them up with great habits for life.
Here are some tips on how I helped my son set achievable goals each school year❤️
Break Big Goals into Little Goals
Let’s say your child wants to learn how to read. That is a really big goal, but on its own is quite daunting. So, break that Big Goal into smaller, bite-sized goals. If you use your child’s school phonics curriculum, for example, your child’s goal could be to complete one lesson a week. (If your child is in reception or year1 you should have some sort of phonics curriculum, if not ask your child’s teacher for one)
Using this method would allow them to make steady progress toward their Big Goal—learning to read—while celebrating successes along the way. (And they would start reading and blending three-letter words in Week 9!)
You can also send me a DM if you need help with this, we can help!
Ensure Goals are Realistic
It’s also important to help children keep goals specific to things they have control over. For example, a goal of getting 100% on every test is not realistic. That depends on the test, how the teacher is marking, the child’s understanding of the content, and a million other things.
BUT… they do have control over how much they study. A better, more attainable goal would be to review notes every night for 30 minutes, or to study for a certain amount of time before each test.
Keep Goals Short-Term
This one is especially true for the little ones. For your youngest, you should focus on a small, attainable goal that he can accomplish in about a week. For example, to do up the laces on his own shoes.
Build on Goals (Or Switch it Up!)
If your child’s goal is accomplished in one week, then… What’s next? Build on that goal! So, if your little one’s goal was to tie his shoelaces, perhaps their next goal could be to learn how to zip and button a pair of jeans. Or maybe their next goal will be to learn to clean her own dishes!
Kids’ interests change like the wind, so it only makes sense that their goals will too.
Celebrate Success!
When your child achieves a goal. Please tell your child how proud you are of them, and let them tell you how proud they are of themselves. Share their achievements with friends and family.
Share your own goals with them. Children copy what they see. Lead by example. If your children hear you talking about your goals and celebrating your successes, they will want to as well.
My son is 19 years old now and I am so happy that he still set goals for himself. And we do celebrate his achievements and accomplishments together. I’m so proud of the man he is becoming.
Remember a goal without a plan is just a dream. So make an action plan on how to achieve each goals you set with your kids.
I hope this helps 🙏🏾🥰🥰
Happy parenting 🥰❤️❤️
Olu ❤️❤️❤️
WHEN WE KNOW BETTER AS PARENTS WE MUST DO BETTER –
Teenagers get a lot of bad press. Some of it is true some of the time but we think that, actually, teenagers are pretty awesome. Here’s why…
When they’re really into something, they are REALLY into it. They read about it, research it, debate it and get you thinking and talking about the causes closest to their hearts.
Whether it’s to eradicate Alcoholism or to stop hunger in Africa.
My 19 year old son once told that he is going to make a YouTube video about Alcoholism in the future! He doesn’t understand why people think drinking is normal and if he tells people that he doesn’t drink alcohol they think something must be wrong with him!
He knows alcohol is poison, so he doesn’t get it why someone would want to poison themselves.
He wants to be 100 percent all the time. Alcohol is depressing and poison. He has seen what alcohol can do to people and he doesn’t want that for himself.
He went ahead and said his body is a temple and why would he ruin his body with alcohol. He said he has a bright future ahead of him and he doesn’t want any poison to ruin his potential.
Teenagers have a very strong moral compass, that is not yet weaker by cynicism of the disappointments life can throw at you.
So when they care about something they really care, and they can make you care too.
I know – teenagers can be moody, they can be self-centred, they can give you attitude that pushes all of your buttons but these traits don’t define them. We all know toddlers have tantrums but we don’t think that that is ALL they are. In fact, when you think back to the toddler years you remember your child as super cute, brilliantly funny and utterly gorgeous. Even if they did embarrass you by having a major meltdown in the shop.
Similarly teenagers shouldn’t be reduced to the negative stereotypes that make up a tiny fraction of their beings.
Happy holidays guys, My name is Olu, I’m a mother of 4 young adults and a grandmother to 2 beautiful angels. Every Tuesday I share positive parenting tips here on this platform and on my blog to help and support any parents like me. Because let’s face it, parenting is hard work, but it’s a very rewarding job as well. Most of what I shared are from my experience as a mother and as an educator. I also share because I care.
So today, I’m going to talk about a Boy Child, how we can support them at home and as a society if we want them to be all that God created them to be.
I am a mother of 3 boys/men and I also have brothers, nephews and male cousins.
So today’s topic is very important to me because of a lot of things that are happening to our boys/men.
I have also decided to make it my mission to talk and educate and support our boys in every way I can.
I think society has let our boys down by allowing them to just be and not educating them on how to behave and act. We assume that they are strong by nature so we didn’t think it’s necessary to talk, or teach them how to be a man, like we do with our girls. Why do we do this?
I don’t think we should be silent anymore. We see a global crisis facing the boy child, and now is the time to pay attention to it.
As a result of this, I think we must begin to focus our attention on the boy child; he needs to be protected from the negative sway of society. There is an urgent need to focus on the home and the schools to nurture the boy child. Parents need to create an environment in their homes where boys can freely express their thoughts, feelings, fears, and ideas. It is then we can know and discern what is going on with them and guide them right.
I remembered when I was growing up, I had 3 brothers and I can’t remember them being at home at all. It’s always me and my sisters who took care of the house.
Even now in some homes where there are boys and girls children. Most boys are left to just be, and the parents only focus on the girls. They talk to the girls, hard on the girls and give them chores to do, while the boys are just there playing games all day. This is wrong and I think we need to change the narratives.
So what can we do to make sure our boys turn out well in the future.
I think the best way to do this would be to start from when they are little.
Dear parents please let’s start including your boys in the chores and give them responsibilities at home. Talk to them about stuff, allow them to express themselves and listen to them.
Allow them to show emotions and let’s stop assuming they’re ok or they don’t need us. They do need us!
If as a parent we can try to change our perspective of how we treat and how we see our boy child, and pay more attention to them like we do our girls, I think with time there will be a turnaround.
Boys’ lives matter too!
There is more to say on this matter so stay tuned …
No matter what the things your teen says, the way you respond to disrespect is important because the type of discipline you use influences how likely it is for the behavior to continue.
So for example; let’s say you say something to your teenager and she talks back to you. And you decided that you’re not going to take that from her! So you shouted back at her and said something like; “Who do you think you’re talking to, give me your phone and go to your room right now!!!
The question I want you to ask yourself is; – ‘Did your teens learn any lesson after that’?
Of course not.
You may think they did, because they stopped being rude to you.
Let me tell you, the only reason they stopped being rude to you is because of what’s at stake. 😊
They may not be rude to you at home but I’m sure they are rude at school and outside because they don’t know how to control their emotions.
So really they haven’t learned anything from your reaction.
However, what if I told you that there are better ways to get your teens to stop being rude or talking back to you and shouting out.
It’s called self regulation. Self-regulation is the ability to remain calm, cope with big emotions, and respond appropriately to situations.
A lot of time our teens don’t know how to regulate their emotions because no one shows them how.
I remembered the first time my son spoke to me rudely. I was in shock, and I couldn’t believe it.
I shouted at him and told him to go to his room. I was so mad that I was going to take away everything from him. My ego was crushed 😃
I later sat down with him when we were both calm and explained that he didn’t have to like what I had decided and that it was okay to be angry with me, but it was not okay to show that kind of behavior.
Though the experience was painful, I made sure not to get pulled into a power struggle with him over it.
My goal is to raise my son to be able to function in the real world and go on to be responsible adults who can live on his own.
So I tried my best to be conscious about my intentions and my daily interactions with him and try to lead by example.
Dear parents, we need to remember that every interaction we have with our children/teenagers is indirectly teaching them.
What you say to them is very important. And how you say things to them also matters. It’s all about your tone!
So here are FIVE things to help you handle disrespect:
Don’t take it personal. I know this is a hard one, but try not to take what your teens are saying or doing personally. This behavior really is all about them trying to make a point, and not about you.
Stay calm and don’t react (I know it’s easier said than done, but remember we are the adult here, so we need to be able to control ourselves)
Avoid power struggles! Your job is to parent your child and teach him to behave differently.
Be a Teacher and a Coach: It’s your job to teach your teens to behave more respectfully and manage frustration better.
Lead by example. (remember kids learn by watching adults)
My final thought
Being a parent is a daily job. If we want things to be different, we just have to do some work.
You are not alone!
Ask God for guidance and maybe join a good parenting community if you need help. Remember we are all in this together. ❤️❤️
Please remember there is no perfect parent anywhere.
Dear young people, You’ve got so much raw talent that’s within you. Utilize it and make your money! Don’t allow your gifts to go to waste.
You don’t have to just sit back and watch other celebrities come up, get focused and get yours, too! Grind and make your dreams a reality.
Put in the hard work. Be dedicated to yourself. Create an online presence and put yourself out there where people from all over the world can witness your talents. There are so many platforms online that will help propel you to where you want to be. Get busy!
You know that you’ve got something special! Why not allow the world to see it? Don’t be afraid of success!
Stop talking about it and be about it. Don’t doubt yourself!
You have to start making smart choices in your life because, if you don’t, the judge won’t have any problems locking you up and throwing away the key.
FYI: They’re charging minors as adults in some cases nowadays. Trust me, they don’t care about your life. They will wash you up in a heartbeat, simply because you’re a black male.
Following the crowd will get you caught up. Trying to play the hard role will get you caught up. Trying to show out for others just to make a name for yourself will get you caught up. Stealing, robbing, selling drugs, etc…it will all catch up with you sooner or later.
The statistics for black males in prison are alarming. Give yourself a chance! Find another way!
No matter what upbringing you’ve had, it’s up to you to make a change. You can’t live your life making excuses for why you do what you do.
Prove them all wrong! Prove to yourself that you’re better than the life that was dealt to you.
Make sure you ALWAYS do the right thing always! You’re much better than that.
Choose your friend wisely.
Treat girls with respec.
Always do the right thing.
Be wise and focused at school.
Always DO YOUR BEST!
Trust your guts!
Be excellent in what you do. Being kind is cool too
YOUR LIFE MATTERS – So make sure you are intentional about everything you do daily.
God be with you!
YOU ARE GOD’S SON
Dear parents please share this post with your boys. And please continue to pray for them and all our boys! God bless us all 🙏❤️❤️
Parenting is hard work. I’m sure you’ll all agree with me if you’re a parent.
However, parenting a teenager is another ball game entirely!!!.
I should know because my last baby is 19 years old.
For those of you that don’t know me, I am a mother of 4 young adult children between 35 and 19 years old and a grandma to two beautiful girls.
So I know one or two things about being a parent. They say we learn from experience and most of what I share with you guys on this platform is from my own experience of being a parent.
So today I’m going to share a little bit about parenting teens.
As parents we need to have a lot of patience and lots of love for our teenagers.
Teenage years come with lots of ups and downs. I should know I have one at home.
One minute they will be sweet as lolly pop 🥤 and the next minute they will be so rude and annoying that you would want to slap them. (Please don’t!)
But in those moments you must keep your cool and you shouldn’t react to their behavior o – I know it’s hard, but you can do this.
I think as parents, if we really take time to get to know our teenagers or pre-teens we will find out that they are easy to be with.
What I realise about my journey with my son is that he just wants me to listen and understand him. And I try to listen most times, but I’m human so I missed it sometimes and when I notice this, I tried my best to reconnect with him more.
Sometimes as parents we get into lots of power struggles with our teens just because we’re impatient and we want to control things. This won’t work! You can’t control your teenagers, I’m sure you know that already.
Another thing that really help me to understand my son when he turns 13 was reading books on teenage brain.
I learnt a lot from reading parenting books and research.
It’s no brainer, if you want to learn about new stuff you must study that stuff. Knowledge is power.
Reading parenting books will help you a lot if you’re raising children.
Also, be patient with them, they’re going through a phase and it will pass. Trust me. They need us to be the adult. Remember our kids mirror our behaviour.
Please don’t get me wrong o, I’m not saying their hormones are to be blamed for all their bad moods or misbehavior.
My point is that let’s try to look beyond our teens’ misbehavior and let’s focus on the good things they do. If we change our approach they will change too and you will be surprised!
Also, I think we should try and respect their privacy and boundaries. And LISTEN more!
They are no longer children, they’re almost an adult and we should treat them like so if we want to have a great relationship with them.
Of course we still need to set boundaries because they need it.
We also need to realize that what our teens really want from us parents is to understand them and love them for who they are, not for what they’ve achieved.
I would also like to point out that when you notice that your teens are acting out a lot, that’s the time for you as parents to show more love to them and be more supportive of them. (Remember when a child/teens are acting out in school there’s always a reason behind every behavior.)
Dear parents, I beg you please, your teenagers need you, be there for them no matter what! (You’re all they’ve got)
At the end of the day, what all our children really want is someone to listen to them and love them for who they are and isn’t that what we all want?
Let’s make our home a safe haven for them.
Appreciate them when they do good things.
And let’s continue to treat all our children with respect and kindness 🙏🏾🩵🩵🩵
My final thoughts:
So dear parents, if you want your teenagers to be patient, responsible, respectful, caring, considerate, thoughtful and kind and more. THEN BE ALL THAT TO THEM AND OTHERS! It’s that Simple! (They are always watching)
Does my child have ADHD? (He is too active and he never sits still)
Has your child’s teacher let you know that they think your child has ADHD?
Teachers are often the first ones to suspect ADHD in children. That’s because ADHD symptoms affect school performance or disrupt the rest of the class. Also, teachers are with children for most of the day.
But teachers can’t diagnose ADHD.
They can tell you what they’ve noticed, but after that, you would need to get a professional to evaluate your child to see if they have ADHD or if something else is going on.
I think the school are too quick to diagnose boys to suit their own interests (that’s just my opinion)
This is something I felt passionate about!
Before you take the word of your child’s teacher for it, I will suggest that you do your research too.
I don’t think you should give your child medication because the school says to do so. Get a second and third opinion before you do so.
Most boys are energetic and full of energy, but school environments are not built for most boys who are active! So some of these boys are then labelled, or they suggest you use medication to modify their behaviour.
Yes I said it.
I used to work in school and I see what this medication does to children first-hand. Some of these medications give children headaches and change their personality.
Boys are energetic, they should be allowed to play more! But the school system is not built for this, so they use medication to modify the behavior of bored boys.
Please don’t get me wrong there are cases where some boys may need medication to calm them down. However before you put your son on any medication please make sure you get a second opinion.
You know your child!
Please dear parents, if you think your child may have ADHD, I suggest that you read and learn as much as you can about ADHD and it’s treatment.
In addition – Please remember this post is for awareness and to start a conversation. It’s not a diagnostic criterion, I’m a teacher, not a doctor. But I have seen what these medications do to some boys.
Positive Parenting With Olu 