Some parents don't believe in apologizing to children. But in my opinion, children are people too, and they have feelings. When parents learn to apologize, they begin modeling what healthy relationships look like for their children. My parents are Jamaican, and I grew up in an era of children must know their place. As a child, you basically had no rights. You did as your parents said, even if it didn't make sense. You didn't dare question them, or tell them … [Read more...]
15 Things No One Warns You About When Parenting a Middle-Schooler
Parenting a middle schooler is no small feat. Middle schoolers are emotional, moody, and often hard to read. In fact, parenting a middle schooler almost feels like it requires a specialized degree! In my middle school counseling days, I learned a lot about this age group—lessons that have both challenged and encouraged me. When people found out that I worked with middle schoolers, the reaction was usually the same: “I could never do what you do,” or “God bless … [Read more...]
Bridging the Gap: How Parent-Teacher Communication Supports Multiracial Kids in School
As a school counselor, I’ve witnessed firsthand how effective parent-teacher communication can be a game-changer for students, especially for those from multiracial families. In today’s diverse world, fostering strong relationships between parents and teachers is essential in ensuring that children, particularly biracial kids, thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Whether you’re a Black mother of biracial kids or part of a multiracial family, these tips … [Read more...]
Essential Strategies for Suicide Prevention in Schools
As a school counselor, I recognize the critical role that schools play in the mental well-being of students. Suicide prevention is not just about responding to crises; it’s about creating a supportive environment where students feel safe, valued, and understood. In this article, I’ll share some key strategies and tips for suicide prevention that can make a significant difference in supporting student mental health. Raising Awareness and Educating the School … [Read more...]
How Understanding Stereotypes About Black Women Makes Me a Better Mother to My Mixed Daughters
Neck rolls. Attitude. Ebonics. Baby Daddies. Single Motherhood. These are just a few of the stereotypes that have long plagued Black women, and as a Black mother to mixed daughters, I often find myself facing these stereotypes in both subtle and not-so-subtle ways. Growing up on a military base, I was constantly surrounded by diversity. The stereotypes fed to me through mainstream media mostly went unnoticed. My Jamaican parents tried to prepare me for how the … [Read more...]
Amazon Gift Guide for Toddler Girls
I honestly can't believe it's already time to start thinking about Christmas gifts. I remember blinking and summer was over, and we were taking out pumpkins. I'm not mad though, because this is my favorite time of year. As a mom of four kids between the ages of 12 and 1 (whew that age gap is wild), starting shopping early is my jam. So I've created this Amazon gift guide for toddler girls. I'm also the oldest of 4 kids and almost all of my siblings are … [Read more...]
6 Easy Ways to Help Your Middle School Child With Organization
One of the best ways you can help your middle school child is to teach them how to stay organized. When I was a middle school counselor, I often had parents call me and tell me that their child was failing or struggling in a class, so one of the first things that I did was check their book bag. And the state of the bookbag usually tells me everything I need to know. I've seen bookbags filled with crumbs, folded papers that were months old, and folders that were … [Read more...]
Penelope’s Birth Story: Making Peace with a 4th C-Section
It's taken me over a year to write this post because it's taken me that long to put my thoughts into words. I never envisioned having a 4th c-section, especially after planning for a VBAC. Penelope's birth story was not one I had imagined for myself. Even though she was born healthy (and little) it was filled with lots of disappointment. I found out I was pregnant when I was almost in the 2nd trimester. That's almost unheard of when you've been pregnant 5 … [Read more...]
5 Effective Tips for Parenting a Moody Preteen: Expert Advice for Parents
Give your moody preteen some grace. They are living a life that is completely different from what we knew growing up. They are learning how to deal with the pressures of social media, online bullying, and what seems like an endless amount of advice (good and bad) about who they should be, sound like, or look like. It seemed like the toddler years lasted forever, but somehow I woke up to a preteen. And I'll be honest. I wasn't prepared. I spent 7 years as a middle … [Read more...]