Meet some talented and gifted Nigerian children making us proud.

Esther Okade is a Nigerian-British born Math whiz-kid who stands out among her peers as she is one of the very few 10- year old’s that is already a university undergraduate. According to CNN, this talented 10-year-old enrolled at the Open University, a UK-based distance learning college, in January and she is already top of the class, as she recently scored 100% in a recent exam. This outstanding youngster plans on finishing the course in two years and afterwards, going to do her PhD in financial maths when she is 13. AMAZING!!!

Amarachi Uyanne is a Nigerian born dancer and violinist who became a household name and youngest millionaire after winning Nigeria’s Got Talent in 2012.

Before she became popular she went to South Point Primary School in Benin. She successfully debuted in the music industry with the chart-bursting single “Amarachi Dance” in 2013.

Zuriel Oduwole is a Nigerian-American. She is a 12 year-old young speaker and education advocate who is home schooled through an online Californian system. She is already a ninth grader- two years ahead of the rest of kids her age. She has made 4 films and interviewed 14 heads of state. She has had the opportunity to talk to 21,000 children in nine countries.

Akorede Odukale also known as Koresax is a 13-year old Nigerian born child prodigy saxophonist. He was the winner of the Nigeria’s Got Talent Season 2.

Culled from www.goldenicons.com

Photo Source: www.goldenicons.com, www.360nobs.com, www.gistmania.com, www.ynaija.com

The post Meet Some Talented and Gifted Nigerian Children appeared first on .

HAPPY CHILDREN’S DAY

WE PRAY FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR CHILDREN

A PROMISING FUTURE, A FUTURE OF OPPORTUNITIES, A FUTURE OF CHOICES, A FUTURE OF FREEDOM.

THEY WILL SURELY SEE A BETTER NIGERIA !

The post Happy Childrens Day appeared first on .

Meet our Mum of the Month: Dr Nkechi Olalere

LagosMums interviews Dr Nkechi Olalere, a mum, doctor, producer and wellness coach. Enjoy this exclusive interview with our mum of the month.

Please introduce yourself.

My name is Nkechi Olalere also known as Dr Ketch. I am the Executive Producer of two wellness shows: Tips for Healthy Living with Dr Ketch and The Dr Ketch Show. I am a medical doctor and have made interesting career choices in this field. I moved from Clinical Medicine to Health Insurance and then Public Health. The latter is what brought me to media where I use my TV platform to educate people, especially women and children about wellness issues.
Tell us about your journey from pregnancy to delivery. 

Well, I have made three of those journeys and each was uniquely different. In my first, I could hardly keep any food down and so practically kept alive on a diet of fruits (mangoes) and very spicy vegetable soup. In the second, I could tolerate food and ate quite a bit of it. The most dramatic part of this second pregnancy was arriving at the hospital lobby and having my waters break right there. Imagine standing around in a pool of water…well that was me! In my final pregnancy, I tried to do everything I missed out on in my first two pregnancies: dressing fashionably and screaming my heart out during labour!

What do you love about motherhood? What are the challenges?

Motherhood is the most heart-warming job of all times. I just look at my children and my heart warms all over. In the midst of a bad day or a seemingly hopeless situation, the smiles of my children make me realise that life has been very good to me. The challenge is really that of learning how to deal with different issues with each child. I learnt a lot with my first and still keep learning. She will always be the one with whom I experience a lot of things for the first time and so, as I learn from her, I try to make it easier implementing the learning points with her younger ones.

What scares you most about being a mother?

When I had my first baby, it was the feeling of being entrusted with the task of moulding another human being’s life. I almost freaked out! Right now, I’m more scared of ensuring that I am modelling the right behaviour for them to emulate.

Any embarrassing moment as a mother?

Oh lots! I’ve probably lost the ability to feel embarrassed. The one that readily comes to mind was my first daughter’s first class party. I dressed her up in a lovely Cinderella gown with dress shoes etc. We then turned up in school and found everyone in T-shirt and jeans and they were all looking at us like ‘where are you all dressed up to go to?’

What are the top 3 skills LagosMums need?

Resilience, Patience and Focus

What is the funniest thing you have heard your child say?

I was in the very middle of smacking my son (don’t judge me, y’all) when he said, ‘Mum, violence is not the answer!’ That was so unexpected given the seriousness of the situation. I burst into laughter and that ended the smacking event.

What lessons have marriage thought you?

Patience and Politics

How do you balance working and family? Does the word “balance” still exist?

I focus on the serenity prayer. I change what I can and leave what I can’t.

How do you relax?

Lying in bed with a good book or watching my favourite shows.

What are your children’s’ names? Why did you give them these names?

My first is Omobolaji Ebubechukwu. Why? My husband wanted a unisex name (Omobolaji) such that people would never know from just hearing the name, if she was male or female. The second name (Ebubechukwu) came from my mum.

My second is Chidera Eniola. Again, the Eniola was given for the same reason as Omobolaji. Create suspense for whoever hears the name.

I named her Chidera (what God has written). I just woke up one day while pregnant with the name on my mind. I also wanted her to bear her Ibo name just so that people would always wonder at the combination of Ibo first name and Yoruba surname.

My last child, Olafisoye Chukwudumebi was named to reflect the fact that he comes from a royal family. His Ibo name came from me and means (God helps me to live). I have always loved that name and it was great to be able to name him that.

What makes LagosMums unique?

LagosMums is a great site with info about everything that affects a Lagos mum under one roof. That is unique.

What is your philosophy of life?

Dare to dream REALLY BIG and dare to go after and achieve it.

Share practical tips on how to balance it all? Can a mum have it all?

I think it’s all about prioritising. Loads of things need to be done but not all can be done at the same time. So, learn to focus on the priorities.

What is the difference between the way you were brought up and the way you are training your children now?

My children expect me to apologise if I mess up; I wouldn’t even know what to do, if my mum ever apologised to me when I was younger…probably wonder if she had a fever! We have a more open relationship with them than I had with my parents in a lot of ways…and I had a good relationship with my folks.

Are you a working mum? Or stay at home? What do you do?

I am a working mum. I run my own company…a wellness company called Northbound Consults Limited. We run Corporate Wellness Programs in companies and produce wellness content for cable and terrestrial TV.

How do you cope with nanny/help issues?

My children are not so young anymore and so I can choose to have the helps or not. Usually, when everyone is out, I don’t leave them in the house. I lock up and have them go to their quarters. When we get back, then they come in and start the day’s work…however much they can do.

What one thing do you think should never be missing from every home?

Love

What do you want most for your children?

The grace of God in their lives and an early understanding of what they are called to do.

The post LM Mum of The Month: Dr Nkechi Olalere appeared first on .

HAPPY DEMOCRACY DAY!

WE PRAY FOR A NIGERIA THAT WE WILL ALL BE PROUD OF IN OUR LIFETIME.

A NIGERIA THAT IS STABLE AND FREE OF VIOLENCE

WE ASK GOD TO TAKE ABSOLUTE CONTROL

AND

LEAD THE IN COMING GOVERNMENT ON THE RIGHT PATH.

AMEN

The post Happy Democracy Day Nigeria appeared first on .

LagosMums Fashion Looks – Monday Morning with a Positive Attitude

The post LagosMums Fashion Looks appeared first on .

Whether you want to or not, you do serve as a role model. —Brooks Robinson, American baseball player

What are your kids really learning from you? As parents, our children are picking up good habits as well as bad ones. No parent is PERFECT! We all have our strengths and weaknesses. The better we know ourselves, the better parents we will be to our kids.

Below are Tips for All Parents

All parents

• Know yourself. What are you good at? What do you struggle with? How are you striving to become a better person?
• Be intentional about how you parent. Focus on being a positive role model.
• Ask your kids what they are learning from you, you may be surprised at what they are picking up.
• Notice how you treat the mistakes you make (and the mistakes made by others in your family). Are you hard on yourself or have an attitude of learning from every mistake.
• Have a sense of humour about yourself and do not take yourself or life too seriously, when you can laugh at yourself you teach your children to be relaxed.

         Parents with children aged birth to 9

• At this age, children imitate the adults around them. They copy almost everything that you do—from helping others to swearing. Your child is like a mirror that reflects everything that you do.
• Children imitate not only their parents but other adults around them. If your child starts doing something negative that you do not do, trace the behaviour back to the source. Talk to the adult and explain how he/she is influencing your child.
• As a parent of a young child, you have a lot of demands on you in terms of parenting, earning an income, running a home, and more. Young children quickly pick up on your stress levels and moods, so pace yourself and avoid becoming overwhelmed.
• Do not be surprised if your kids ask you why its okay for you to yell when you are angry, but it’s not okay for them to do the same.
• Ensure you model good studying habits and taking work seriously. When your child does homework ensure it is done in a quiet, conducive environment.

        Parents with children aged 10 to 15

• Between these ages, your kids can really push your ‘buttons’. These buttons tend to be the weak and vulnerable side of yourself. When your kids hurt you, say so. If your kids are right take the point.
• Many kids at this age can be ruthless with their peers, ensure you model positive ways to interact so that your child feels your home is a safe haven to learn from.
• Have a talk with your child about how everyone learns and grows through life’s experiences. Discuss with your child how you are learning and improving yourself. Ask your child what he/she is focusing on.

         Parents with children aged 16 to 18

• At this age, you can begin to talk more about complexities of being human, such as being compassionate toward others. This is a good time to turn some real life situations into case studies.
• Periodically ask your teenager what makes it difficult to be a teenager. Listen. Ask questions. Ask your teenager how you can support him/her.

Even though they may seem to be mature, teenagers are still watching you. They’re still listening to you (even if they’re not doing what you say). They continue to learn from you.

Culled from www.parentingfurther.com

Photo source: www.pinterest.com, www.madzkills.wordpress.com

The post What Kids Learn From You appeared first on .

Life of An Expat in Lagos…

It was a stormy day in the August of 2007, and I remember this well as it was my first solo visit to ‘The Palms” at Lekki, undertaken for the express purpose of buying vegetables. I was  fresh off the plane and Nigeria was an adventure in itself.

My husband was laid up in bed with a slip disc and I knew no one other than my driver who was given strict instructions to “ Take madam to Shoprite and bring her back.”

Off I went armed with what seemed an obscene bundle of high denomination notes all to purchase vegetables for our essentially vegetarian diet. Shoprite was beautifully air conditioned and well lit with rows upon rows of imported vegetables crying out to be put into my trolley. Upon closer inspection I almost had a heart attack!!! 1 beautiful cauliflower being priced at N 2,600 {which I mentally calculated as being almost 800 Rupees} an amount which was more than 20 times what I would pay for the same in India!!!

I quickly returned the cauliflower and proceeded to look for tomatoes, potatoes, green chilies and squash, only to end up buying a fraction of the quantity I had initially planned on buying albeit for many multiples of what I would pay for the same back at home

The same price disparity applied towards most food items. I returned home that evening depressed and irritable when a cheerful Nigerian neighbour dropped in, Mrs. O just laughed and said “ This is Lagos O!” and she told me not to shop like an “Oyinbo”, neither term made sense to me then. 

This is Lagos… do not shop like an oyinbo
Click To Tweet

Thereafter I followed her to local markets like Jakande, Ajah and Falomo {under the bridge: as known to most Indians} where I can proudly say that I learnt to bargain with the best of them.

Now I just rattle what I feel is a fair price to the product I have in mind and most times I get the bargain I want! That coupled with a smattering of Pidgin English makes vendors more welcoming. I once told a shopkeeper {who as you surely know will multiply the price for his wares upon seeing a non-Nigerian in the market} “Oga, be fair O, if you cut my wrist I bleed blood and not dollars!”

That being said, the prices are still steep and the penny still pinches but one grows immune to it, one doesn’t automatically convert into rupees the price of things any more. I have learnt to live with a rule of the thumb “It’s a fair price if you take the cost of an item in India and multiply it by 10”, don’t ask me but a veteran expat told me this the first month I was here and I really believe it to be true.

My kids now eat Okro, Pawpaw and fried plantain in addition to Indian staples and that too purchased by me from a local market. It is not that I don’t shop from Shoprite, SPAR or La Pointe, like any expat wife, but these excursions are limited to special occasions.

As with any culture, adjustments need to be made here but Lagos grows on you despite its many challenges. I have been here for the past 7 years and have come to think of it as my second home.

Contributed by Radhika Roy

The post When in Rome….Life of An Expat in Lagos appeared first on .

Mums love their children and prioritize them above everything else. Mums still want to look good, flawless makeup that does not take forever to apply or need to be topped up often during the day. Here are some make up product tips that will last through school runs, office, meetings, grocery shopping and all that you need to get done in a day.

So when you have some “me time”, want to apply makeup that will last and is available locally? The list below is for you. All products recommended are “mummy pocket” friendly i.e affordable.

Foundations (considering Nigerian Weather)

Oily skin: Mary Kay Time Wise Matte, Tara foundation, Inglot AMC

Dry, Normal and Combination skin: Mary Kay Medium Coverage Foundation, Revlon Colour Stay Foundation, Maybelline Fit Me.

Acne prone, Hyper pigmented skin with acne scaring:
BlackUp Full Coverage Foundation , Black Opal Total Coverage Foundation, Milani concealer.

Powder (for use with foundation)

Powder for everyday use on the foundation should be light/mild. Simple oil block powder for oily skin will do or any translucent finishing powder for other skin types.

Powder (for use without foundation)

Powder for everyday use without foundation: BlackUp Two Way Cake, Mac Studio Fix, Tara Foundation Powder.

Eyeliner

Eyeliner recommendations Maybelline, Collosal Kajal, Milani Liquid Eye (preferably black)

Mascara

Maybelline or Milani.

Lipstick or Lip gloss

Depends on how bold you want to look. Nude, pink, red… My “go to” product for lips are Milani Lip Gloss and Lip Stick. I also love Tara Lip Gloss.

My next article will include a video on Applying Mum’s Makeup in 5 minutes.

Till next time, Remain Beautiful.

Contributed by Tope Mark – Odigie

Photo Source: www.shapesandcolors.com.ng

Is there a burning makeup question you have? send us as email contactus@lagosmums.com | or @LagosMums

The post Make Up Products Tips For Mums appeared first on .

Diary Adventures of LagosMums: DALM | Stay Open Minded – Flying Cars Are Here

I believe we are all creative by nature and our minds invent, adapt and create constantly. Children seem to always think out of the box and ask questions that seem incredulous and even funny to adults. They find it easy to stay open minded because they are still learning and are still figuring out the world they live in, they are trying to understand how things work. In all of this they tend to ask questions about things that they do not see and things they imagine should exist. 

Bill Gates imagined a world where there would be “A computer on every desk and Microsoft software on every computer”…He made it happen with sheer determination, hard work and based on his interest in computers. As a young boy he and his friends created a “Programmers Group” where they developed their skills. From what we seem to understand his parents were in tune with their son’s interest and intelligence and supported him.

Imagine if his parents had told him to forget his futuristic idea and told him to be content to study pre-law at university (I can just imagine how bored he must have been in these classes which probably accelerated his decision to drop out of college early).

It is worth keeping it in mind that we should not stifle our children’s’ creativity and imagination. In listening to what they are curious about we can guide them to continue to explore their interests. What children ask questions about the most can be a snapshot into the things they are interested in and their gifts and talents that are waiting to be developed.

The other day, my son asked me if there were flying cars. My intial reaction was to say no it is not possible cars don’t fly. Howevre before i could respond, he encouraged me to check with Uncle Google and that i should type in “How to make a flying car” and “Where to buy a flying car”. I did as he asked and i was surprised to find that there are many efforts going on to release the first flying cars – the inventors have gone past trying to invent it!.

He and his sis then started having conversations about the best use of flying cars. They reasoned that it should be to avoid traffic (we were currently in traffic). Then, they wondered that if everyone tries to fly when there is traffic, then there will be traffic in the air….smile

Thanks to google, I stumbled on several articles about flying cars (I am now intrigued myself) and read an article on Forbes that says the first flying car might be on sale as early as 2017. We also watched a video on You Tube about a flying car which looked like a helicopter on wheels, watch video of flying car here.

Such a simple concept but yet a powerful one. All minds have the ability to imagine, to create, to adapt and to invent. Let us stay open minded and allow our minds to be free to imagine and to explore. Thinking like children who see all possibilities helps me to truly believe anything is possible.

What are your children imagining and creating?

photo source: Forbes.com

The post DALM | Stay Open Minded – Flying Cars Are Here appeared first on .

LagosMums Fashion Looks – Yes It is a Rainy Day

The post LagosMums Fashion Looks appeared first on .

Baby proofing your home is necessary to ensure a safe home free from hazards for your baby. Babies are curious as they take in their environment and are constantly watching you. They will very evolve from staying in one place to being eager to get around.

As parents there are things you might overlook that are safe for you but a potential hazard for your child who does not see danger the way you do.

Of course we pray that our children are safe but we also do our part to keep them safe in the home. It is useful to discuss with the other caregivers especially nannies. This is a distracted generation, always on smart devices, watching a quick you tube, texting or on social media.

Objects should have their place – Put all sharp objects in a place where the child cannot reach. Look at things from a child’s level, close to the ground. Screwdrivers, shaving sticks, keep them in top drawers and away from curious hands.

Electricity – Keep all electrical fittings covered. They watch you everyday charging your phone and laptop so they might want to try it as well by sticking something into the plug. In Nigeria with fluctuating light, this could be even more dangerous. Keep loose wires and cables away.

Store chemicals up and away– Commonly used household substances like detergent, insecticides can be toxic to the baby. It is best to create a shelf up away from baby’s reach. A child crawled to the kitchen, opened the storage under the kitchen sink, spilled insecticide on the floor and inhaled the dangerous fumes. The baby became lethargic and had to be rushed to the hospital.

Avoid Burns – Disconnect curling irons, electrical irons, boiling rings when not in use and when in use keep baby or toddler away.

Avoid suffocation – Store all the nylon bags, dry cleaning bags away from the children. They are a common cause of suffocation when children put them over their heads or noses.

Keep baby secure – A diaper changing table can be dangerous if you leave baby on there even for a moment to get a change of clothes or diapers. Baby can roll off and fall. Get everything you need before changing baby, add some drawers to it so that you can keep baby’s items inside and close by.

Fire Resistance – Be sure to buy furniture that is flame resistant especially furniture in baby room. Install smoke detectors in all rooms and have working fire extinguishers in the home.

Furniture – have furniture safely installed in the house. Remove or replace furniture with sharp edges or glass. For example do not have a bookshelf that is unstable in a high traffic area where baby might try to climb up, there have been cases where such bookcases could fall on baby.

Cribs – do not keep cribs close to windows. As baby grows she can stand and try to climb. If crib is close to windows, curtains or blinds baby can climb on these and fall.

Stair guard – install a gate to protect baby from attempting to climb the stairs by themselves and risk falling and getting injured.

Clips – children while crawling can pull table cloths and spill items on themselves. Use tools such as clips for table cloths to protect.

Kitchen – keep knives out of reach, keep matches away. Cooker handles can look attractive to baby so do not let her into the kitchen unsupervised.

Water – whether you have a swimming pool or not, anywhere you have water be careful. Do not leave a baby or toddler unsupervised in the bathtub or around a basin of water.

Lastly just be aware, babies are meant to explore their environment so do not be more concerned about having a picture perfect house that could be potentially unsafe for your baby.

Make sure an adult is watching your baby and toddler at all times. There are many distractions these days and a caregiver might be there but not there.

It is safer to watch baby and carry her around with you even when you want to do something that takes a quick moment. A moment is all it takes for them to decide to explore. There are many tools and products to make it easier to keep baby safe – baby carriers, good old backing your baby, baby jumper and a play pen can also keep baby secure.

As always remember this phase will pass and you will be able to go to the bathroom without baby in tow.

Photo Source: dadforbeginners.com, webmd.boots.com, thebump.com

The post Baby Proofing Your Home appeared first on .

Summer Camps Guide Lagos 2015 edition compiled by LagosMums is here…

—————————————————————————————————————————————————

Are you offering a Summer Camp for children in Lagos this summer? Do contact us to be listed contactus@lagosmums.com

The post Summer Camps Guide Lagos 2015 appeared first on .

“Surely I am far too young to have an estate plan.” Many young people see no reason why they should start thinking of their demise when they are just starting out. Yet, imagine the lengths to which we go, in ensuring that our children are taken care of when we are just out of the house or at work. We check references of nannies or carers, we ensure that there are contact details in case of any emergency, and we leave clear instructions as to exactly how we would like our children to be cared for. Why then, would one delegate far reaching decisions as to their care or what should happen to your children should you never come back.

Thirty-year old Charles was a brilliant young engineer at Denver Engineering. He was married to Charity and they had two lovely children, three-year old Cynthia and her brother Christopher who just celebrated his first birthday. On a trip to Ibadan to attend his best friends wedding Charles was in a head on collision with a bus that ran out of control. He was killed instantly. 

Since she and Charles were married, 28-year old Charity had not worked and was totally dependent on her husband’s income for all the family’s needs. Charles died intestate; that is, without a will. When he joined Denver six years ago, he had completed the required documentation and since he was a bachelor, had designated his father as his Next of Kin. When she visited her late husband’s employer to inquire about his final entitlements, Charity was shocked to learn that his designated beneficiary was his 72-year old father who had 2 wives and 8 young children that stood to benefit from all his entitlements. Since he got married to Charity four years ago, Charles had forgotten to update his form.

Sadly, Charity had not developed a warm, cordial relationship with her in-laws, and received no support from them. Years of hardship and drastic change ensued; Christopher had to be withdrawn from his private school to be enrolled in a more affordable public school. They also had to move from their rented apartment in Lekki, as rent was due the month after Charles died, to a friends’ chalet whilst Charity began to review her options. 

This story is all too common. Many people begin their work life as a spinster or a bachelor at a time when they would have put down the name of a family member such as a parent or sibling as their “Next of Kin.” As the years go by, many forget whom they designated, until it is too late. When people fail to amend these important records it is their designated next of kin that will be officially recognized should the need arise. Where there is no will, many institutions will rely upon these records to carry out the wishes of the deceased. In some cases, the Next of Kin has since passed on which makes the issue all the more complicated.

In Western cultures, the choice of the spouse as next of kin is the most obvious one, for example, the mother of his children is generally the person in whom a man places the most trust. In Nigeria, it is more common for a man to choose his brother as next of kin. In the event of the husband’s death making the wife your next of kin will save her and the children a lot of hardship given the traditional extended family system where other family members often forcefully claim their brothers property. There are numerous examples of widows having to cope with not only the loss of their spouse but also of all their personal possessions and property.

Who is your next of kin? At some time or the other, you have probably had to fill out a form or some other documentation where you had to clearly state your next of kin. Many people don’t take this designation that seriously, yet this is an important issue particularly where the documentation you are completing relates to money matters such as investments in stocks, real estate, banking and insurance transactions. The filling of this simple form to reflect current realities has implications that can protect your family or cause much hardship to the ones you love.

Once you are married it is also important to revisit your will, if you have one, to include your spouse as a beneficiary. If you have not yet written a will, it is a good time to consider this as you now have new responsibilities. Many people assume that if they pass on, their spouse will automatically become beneficiary to their estate. If you were to die intestate, that is, without leaving a will,your property won’t simply pass to your spouse as you might think; strict rules rank your next of kin, and your property will be distributed according to laws of intestacy, which may vary from state to state.

It is only by having a valid will or other estate planning mechanism in place that you can protect your immediate family, including your wife and children, and ensure that your investments and property do not go into the wrong hands after your death.

Nimi Akinkugbe, Money Matters with Nimi , is a Money Management and Financial Specialist.Website: www.moneymatterswithnimi.com | Email: info@moneymatterswithnimi |Twitter: @MMWITHNIMI | Instagram: MMWITHNIMI | Facebook: MoneyMatterswithNimi

The post When Last Did You Review Your “Next of Kin” Form? appeared first on .

Welcome to The Diary of a LagosDad on Raising Toddlers

The noise jolted me out of my much needed sleep. At first I could not understand what sort of noise it was, but as I slowly gained consciousness I realized it was music; really loud, LOUD music. I looked at the bedside clock – 7.30am. It was Saturday, the only day I could sleep till mid-day. What was this loud music about this early in the morning?

I put on a t-shirt and went downstairs, as I approached the living room, the music became louder and more distinct; I could feel adrenaline pumping and my body becoming hot. I was quite upset at being awakened on my rest day by this sort of music. Walking into the living room, what I saw stopped me in my tracks.

My three year old daughter was standing in front of the TV, mimicking Beyonce’s dance steps and trying to sing along. I could not believe my eyes. I took in a deep breath. I watched her for about thirty seconds – hands up, leg shake, an attempt to sing along and a giggle. I scouted the room for the remote control and once I spotted it I moved to get her attention. “Hey Baby Girl; daddy needs a hug!” she squealed in delight and ran towards me.

Firmly in my arms, I made rumbling sounds on her neck, she giggled and squealed; “daddy stop, daddy stop”; right where I wanted her! I changed the channel to the kids’ station and placed d remote on a high plane I knew she could not reach. Thankfully Barney was on and he was leading a sing along. Crossing my fingers that she would not notice what I had done, I placed her down and began tickling her; more squealing- then she heard Barney singing; bingo, she looked at the screen and like magic joined in.

Very relieved that I had managed to change the channel before my daughter became exposed to more inappropriate music, I wondered why the parental control had not been activated. One of us had slipped up, would activate it later. Meanwhile I thought about what I had seen earlier on; a three year old soaking up the gestures and lyrics of a pop artist. How delicate.

Then my thoughts went to another place-would I like my child to emulate and exhibit such gestures later in life – The skimpy clothes, the over expression of sexuality, the crazy hair and make-up? I definitely do not want my daughter dancing scantily clad and using her body as a tool to sell music. But that is what I want, what happens when she is older and making her own decisions? What can I do as a father to equip my baby girl with the tools to make the right choices in life? I am a dad, I have a daughter, and it is my responsibility to prepare her for woman hood as much as her mum.

My resolve has led me to share with you my style of parenting. My name is Zack, a LagosDad and this is my diary.

Photo Source: drjohnblog.guidetoself.com

The post Diary of A LagosDad On Raising Toddlers appeared first on .

More on Parenting Etiquette

Contributed by Janet Adetu

I hope you liked the first set of tips on parenting etiquette, here is more on parenting etiquette for you  to consider.

• Respect for Elders is a Must

Some cultures do not play around with the need to respect those who are older than you. Respect for the elders should not just include the very elderly, but any adult who is much older than that child. When your child sees people that are much older, it is a rule that they greet them with honour and respect, offer to help or assist them at all times when needed without being asked. A respectable child will always be seen as well behaved child; likeable and lovable.

• Which Knife? Which Fork?

A well mannered child shows best traits while dining and at the dining table. Without running the risk of laying too much emphasis on culture, your child should know basic dining etiquette, and proper behaviour whilst at the dining table. Do not allow your child to be too comfortable using the wrong method of cutlery usage. Correct all mistakes always.

• Use Magic Words : ‘Please’, ‘Thank you’  ‘Excuse me’

Yes these may sound so common that our children have taken them for granted. If used every day at home, out of common courtesy, they should not pose any difficulty. Appropriate use of these words will leave a great impression on the hearts and minds of those around.  When a good deed has been done, or your child has been offered a reward , or a kind gesture, “thank you” is in order. No matter which country or nationality, “merci”, “gratious”, “asante”, “danke seun”, “ese”,  teach your child to use always. As parents try to use these words yourself extensively.

• Meet & Greet

Does your child or your children run and hide when visitors come to the house? It is good to practice the art of confidence building with you child/children from a young age. Ensure that your child cultivates the habit of pleasant greeting of your friends, colleagues, relations. Teach your child the right words to say when greeting someone. Make it a point of duty that they come down and meet necessary visitors like friends and family and say a decent greeting. The pride and glory is yours.
Example: “Hello Ma, (Aunty/Uncle) I am m Susanna, nice to meet you.”

Photo Source: Google

The post More on Parenting Etiquette appeared first on .

Understanding how to win a battle strategically gives a woman the advantage in tackling any situation she might face. A woman is not built for confrontation rather, she is built for tact. It is not wise to go head on with your opponent or the person you are facing, especially if the person is your husband.

Model for Winning

Using Esther as our inspiration we can learn a lot from how she dealt with issue she was facing. Her issue was quite a big one, when you consider that the lives of her people, the jews, was at stake. This was not a small matter of misunderstanding between herself and her husband. However we can learn a lot from how she tackled her problems strategically and wisely.

1. Esther’s first act was spiritual. She embarked on a fast. She did not respond in a hurry, in a huff or in annoyance and panic. Rather she took her time to call a fast and to include people to join her on the fast. If you are dealing with a big matter, face it spiritually to increase and assure your chances of resolution.“Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do”. (Esther 4:16).
2. After finishing her fast, she took the time to look the part. She got dressed nicely to meet the king when she was done with her fasting period. That means she still took the time to compose herself and did not rush about after believing she had gotten a spiritual release to tackle the issue. (Esther 5:1)
3. Men are tough when you come against them head on. When God made man he created us as a helpmate meant to help get your husbands’ work done. She asked the king if it pleased him and offered him a banquet. She was a skilled woman, she did not act hastily rather she appealed to her husbands senses. She knew that he liked banquets and used it to relax him (or to entice) him before she dealt with the issue. “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you.” (Esther 5:4)
4. Wisdom involves self control. She invited Haman, her biggest enemy to the banquet. Wisdom is getting people to see why the thing you are advising is a good option.When you are clear headed with your eye on the goal, like Esther you know that you might have to stoop to conquer. She skillfully did not give her enemy Haman any idea of what was coming. She invited him to the banquet and made him feel special and let his guard down even as her husband the king, was eager to give her what she wanted. And what is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.” (Esther 5:6)
5. When she was ready to make her request known, to convince the king to change the decree he had already put in place. She gave him the apparent opportunity to decide if he wants to take the action or not. She did not refer to all the nice things she had just done for him aka the banquet. She simply asked ever so pleasantly if it pleased him. Even after he had promised her that he was ready to do what she wanted, she did not run ahead and start making rash demands. She said “If it please the king, and if I have found favor with him, and if he thinks it is right, and if I am pleasing to him, let there be a decree that reverses the orders of Haman” (Esther 8:5)

What can we learn from all this? be prayerful, be full of wisdom and take the time to build your case. Do not be in a hurry to make your demands, do not be threatening rather skillfully help him to see things your way. Throwing threats around and making demands might not be the most effective way of getting him to see things your way. The way Esther tackled this situation ultimately saved her people and rather Haman fell into the trap he had setup for Mordecai and the Jews.

May we have the wisdom of Esther in matters!

photo source: ldawkins

The post Understanding How to Win a Battle Strategically appeared first on .

Conduct Personality Assessments Before Hiring a Nanny

Selecting a domestic helper, and in particular a nanny for your children, is a difficult task and the risks in making a wrong choice are frightening. Most people simply interview the candidates, maybe check their references, and seldom perform a background check. While each of those screening tools is important, they all have their limitations and do not necessarily provide sufficient information to make the best possible choice.

Individual personality assessments can help parents learn more and make a better choice, overcoming the limitations of the status quo selection tools. In the last post, we talked about one of the products Pro-Facts offers: a tailored personality assessment.

Personality assessments are psychological tests that analyze a person’s character and personal traits. The optimal personality assessment for nannies, au pairs and babysitters should combine both testing for relevant personal traits and risk assessment, with a strong focus on the later. Relevant personal traits may include responsibility, obedience and discipline, self-control, emotional stability, coping with pressure, positive attitude and service awareness.

Imagine having the flexibility to ask your top candidates to take a 30-minute online test that will help make your decision about who to hire. The 30-minute survey can ask candidates questions about her habits (drinking, gambling), personality, goals, priorities, demeanor, and etc. Upon completion, the results are compiled and sent to parents to enhance their decision making process. For more information on this product, contact Pro-Facts at info@pro-facts.com.

We will work with you to develop specific and targeted questions to address areas of concerns for the shortlist of nannies to answer. This provides more insight into the candidate, therefore making you feel more comfortable about the candidate you ultimately decide to hire.

Photo Source: www.simplydesmoines.com

The post You Should Conduct a Personality Assessment Before Hiring A Nanny appeared first on .

The royal babies are very cute.

The first picture of Prince George and his little sister, Princess Charlotte who are the children of Prince William, Duke Of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge has been released by Kensington Palace.

Information about the release of a ‘very special photo’ of Princess Charlotte was announced on the official Kensington Palace social media account via twitter. 

This picture was taken at Anmer Hall, the home of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge which is two miles east of the Queen’s residence at Sandringham, Norfolk by their mother herself.

Source: www.trends.ng

Photo Source: www.wjla.com, bbcnews

Related articles across the web

• Royals release first official Princess Charlotte

The post Prince George And Princess Charlotte’s First Photo Released appeared first on .

Summer Camps Guide Lagos 2015 edition compiled by LagosMums is here…

LagosMums brings you a listing of some of the summer camps being offered this Summer in and around Lagos. So read on for ways to keep the children busy this summer. Are you offering a Summer Camp for children in Lagos this summer? Do send us an email to contactus@lagosmums.comto be listed.

—————————————————————————————————————————————————

– ———————————————————————————————————————————————-

CIS offers four weeks of amazing Summer Camps for boys and girls between the ages of 5-16 in July 2015. Each camp is one week long and will be packed with skill acquisition, character building, and lots of fun activities! All camps meet Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

If you’re a parent looking for a fulfilling and safe summer program for your child, then this is surely something you won’t want them to miss.

Where: Children’s International School, Funke Zainab Usman Street, Off Admiralty Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.

Times: 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 6th– 10th July or 13th – 17th July or 20th – 24th July or 27th – 31st July

Price: N25, 000 (Twenty Five Thousand Naira) per week per camper.

For more information visit the CIS website 

Are you offering a Summer Camp for children in Lagos this summer? Do contact us to be listed contactus@lagosmums.com

The post Summer Camps Guide Lagos 2015 appeared first on .

The Lady Realtors presents Demystifying Real Estate Investment for Women. Have you ever wondered how to get on the real estate ladder, how to invest in real estate, start a real estate business or how to navigate real estate as a woman? Then you want to attend this first in the series on ‘Demystifying Real Estate Investment for Women”. It is limited seating to secure your seat click here to register.

The post Demystifying Real Estate Investment for Women appeared first on .