Motherhood Archives | Page 4 of 23

I’ll Never Be Able to Make My Children Happy in Africa

Posted on June 23, 2016
by Malaka
with 4 Comments

Not that that’s a problem. I’ve all but abandoned the quest to guide and ensure my children’s happiness. That doesn’t mean that I won’t do everything in my power to make sure that they are healthy individuals, equipped with the tools to lead sorta successful…

My Personal Choices From My Previous Life Lived in America Have Come to Haunt Me in South Africa

Posted on June 14, 2016
by Malaka
with 15 Comments

*Note: This is not a lament, nor am I disparaging my host country. These are simply musings based on my observations. Today as I sat in the lobby of the local branch of Standard Bank and found my senses assaulted by the glare of LED…

Why I Let My Girls Jump In the Frigid Pool Waters at the Holiday Inn

Posted on June 7, 2016
by Malaka
with 11 Comments

We were stinky. We were cranky. We were happy to have the cylindrical flying ship that had borne us from one hemisphere to another at our backs. Finally! We were in South Africa! After making small talk with the man at the reception desk at…

Sisters: Try to Find a Balanced Approach to Mothering… If You Can

Posted on April 18, 2016
by Malaka
with 2 Comments

Once upon a time, in a town just like yours, there lived two mothers. There were seven children born between the pair, each child in possession of the average needs that you’d expect: food, shelter and love. These the two mothers provided faithfully. One night,…

My Daughter Asked Her Teacher When She and Her Boyfriend Were Going to ‘Do It’ and now Hell has Broken Loose

Posted on March 18, 2016
by Malaka
with 4 Comments

Last night as I was wearily putting the kids to bed, there was one thought that subdued all others jostling for dominance: God! Just one more day until the weekend. The thought of Friday night set my heart racing. Friday is a euphemism for 'Saturday…

The Country Club Latch Key Kid

Posted on March 2, 2016
by Malaka
with 0 Comments

One of my first duties as First Lady was to have breakfast with the Bishop of our church’s international fellowship. I know what you’re thinking. Pause. Hold up. What do you mean ‘First Lady’, Malaka??? First Lady of WHAT?!? Just give me a few days…

Pissy Pants Part II

Posted on February 24, 2016
by Malaka
with 1 Comment

The voice on the other end of the phone was dry in its affectation. “Mizz Grant?” “Yes?” “I have Stone with me, and he needs a change of clothes.” It was the school nurse. I muttered in exasperation and asked if she could give me…

Pissy Pants, Pleather Shoes and Perceptions of Poverty

Posted on February 24, 2016
by Malaka
with 3 Comments

We’ve had unseasonably warm weather this February. Last week the skies were blue, a few flowers braved an attempt at bloom (for which they were summarily punished when another cold snap ran through these parts) and the sun has washed everything in its glow. My…

Of Life: Its Miracles and Fragility

Posted on February 20, 2016
by Malaka
with 8 Comments

*Trigger warning: Today’s post discusses miscarriage. If this is a sensitive topic for you, I beg you not to read on. Thank you, and be well and blessed. “Is that your daughter?” “Yes. She’s my second born. She’s in the same grade as Summer.”…

Verbal Denigration of Girls Begins Much Earlier Than We Admit or Acknowledge

Posted on February 2, 2016
by Malaka
with 0 Comments

*Warning: This post contains vulgar language… You know, the type of language women and girls are subjected to every day, several times a day. Occasionally, women’s magazines, glossy journals and quirky BuzzFeed videos address the issue of gender-based harassment and violence against women using provocative…

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