Mind of Malaka

Aboriginal Australians Send Their Pre-Teen Boys On a ‘Walkabout’. I Wish I Could Send My Son On One Too.

Posted on December 20, 2021
by Malaka
with 2 Comments

The rules of Thunderdome are easy: Two men enter, one man leaves. This is what it's felt like living with my son for the past 18 months - like I'm locked in a cage fight with an adversary bent on bending me to his will…

Marriage

‘Tis The SZN For Proposals! Here Are A Few Things To Consider Before You Put A Ring On It.

Posted on December 9, 2021
by Malaka
with 0 Comments

Ahhhh, the Yuletide. Do you know why they call this the “most wonderful time of the year”? Okay, truth be told there isn’t one specific reason, but for folk like me the Chritsmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa portion of the year brings so much joy for one simple reason:…

Motherhood

Are We Being Fair To Our Boys?

Posted on December 2, 2021
by Malaka
with 0 Comments

This morning I got a call from my son's homeroom teacher. She told me she had a bit of bad news to share. My thoughts immediately went to the worst possible scenario. Was my son dead??? And how did it happen?!? Why else would she…

Madness

10:36

Posted on November 29, 2021
by Malaka
with 2 Comments

I am not the most meticulous person, but I do believe in the power and efficiency of lists. Most mornings I create a to-so list for the day and relish the rush of crossing off action items throughout the day. Extra thrill points if I’m…

Musings

It Looks Like Ghana Is Finally Ready to Have That Conversation About Online Trolling, Consequences and Accountability

Posted on November 15, 2021
by Malaka
with 0 Comments

I was a Mass Media major at Hampton University. When I graduated in 2000 you had to wait for your roommate to get off the phone so that you could use the internet; Facebook and Twitter did not exist; we were all getting our music…

Musings

Sometimes Telling Yourself You Are Beautiful Is Not Conceit. It’s Survival.

Posted on November 11, 2021
by Malaka
with 3 Comments

TW: This post discusses suicide and suicidal ideations. "Mom? What are your flaws?""I don't have any flaws," I tease. "I'm so amazing even my mistakes are perfect." My teen snorts dismissively at my brash declaration - something I borrowed from my Harlem Renaissance reader and…

The South African Series

It’s Summer in SA! So Our Family Did Getaway At Teniqua Treetops

Posted on November 2, 2021
by Malaka
with 3 Comments

It's finally November! While our cousins in the Northern Hemisphere are busting out their boots and preparing to flavor everything with pumpkin spice, we down here in Mzansi are getting ready for summer. It took a while to get used to spending Thanksgiving and Christmas…

Motherhood

Conversations With My Kids: Fear

Posted on October 22, 2021
by Malaka
with 0 Comments

It hits me, on occasion. What, you ask? That I am nearing the end of my motherhood journey... Or at least in the conventional understanding and/or definition of the term. Who is a mother? What does she do? She's someone: Who wipes your noseWho cooks/provides…

Motherhood

I Asked My Daughter If There Was Anything I Had Done As a Parent To Cause Her to Resent Me. Her Response Confounded Me.

Posted on October 8, 2021
by Malaka
with 2 Comments

I have a friend named D*. She is a soulmate and a light in my life; and if our friendship could be described as a masala, she brings the sweetness while I contribute the spice. My life is far more interesting with her in it,…

Motherhood

Lead By Example: Practical Tips For Parents

Posted on September 22, 2021
by Malaka
with 0 Comments

Guest post written by Elena Stewart Most parents want the absolute best for their children. You want your children to live a vibrant childhood, and when you imagine your kids growing up, you probably like to think of them achieving their goals and living happy,…