I just came across this photo yesterday, and it just speaks so much volumes to me.

As most of you probably know, soccer was/is a family sport in my household, my father played soccer, and nothing was different for his children, however that’s not the reason this photo speaks volumes.

I  had to be just about 4 years old in this picture, but I remember this day like yesterday. This day was registration day for AYSO, and this was also the day you chose the team you were going to play on.

This was about my 2nd or maybe 3rd time playing soccer on an actual team. I remember my parents alongside my Godfather looking at the teams that would best suit me, and I remember them picking this team.

When they asked me if I wanted to join that team I remember saying “No, it’s an all boys team, I’m the only girl”, (At this age I don’t believe I had any knowledge of race or thought that I was the only black person, but that a whole other story). I remember my dad and my Godfather telling me they thought that was the only competitive team for me, and that I was even better than most of the boys there.

I then remember being uneasy, and my mother telling me something to the effect of, I can do anything the boys could do, and probably even better than them, and that I should try it out first, and if I didn’t like it they’ll take me out. I ended up making the descision of staying on the team, and I also remember being better than most of the boys (not to toot my own horn, but I gotta ask my godfather for those videos for proof lol)

Anyways, when I looked at this picture yesterday all I could think of was my family was preparing me for the future. To never limit myself, because of gender or even race.

Looking back at my childhood,  I really thought I could do anything, if my brother could do it, I thought I could too.

Those little lessons in childhood really come a longggg way, and sometimes you don’t really understand it until you’re 25yrs old.

All I can say is thank you, and make this a lesson for you too; to push your children, and never allow them to limit themselves.

Happy Monday

For a long time I wanted to start a blog I remember I started a Tumblr about 7 years ago, but I’m all about timing and it really wasn’t the right time to start blog, because my life really wasn’t that interesting, and there wasn’t much for me to blog about at the time.

However, once I had my daughter and I realized many people were asking me the same questions about motherhood, things I was using, relationship advice, and about places we visited with our daughter I knew the timing was right. Plus, I think my life became a little more interesting with this little one.

Upon starting my blog I made a vow to myself that the purpose of this blog would be to motivate other parents like myself (a young black mother). If there’s anything I want any of you to take back from this blog is to be the best parent you know how, work on being a better parent than you were yesterday. I also want you all to know that you can start exposing your children to culture, and activities, from a young age, don’t wait on the school system, because some of the best education comes from home, and start from now. I want US all to be able to inspire one another to parent our kids to be the best; better than we are, because they are our future.

My parenting goal is always to be a better mother than I was yesterday.

Also, Thank you to everyone who has been supporting of my blog thus far.