Hi guys, hope you good. So today I feature a young mom –Patricia Cidi Malika. If you’re a follower of my blog you know that I love telling other mom’s stories, so that we can learn from each other’s experiences. And Patricia has some experiences that we can pick a thing or two from.
Today, I want you to get to know her just a little bit because tomorrow, I’ll feature her story about rekindling love in a marriage after the babies have come. Her article is based on her own experience of what happened in her marriage after they got their baby.
By the way if you have a motherhood experience that you’d like to share with other women, write to me at maryanne@mummytales.com and I’ll get back to you.
So here’s a little about Patricia:
“I am a 25 year old wife and mum from the Coastal region (Giryama) I’m married to a wonderful man from Western Kenya. We are both born-again Christians who love the Lord and His people.
I am a mother to one little princess, Darlene, who is 11 months old. She makes every day beautiful for me. Princess was born premature as a result of premature rupturing of the uterine membrane (pPROM). I bled excessively after birth, went into shock and passed out. But all is well. She is a healthy, beautiful and super active baby today. She is God’s great blessing, gift and reward to us.
Patricia with her husband.
My personal belief in life is that every woman is a jewel and should be treated as such. I advocate for women (me included) to be wise builders of our homes – loving our spouses and children, taking care of our homes and contributing to the financial growth of our families.
I have a background in International Business Administration from USIU. After my maternity leave I opted to start an events planning business and work from home. It is a rewarding career especially if one puts in the work and determination required.”-END
Catch up with her story titled: “How I Reignited the Passion in our Marriage” here on Mummy Tales tomorrow.
Meanwhile, do subscribeto my You Tube channel here, I’ll be posting a new video soon and you’ll definitely want to catch that 🙂
Mummy Talesis an organization dedicated to empowering its readers on different aspects of womanhood and motherhood. Mummy Tales is the top Women & Girl Empowerment blog in Kenya (BAKE 2017 awards) and 2016 top Women & Girl Empowerment blog (African Blogger Awards). Read more motherhood experiences of Kenyan momshere.
26-year-old Elizabeth Nyambura has a great story to share with us today. Her son was born with a cleft lip or cleft palate and had to undergo surgery in his infancy, and while waiting for that to happen, she and her husband got wind of an opportunity where they could have the surgery done -and for free! Read her story below and remember if you too have a story that could encourage another mom, you can email it to me at maryanne@mummytales.com
This is Elizabeth’s story.
“I got married in March 2016 in a wonderful wedding. We decided to start a family immediately. Five months into our marriage, I conceived our first child. The joy that filled my heart and my home was awesome! My husband was also thrilled with the news of my pregnancy.
Sadly though, the joy was not to last long.
I remember it was a day in October when I started bleeding. At the hospital, the doctor said that it could be a miscarriage, and indeed it was -that’s how we lost our first baby. It broke our hearts but we took comfort in the words of Isaiah 54:1.
I conceived again soon after.
Throughout the pregnancy, everything was fine and I didn’t experience any complications. I did everything the doctor told me to do. I also continued with my regular activities, including serving in church, leading service as well as preaching –all of which I did till the end of my pregnancy.
I delivered my son through caesarean section, but I was in for a surprise. When I held my newborn in my arms, I noticed that he had a cleft palate/lip. I wondered whether to panic, cry, worry, or smile.
I chose to smile. Especially after the nurse told me that it was something that could be corrected. I had delivered at a hospital in Utawala (Nairobi), but with my son’s cleft lip, we were transferred to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) for observation and further management. He was placed in the Newborn Unit. In fact, my son had to be taught how to breastfeed because he just wasn’t able to latch onto the breast well because of the lip deformity.
We were referred to Kijabe Hospital for the surgery. Meanwhile, the best thing I could do for my son was having genuine strength and more love for him, even as we raised funds. Even though people stared and asked questions about the cleft palate, it never really bothered me much because I knew God had my back and He knew why my son was born that way.
As we were waiting, my boss one day sent me a poster about a medical camp at Kangundo Level V Hospital where our son’s surgery could possibly be done. We wasted no time and headed there. Well, I’m happy to say that he successfully underwent the surgery -and it was free of charge! What a blessing! He was just four months old then.
Today, just a few months after the surgery, my son is a testimony to many. When I see him, my faith in God is renewed. Wherever I go, I encourage people to believe that there’s nothing that God cannot do, since he is a God of all possibilities. The secret is trusting in Him, being patient and learning to give praise and thanks in all circumstances.
Our son is enjoying good health now. When I’m away at work or ministry, my husband takes care of our son, and I’m very grateful for his support, understanding and encouragement. He is a rare gem! I hope my story encourages someone.” –END.
And that’s Elizabeth’s story. I hope it has blessed you. If you also have a story that you’d like to share, email me at maryanne@mummytales.com because motherhood is all about learning together.
Meanwhile, do subscribe to my You Tube channel here, I’ll be posting a new video soon and you’ll definitely want to catch that 🙂
Mummy Talesis an organization dedicated to empowering its readers on different aspects of womanhood and motherhood. Mummy Tales is the top Women & Girl Empowerment blog in Kenya (BAKE 2017 awards) and 2016 top Women & Girl Empowerment blog (African Blogger Awards). Read more motherhood experiences of Kenyan momshere.
So, today’s working mom have it all? A thriving career, kids and a happy home, or does she have to pick one or two over the other? That work-life-parenting balance, with competing demands for time, energy and even money? At Mummy Tales I welcome thoughts on different perspectives about life, motherhood and the experiences that we go through as we raise our families.
Today, we hear again from Yunita who had an interesting thought experience when she traveled abroad recently. Read her thoughts in this article that she wrote and wanted to share with us. Also feel free to share your comments on the same issue.
“Indira Nooyi, PepsiCo CEO, wife and mother of two famously said that working wives and mothers “could never have it all”. And I agree. Her thesis was that there was no way she could have been the wife, mother and CEO she wanted to be –all at the same time. Many times, she had to choose, she said. Often, she had to be the CEO who had to be away from her beloved family for long stretches of time. Couldn’t have it all.
My context is thankfully much easier than hers and my outlook might point elsewhere, but the common denominator is: You just can’t have it all!
I was recently attending a work-related seminar abroad and I was the only woman, wife and mother in attendance. Many times the trainer would say “Boys, you’ve got to get this done! 😮 “
One day at breakfast, we were talking about a popular film – Game of Thrones – which of course is (or was) big globally and it turns out, I hadn’t watched. All the boys had and were surprised to hear that there was someone in this world hadn’t watched it.
A young woman in the office takes notes at her desk.
This had never bothered me before – I’m generally not a film or TV person as I prefer reading or writing. Sometimes, when I actually want to watch a movie, I may not have the time or energy to do so. Additionally, even when I indeed get to watch, I’m very choosy as to what goes through my eyes be it for faith reasons or because of my taste.
Back to the seminar. It didn’t help matters that I was also the only participant from sub-Sahara Africa. I sensed that my not having watched the film might be misunderstood as the common stereotype of the “uninformed African”, not up to date with what’s happening in the world so defense mode kicked in me. I needed to protect the image of my continent.
So I raised my arms in surrender and said ” Fine, fine boys, I’m going to watch the film. I’ll look for it and watch it.” And in typical guy fashion, they moved on to another topic as I was left mulling over the discussion we’d just had.
Then it immediately hit me: These are young single men, of course they have time to watch all the series and movies they want! Probably after work or on weekends. How about me?
After an 8-hour work day, I arrive home at around 7:30pm, just in time to hang out with my daughter if I’m lucky. Then it’s her time to go to bed (8 or 8:30pm). Soon after, hubby comes home 🙂 and before I know it, it’s 11pm. By this time the only thing I can do is sleep so that I’m able to wake up early the next day for work.
What of weekends, you ask? Well, Saturday being the only day I can spend with my daughter, I can’t rob it from her by entertaining myself. Sunday’s church day, then family time.
So when, I pray tell, do you expect me to do movies or any other activity in the kind of context that I’m talking about (doesn’t necessarily have to be a movie). Well, I’ve come to the conclusion that I, personally can’t have it all. And most gladly so. But I hope that my family will be part of the “all” that I’ll always have. Because to me, that’s all that matters.
So, sorry boys, I change my mind. I ain’t gonna watch no film!!”
And that’s Yunita’s experience. Do you think working moms can have it all, or do you think they have to choose one over the other?
Mummy Talesis an organization dedicated to empowering its readers on different aspects of womanhood and motherhood. Mummy Tales is the top Women & Girl Empowerment blog in Kenya (BAKE 2017 awards) and 2016 top Women & Girl Empowerment blog (African Blogger Awards). Read more motherhood experiences of Kenyan momshere.
Hi guys, so I usually attend different events that touch on raising children, because not only do I want to keep myself informed, but also because I often get many questions from you my readers about different facets of parenting and whose answers I may not always necessarily know, so I go for these events to learn, then come back and share the information with you 🙂
So that’s the case with the training I attended that was particularly tailored for nannies and caregivers who are raising children with special needs. Here’s the first part I did of that. By the way even though you may not be raising a special needs child in your home, the information is nevertheless very helpful to you because you may have a family member, relative, neighbor, colleague or friend who is, and so your knowledge could really help them too because ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ 🙂
This video is a continuation of this one that I did before, and it talks about teaching a special needs child how to dress up and tie their laces. Quite insightful!
Share the link with your networks -you just may never know who is looking for this kind of information.
Otherwise be blessed and I wish you a great weekend. Do hit subscribe when you’re on the Mummy Tales you tube channel by the way, to be getting notifications whenever I put up a new post 🙂
Mummy Talesis an organization dedicated to empowering its readers on different aspects of womanhood and motherhood. Mummy Tales is the top Women & Girl Empowerment blog in Kenya (BAKE 2017 awards) and 2016 top Women & Girl Empowerment blog (African Blogger Awards). Read more motherhood experiences of Kenyan momshere.
Hi guys, hope you good. So, have you ever seen a child banging their head against the wall, and you wondered why 😮 or seen them engaging in other self-injurious behaviour that left you dismayed? Or, wondered why autistic children are told to avoid sugar and gluten-laced products?
Well, in the video above, I share information about managing behaviour in special needs children, which will help us be informed; whether you are raising a special needs child or not. Because truth is, we have friends, relatives, colleagues and even neighbors who are raising a child with disability, and it doesn’t hurt to also be knowledgeable about issues surrounding special needs children.
So watch this video and share it with your networks, and let’s all learn together as we navigate this parenting journey. Also remember to hit the subscribe button when you’re on the You Tube channel so that you can be getting notified whenever I put up a new video 🙂
Mummy Talesis an organization dedicated to empowering its readers on different aspects of womanhood and motherhood. Mummy Tales is the top Women & Girl Empowerment blog in Kenya (BAKE 2017 awards) and 2016 top Women & Girl Empowerment blog (African Blogger Awards). Read more motherhood experiences of Kenyan momshere.
Hi guys, Dr. Joyce Banda is a former president of Malawi (2012 – 2014); the country’s first female President. Today, on her wedding anniversary, she’s shared such an inspirational message that I’d like to share here with you. Published on Dr. Joyce BandaFacebook page, it’s a message that made me have a warm and fuzzy feeling in my heart, and perhaps it will do the same for you too 🙂 . She says:
On this day 35 years ago, Richard Banda and I got married. My mother gave us six months. So did many people in society. It was a marriage that was not meant to work, particularly because we came from two tribes with deep rooted traditions around marriage. In those days the two tribes did not get married, if they could help it.
A year later on the very same day, 23rd January, our daughter Kambe was born. We have been blessed with a happy large blended family. God has blessed us with nine young men and women, our children, our achievers.
Today I want to thank God for giving me a friend, a brother, but most importantly an anchor who had stood by me through thick and thin.
Together we are forever grateful to our friends who made our journey extremely extraordinary. May God bless you all.
Mummy Talesis a blog dedicated to empowering its readers on different aspects of maternal and newborn health, as well as various issues surrounding motherhood and women. Read more motherhood experiences of Kenyan momshere. Follow Mummy Tales on:FACEBOOK l INSTAGRAM l TWITTER
If you’re a woman in business or planning to get into business soon, have a look at these helpful tips as shared by Sales Trainer Mucha Mlingo and feel free to share the video with a friend or sister or colleague who you know would benefit from it. I recorded this clip from a event organized by Supamamas.
Also see related video of Janet Muley, a former Miss World Kenya who now runs Diamond Junior School in Nairobi in the video below.
Remember to subscribe to the Mummy Tales You Tube channel so that you can be getting notified each time I post a new video 🙂
Fred, customer care attendant at Uchumi Nairobi West.
Hi guys, how are your holidays coming along? Hope great! We just got back from the village in Kakamega, I’ll soon be sharing a video of our #KakamegaTales, so be sure to check that out.
Now recently, I received these text messages from Uchumi supermarket:
So as I was doing my usual ‘out and about’ rounds yesterday, I happened by Uchumi Nairobi West. And since there were some little little household things that I needed to buy, I got right in.
Now, many times I’ve been to Uchumi Nairobi West and many times my heart has ached for the whole Uchumi enterprise. The shelves have been empty, and for the few products that were there, they were filled with layers of dust. Plus the staff looked demoralized and pitiful.
You see, me and Uchumi supermarket we go way back. Let me tell you a little tale 🙂
When we were young, supermarkets were few and far between. So when my mum did the house hold monthly shopping, she’d do it at Uchumi Jogoo Road -mostly in the evening after she and my dad had picked us up from school (school was along Mamlaka rd, home was Buru Buru, so Jogoo Road was the route used).
So whenever we’d see dad begin signaling on the road, indicating he was just about to turn into the road leading to Uchumi, our hearts would start beating fast. In the back seat, my two brothers and I would hold our hands tight together, giggling, flapping our elbows and shuffling our feet, so happy because we knew what that meant.
Mum preferred doing the shopping alone because, I guess getting into a supermarket with three kids can be quite… well… quite something. I know it myself because whenever I want to get things done fast and without much ado, I usually leave my boys behind. And that’s what mum would do – she’d leave us in the car in the company of dad then go do the shopping –fast and without much ado 🙂
My boys, out and about.
While in the car, dad would regal us with funny tales of his childhood, his years growing up in Nyeri. I also remember the car stereo would always be tuned to Sundowner on KBC and we’d all enjoy and sing along to the Jim Reeves, Abba, Kenny Rogers and all those other nice peoples. I still religiously listen to Sundowner to date by the way.
So anyway, the BIG moment that we’d all been waiting for would finally arrive when we’d see mum returning with the shopping. Seeing her would be like seeing a majestic angel, dressed in white, resplendent, walking towards us. Hallelujah!
She would then pull out three packets of crisps from the shopping bag, one for each of us. What joy! That moment would always feel like an out-of-this-world experience. And that’s why I grew to love Uchumi because Uchumi meant giggling with my brothers, receiving a packet of crisps from mum, Sundowner on KBC and enjoying my dad’s Nyeri tales 🙂
How the shelves at Uchumi Nairobi West look like now.
So, back to yesterday. When I checked into Uchumi Nairobi West, I began getting happy with what I was seeing. The shelves were full! There was a wide range of products, not just one product occupying three entire shelves. And the products were clean, not dusty!
At one aisle, I needed to get me some Brookside Dairy Fresh packs, but they were too high up for my reach. So one customer care guy/supermarket attendant by the name Fred quickly came to my rescue and assisted me. Fred went on to welcome me, telling me to enjoy my shopping at the store. I said thank you, and continued filling my cart.
Some holiday treats for the boys.
After going round for about 10 minutes, Fred found me again and asked me if I was OK, and if there was anything I was looking for that I hadn’t found. I told him in fact I was very okay and very happy because I had managed to find like 90% of the stuff that I was looking for –and in my preferred brands, which has been a rare thing for Uchumi in recent years to be honest.
I told him though that I hadn’t found my favorite tissue paper brand, some spices, plus some self-raising flour. Fred told me that they were restocking stuff and in a few days, I would find all that I was looking for. In fact, he told me that I should come and do all the back-to-school shopping there because by next week, they will be fully stocked!
Fred, customer care attendant at Uchumi Nairobi West.
I left Uchumi very happy because I’ve always rooted for it, always had a soft spot for it and I’m genuinely glad it’s getting back on its feet again. I hope it’s for keeps this time. And kudos to Fred for the wonderful Customer Care service that he accorded me. Uchumi Nairobi West – you have a gem right there in Fred!
So guys, lets help good old Uchumi get back to its feet again. Have you visited other Uchumi branches since they started sending out SMS’s? What branch did you visit and did you find it stocked with stuff? Let us know below in the comments section.
When I was a little girl, one of the outstanding things that would signal the start of the Christmas season was the movie ‘The Little Match Girl’ which would show on KBC (VOK then) ☺. Now, KBC/VOK would repeat the same movie a number of times over the Christmas season – year in, year out, and each time they did so, I would get so excited watching it, as though each time were my first.
I loved the little girl – Keisha Knight Pulliam. She was just so beautiful with such gorgeous hair and she spoke so eloquently. Plus I was around the same age as her so she was so relatable. That show is something that I would wait all year long for, and it feels so good reliving those moments now that I’m all grown up.
Even though there were many other activities that my parents engaged my siblings and I in during the Christmas season, for me, the season was never quite complete without ‘The Little Match Girl’.
But our kids today – it’s different for them. They have access to a whole range of shows and movies to choose from, including on internet TV, which allows them to watch tonnes of age-appropriate movies and shows.Showmaxis one such provider and this season, there are a couple of holiday specials they are showing that make for fun moments and lasting memories for the kids.
Just like ‘The Little Match Girl’ was for me, these animated shows will get your kids into the spirit of the Christmas season, and you can watch with them, too. Trust me, these are moments they’ll cherish for the rest of their lives.
My boys, enjoying Showmax, with mohawks 🙂
I have listed 10 shows for kids that will make the Christmas season so much jollier, courtesy of Showmax. And remember that for only KSh250 paid through M-Pesa, you can get 3 months of Showmax. As in, if you pay now, you’ll get access to over 35 000 movies, series episodes, kids’ shows and documentaries all the way through to March 2018.
So here are the shows:
Timmy’s Christmas Surprise
Join Timmy and his friends in this holiday special. When they get snowed in at the nursery on Christmas Eve, they decide to create their own Christmas right there.
2. Pingu: Pingu’s Family Celebrate Christmas
Season 2, episode 7: See how the lovable Pingu and his sister Pinga and his mom and dad prepare for Christmas celebrations by buying a tree, making biscuits, putting wrapped presents under the tree and singing carols. This sweet series without any dialogue is a timeless classic, and a favourite for toddlers and pre-schoolers.
3. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey Saves Santa
Season 1, episode 18: When Santa’s sleigh breaks down, it’s up to Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, Donald and Daisy to rescue him and get him back on his way to delivering gifts.
4. PJ Masks: Gekko Saves Christmas
Season 1, episode 12: While trying to learn to ice skate with Amaya and Connor, Greg realizes that all the Christmas decorations in town are missing. That night, Gekko, Owlette and Catboy set out to defeat Luna Girl, who’s stealing all the magic – and presents – of Christmas.
5. Paw Patrol: Pups Saves Christmas
Season 1, episode 11: Santa’s sleigh crashes in Adventure Bay on Christmas Eve. Can the pups round up the reindeer, collect all the presents, find the star and fix the sleigh so that Christmas comes to Adventure Bay?
6. Peppa Pig: Snow
Season 1, episode 26: It’s snowing today! Peppa and George go outside in their hats, scarves and gloves, and build a snowman – but he needs a hat and scarf and gloves, too… But where will they find some for him?
7. Bubble Guppies: Happy Holidays, Mr Grumpfish!
Season 2, episode 2: Everyone is in the holiday spirit, except Mr Grumpfish. Can Molly, Gil, Deema, Oona, Nonny, Goby and Bubble Puppy find the one thing what will brighten his mood? How about turning his house into a gingerbread house, complete with marshmallow frosting?
8. Stick Man
This is Julia’s charming story about a piece of wood called Stick Man who ends up on a grand adventure as he tries his best to get home to his stick family in time for Christmas. The award-winning animation is also an African success story as it was animated by South African animation company Triggerfish. This is the perfect time to share the magic of Christmas and Donaldson’s rhymes with your children.
9. Frozen in Time
Young siblings Eric and Patty are about to take off on a thrilling, and chilling, adventure! After damaging their grandfather’s most treasured possession -a strange clock, they throw the whole world into a crazy time continuum, where Christmas Day is repeated over and over.
10. My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic – Hearth’s Warming Eve
Season 2, episode 11: The Mane Six (Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Applejack and Rarity) prepare for the traditional Hearth’s Warming Eve pageant by putting on a play about the founding of Equestria.
Here’s the link to get access to all the joy that Showmax has to offer. I hope your kids have a memorable Christmas season, courtesy of their favourite TV shows, just as I will always remember ‘The Little Match Girl’ from Christmases past.
Binge-watch on so many exciting series and shows this holiday with Showmax. Click on image to get 3 months of Showmax for KSH 250 with M-Pesa. Offer valid for a limited period time.
She is a former Miss World Kenya, an A student, a Law graduate and today, she is an entrepreneur. Your child is probably under her care 🙂 She is a wife –her husband is the CEO of Mo Sound and the Founder of Groove Awards, and she is a mother of three; a 5-year-old boy, a 4-year-old girl and a 1-year-old boy.
Today, I share her story, which is about her journey to entrepreneurship, and what led her down that path. It helps us understand the role that we can play as parents in supporting the interests and passions of our children. Enjoy!
By the way you can binge-watch on so many exciting series and shows this holiday with Showmax. Click on image to get 3 months of Showmax for KSH 250 with M-Pesa. Offer valid for a limited period time.
Follow Mummy Tales on: 
