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Potty Training Kitty, Talking Tom, Dora the Explorer and my Phone

By
Maryanne W. Waweru
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6

So we’re still working hard at potty training Kitty (last I wrote about it here), and we’re progressing tu pole pole, quite well actually. Though something interesting happened the other day.

You see, I try to keep Kitty as busy as possible when he’s doing his thing in the potty – or rather waiting for him to do his thing in the potty. The best way to keep him busy is to sit him in it infront of the TV, then tune it to the cartoon channel. Works like I charm, so I discovered.

So what happened the other day is that the cartoon that was showing I think was boring him, so he started calling out for my phone, asking to play with Talking Tom. Incase you don’t know who Talking Tom is, he is this cat game on my phone (it’s called an app I think?) who repeats everything you say in a very funny voice. You can poke him and tickle him and just basically play around with him. Talking Tom makes Kitty very happy, and anyone or anything that makes Kitty happy, I’m game.

So I gave him my phone and soon, Talking Tom was yapping away after Kitty. I left to prepare a snack for myself in the kitchen, while keeping an eye on Kitty.

Soon after, I heard the opening tune for the cartoon Dora the Explorer, and I saw Kitty all excited as he totally loves Dora (it’s alright for boys to love Dora, right?). That was ok with me, as long as it kept him busy in the potty.

So I finished what I was doing in the kitchen and returned to my little boy. I started looking around for my phone but couldn’t find it. It wasn’t in his hands, so I asked him where my phone was.

Me: Kitty, where is mummy’s phone?

Kitty: Silence. He was concentrated on Dora.

Me: Kitty, where have you put my phone?

Kitty: Gives me the side eye, then continues watching Dora.

I couldn’t figure out where it was, so I continued searching for it around the potty. Still couldn’t find it.

Then Dora started singing “back pack back pack…” And Kitty rose up and started singing too, dancing all over. Then I spotted my phone. My jaw dropped down in horror.

Kitty had susud alright in the potty (good boy), but there, fully IMMERSED in the ocean of his susu was my phone!!!!!!!!!

Turns out that Dora was more interesting than Talking Tom, so he’d instantly dumped him for Dora.

I withdrew my phone from the potty and took it out to dry, removed the battery and all that. That helped a little bit, though my phone right now is half dead and is behaving funny – it switches itself on and off when it feels like. If you call me, it sometimes decides to go off midway in the conversation. If you send me an SMS, I’ll be lucky if the phone alerts me of a new message, and sometimes when I try to read it, it disappears just like that – gone forever.

Oh well, thanks to Kitty’s urea, I now have a quarter working phone. I have no plans to buy a new one anytime soon, so please bear with me for now if you try reach me on my phone and I appear to behave funny by hanging up on you, or not responding to your text message.:)

My Home-Made Remedy for my Nasty Cold

By
Maryanne W. Waweru
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2

Friends, I have been down. And out. With a terrible cold that’s plagued me for about a week now. It’s been a week of sniffing, blowing my nose, having a blocked nose, coughing, congestion, a sore throat, having drippy eyes and just generally feeling absolutely knackered…. On Monday this week, I lost my voice and had to keep whispering if I really needed to say something. Kitty kept looking at me funnily when I spoke, wondering whatissss??? Then throw in this crazy Nairobi heat where I keep fanning myself fast and furiously all day long… it’s been an experience and a half I tell you.

Having a cold when pregnant is not fun (I’m 34 weeks now) because in addition to the usual physical and hormonal pregnancy issues, you’re unsure of what you’re supposed to consume and what you’re not supposed to. And since I didn’t want to go popping any conventional medicines, I decided to take the traditional route of making a home-made remedy. I consulted my mum and she told me to prepare a mix of garlic, ginger, lemon, honey and hot water.

Fresh garlic and ginger

So what I did is I chopped some cloves of fresh garlic, chopped some pieces of fresh ginger and then mashed them up in a pestle and mortar until they were to an almost-fine texture.

Then I squeezed some fresh lemon juice into this mixture and korogad it kabisa, then allowed it to rest for a few minutes. Then I passed this mixture through a kichungi and into a cup.

Lemon in a bowl

Finally, I added some generous amount of honey and some hot water in to this concoction, then stirred it very well. I have been preparing a good amount of this potion daily in the morning, so that I can take it at least three times a day instead of keeping on preparing it all the time. So what I’m not using I keep it stored in the fridge.

That mixture is not as exciting to the taste buds for sure (and imagine it has honey), but it’s so powerful because as I took it I could feel it burning my throat as it slithered down, killing all those nasty micro-organisms that have been nesting in my throat. Eehhh, that ka-sensational feeling is nice I tell you :)

Baby Shower Gift Ideas

By
Maryanne W. Waweru
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2

Have you been invited to a baby shower? And you have completely no idea on what kind of gift to get for that expectant relative or friend? baby showers are usually a good time for the expectant mum to celebrate her baby’s upcoming arrival with her friends and family, plus ofcourse get some nice baby stuff for her little one.

Now, if you’re planning to attend a baby shower soon and you still don’t have the slightest idea on what to get, I have some ideas for you. I came across this baby shop the other day when I was at the 5th Ngong Avenue Suites where I had an appointment with a doctor (who didn’t keep time so I decided to pass time by strolling around the floors of the building). At the shop – SAS Impressions, I saw some really lovely things and I was like wow! Which buddy is having a shower soon? Because I have been in those situations where I had no idea what to get for a baby shower. So here’s what I came across:

Diaper Bags

Baby Carriers
When taking baby for a walk, or when going outdoors with the baby, a baby carrier is always a good bet. And a good gift for an expectant mom. By the way when it comes to baby carriers, pay particular attention to the straps since you don’t want to buy those ones that hurt by pinching into the flesh.

Storage Baskets
When mommy needs to store laundry or toys, then this is a good storage space. Colorful with nice animal cartoon designs, the storage bags are easily washable or you can wipe with a cloth, and they are also foldable in to a flat piece – when not in use.

Baby Blankets
One of the few baby gifts are treasured for a lifetime are beloved baby blankets. There’s just something about them that brings so much joy, warmth and comfort not only to the baby, but to the mom. I saw lots and lots of beautiful baby shawls and blankets – all with these nice designs, pure cotton – all of them unique, so sweet and fresh.

Cot Bumper and Beddings
They come in blue for a little boy and pink for the little princess – lovely and very cozy for the baby’s cot. The pack includes the cot bumper, fitted sheet, a flat pillow/pillow case, a duvet and matching mosquito net. The beddings are 100% cotton, from the Mothercare brand. Pure cotton is good by the way for newborns due to their vulnerability to skin reactions and conditions like eczema.

Newborn Outfits
Yep, these are a favorite during most baby showers. Rompers, vests, pyjamas, dresses, trousers, socks, stockings (from 0 – 24 months), bibs and many more.

Baby Shoes
Seriously, which yummy mummy doesn’t want a cute pair of Dora shoes for their little one? Or some nice shoes for their baby boy?

And wall stickers for the little one’s room…

And don’t forget the new mom…
You can get her some breast pads (disposable), nursing bra’s, disposable panties (for those first days), a breast pump, bottles and bottle brushes.

Other lovely little things…

So there you go, I hope you’ve gotten some gift ideas to give that expectant yummy mummy, and where to get the items from.:) SAS Impressions is located on the 4th floor of 5th Ngong Avenue Office Suites (near Traffic HQ’s), suite 18. Tel: 0737 840375.

All You Need to Know about Pampers (With New Design)

By
Maryanne W. Waweru
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3

One of the inevitable expenses that new parents have to contend with is diapers. Whether cloth diapers or disposable ones, you just must have some. For me, I knew right from the beginning that I was going to use disposable diapers on Kitty – largely because of the convenience they bring along. And I loved everybody who brought me these disposables when I was a new mom. Because believe me, you can never have enough of them when you have a little tot – until they get potty-trained that is. So in case you’re wondering what to take to a baby shower or what to carry along when going to visit a new mom, just know that you can never go wrong with diapers. Ever. That mom will appreciate you much more than you’ll ever know.:)

Anyway, one of the brands of disposable diapers that are in the market today is Pampers. And by now you must have noticed that there’s a difference in Pampers diapers, or at least have heard about a change in them. While the packaging is still the same (the green pack), one of the things that I instantly noticed about the diapers is that they are no longer plain white, but have some cartoon designs on them now – all around the diaper. I certainly don’t mind cartoons so this new diaper did make for an interesting look. I liked!

The redesigned diaper is still light in weight and is not bulky at all (I hate the bulkiness of some brands of diapers in their unused state – only makes me wonder how they will be when they’ve been used), plus the sides have a snuggly fit which I suppose help the diaper to do a good job of shaping onto baby’s body, helping prevent or minimize leaks.

One thing I wondered is whether the prices had now gone up, and I also wondered if there was any change in the diapers themselves – besides the obvious new cartoon pictures.

To get answers to some of the basic questions that I had, I had a chat with Irene Mwathi of P&G – the company that makes the diapers, and here’s how that went:

MT: What’s new about Pampers diapers?

IM: Pampers recently introduced a new design on its main variant (the green pack). It is easy to recognize the new Pampers diaper as it has joyful cartoon characters on the outside cover of each individual diaper, whereas the old Pampers is completely white on the outside. Mothers, however, can be reassured that Pampers provides the same proven dryness and fit as before.

MT: Are the size ranges for the new design Pampers still the same?

IM: The new design Pampers is available in all sizes i.e. mini, midi and maxi. We have also introduced junior size (size 5) for babies weighing between 11-25 kgs.

MT: How do I choose the right size of diaper for my little one?

IM: The diapers are sized according to a baby’s weight. The weight ranges on Pampers packs give an indication of what size to choose for your baby. The weight ranges in this new design Pampers are the same as before and have not changed. They are:

1.       Size 1- Newborn- Weight: 2 – 5 kg

2.       Size 2- Mini- Weight: 3 – 6 kg

3.       Size 3- Midi- Weight: 4 – 9 kg

4.       Size 4- Maxi- Weight: 7 – 18 kg

5.       Size 5- Junior- Weight: 11 – 25 kg

The best Pampers diaper to use also depends on your baby’s age, shape and how much the baby drinks. The most important thing to consider when choosing a diaper size for your baby is to choose a size that doesn’t sag or gap – even as your baby moves around.

MT: With the new design Pampers, does this mean that there is a change in the prices? Are they now more expensive?

IM: No, prices have not changed and remain the same.

MT: Why should moms choose Pampers diapers?

IM: More than anything, every mom values dryness in their baby’s diaper because it’s essential for the little one’s well-being, so at the heart of each Pampers diaper is a highly advanced absorbent gelling material that captures and holds the fluid released by baby and locks it in place. The gelling material helps prevent wetness from seeping back and irritating baby’s skin.

Our research shows that this technology can absorb during the whole night without causing discomfort, providing 1 dry night for baby. In fact, it’s been clinically tested to help keep your baby’s skin dry.“

So that was the chat I had with Irene. I hope that gives you an insight into the new Pampers diapers.

Have you tried them on your little one yet? What do you think about them? If you have more queries, or have general comments about Pampers diapers, you can leave them in the comments section at the bottom of this post, or you can email me on maryanne@mummytales.com Irene will respond to any questions.

Also, if you’re thinking of starting a small business, be inspired by Peninah’s story below.

Healthy Snacks To Pack For Your School-Going Child

By
Maryanne W. Waweru
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7

Among my conversations with fellow moms, especially those with school-going children, often we wonder about the snacks that we should pack for them to munch on while in school. Our opinions are always quite varied on what we should pack and what we should not. So with this regard, I decided to speak to a Nutritionist for some insights. I spoke to Santina Nyaga who is also a blogger and mom of 3 school-going children –Michelle, Jeremy and Emma.

Santina says that when packing snacks for the children, it is important to ensure you pack healthy and nutritious items. Ensure snacks come from either 2 or 3 of the four major food groups which are: Fruit and vegetables, cereals, bread, pasta and potatoes, milk and dairy and other animal and plant proteins like meat, fish, eggs, poultry and the different kind of beans. Here’s her sample snack plan:

FOR TODDLERS

Simple finger foods are the way to go for them. Children at this age have high nutritional needs but yet have small appetites. Here’s a daily plan for them:

Monday

10:00am-  Fruit, plain yoghurt sweetened with honey or real fruit yoghurt

4:00pm-  Grated apple pancakes, a glass of milk/milo

Tuesday

10:00am-  Fruit salad of melon, mango, pineapple

4:00pm-   Dinner rolls spread with peanut butter/kids favorite bread spread

Wednesday

10:00am-  Homemade mandazis

4:00pm-   Fruit, cheese tomato sandwich

Thursday

10:00am-  Orange, homemade popcorn

4:00pm-  Fresh fruit juice/smoothie

Friday

10:00am-   Tangerines, garlic bread sandwich
4:00pm-   French toast with a glass of milk

AK-fruits

For PRE-TEENS and TEENAGERS

As kids get older you have a wide variety of foods to choose from. It is also a great idea to involve them in making choices for school snacks. Some ideas of what to pack may include:

Monday

10:00am-  Baked vegetable/chicken/meat samosas and fruit

After School Snack-  Scotch eggs, milk/hot chocolate

Tuesday

10:00am-  Homemade popcorn and fruit

After School Snack-  Handful of nuts e.g. almonds, cashews, macadamia nuts

Wednesday

10:00am-  Left-over chicken sandwich with tomatoes

After School Snack-  Scotch eggs, fruit yoghurt

Thursday

10:00am-  Chapati rolls filled with a vegetable salad

After School Snack-  French toast, hot milk/cocoa

Friday

10:00am-  Sesame seed balls, tangerine/orange

After School Snack:  Yoghurt with slices of fresh fruit

Other snacks that can be included: Mini pizzas slices of homemade fruit bread, veggie burgers, dried fruit, and fruit kebabs.

AK-boys-playing

Helpful Notes:

– Packing snacks for a toddler, a six-year-old and a pre- teen should mainly be guided by their growth needs.

– Toddlers and young kids below 11 years are at an age where they are very active, hence their energy and nutritional needs are greater than an adult’s. They have smaller appetites and need to snack more often teenagers.

– Between 11-18 years, the energy and protein needs required are 80% more than adults. They need more vitamin C intake during these growth spurt periods and if they are girls, make sure they have extra iron especially if they have started their periods. For boys, ensure they take in more calcium to help in bone development.

-If your kids do not like boiled sweet potatoes and arrow roots, try baking them. Another alternative would be to slice the boiled arrow roots or sweet potatoes then make a light batter of wheat flour or chick pea flour and eggs then shallow fry them.

-A lot of time for preparing these dishes can be saved if you make them ahead of time, items like mandazis, pizza dough, and bread dough freeze really well. Nuts like cashews, almonds, macadamia and peanuts can be made ahead of time and kept in air tight containers.”

AK-fruits2

Thanks Santina for sharing. So what do you think about this menu? What other healthy snacks would you recommend for school going children? 

You May Also Like to Read: The Day My Daughter’s Teacher Told Me to ‘Watch out For Relatives, Especially Male Ones’?

featured image courtesy: mama azizi

Breastfeeding in Kenya: Pumping at Work: Helpful Tips for Working Moms

By
Maryanne W. Waweru
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1

Hi friends! Now, many new moms, especially those who have to resume work after maternity leave often wonder about how their little ones will continue feeding while they are away. More so for those who are determined to exclusively breastfeed for the first six months. Is it really possible? How will they go about it? The logistics involved? The office environment? Transporting the expressed milk….and many more questions.

Well, I talked to one career mom Iddah Membo-Onyango, who managed to pump milk for her son until he was a year old, having resumed work when he was three months old. Exactly how did she do it? She shares what worked for her:

–     Access to a private room I could pump in. When I went back to work after maternity leave, I had an easy time since my colleague had also just resumed work after her maternity leave, and she’d been allocated a room where she could express milk – complete with the keys for privacy. I joined her, and this room became permanently booked during lunch hour, between 1pm – 2pm.

–     The fact that I was able to have lunch as I pumped, so once I was done I promptly went back to my desk to work at 2pm. This means that I didn’t lose any work hours.

Iddah with her son Ian.

What you need for a stress-free pumping session:

–     A breast pump – and a good pump at that. A good pump will determine whether you will enjoy pumping or if you’ll hate it.

–     Containers for putting in the expressed breast milk. You can use the usual branded plastic ones, or you could use milk bags. Personally, I discovered putting the milk directly in milk bags helps as it reduces over-handling the milk. The milk bags also made it easy for me as when I got home, I just put it directly into the fridge.

–     You should also have some hot water while expressing, as this helps stimulate the milk flow. Warm water will also help wipe the tits once you’re done.

–     You need a liner, which comes in handy when wiping the breasts once you have dipped it in warm water.

–     I also used a small towel which was very helpful. This towel – when placed underneath the bra when pumping ensures that any leaks are absorbed by the towel and will not drip down to your office wear or the bra.

Happy Ian

–     I also always had a spare top/blouse.  Having one as a plan B is necessary just in case your milk leaks and you’ve run out of spare breast pads thus staining the top you’re wearing. It can also come in handy in case the small towel mentioned above is not enough to absorb the leaks.

–     Blouse/dress with access at the front. I realized that when you’re pumping, you need to dress as though you will be breastfeeding at work. This makes it easy to pump without having to remove all your clothes.

–     Ice packs and a storage bag. These help when you have a long commute and the time between your pumping session and the time you get back home is longer than 6 hours. (Read here for tips on storing breast milk – such as how long it can stay outside a refrigerator). A special storage container, more like the ones doctors carry vaccines in ensures the milk has its own special space. After all, it is liquid gold. Alternatively, you can also use some breast milk storage bags.

–     I also used to drink lots of water, as this helped manage any dizziness and thirst.

Frozen breastmilk storage bags. Image: dreamstime.com

Other helpful tips:

–     Pumping is more like taking a shower, once you start you have to finish so make sure you have all that you need in the room so that you don’t keep interrupting yourself to go rush outside for something.

–     Manage your office duties and client expectations well so that you don’t have any pending work that will be required while you are pumping.

–     Calls: Avoid taking calls in between- phones are not the cleanest items.

–      Remember that the room allocated to you is office space and is a privilege. It and should be left clean so you and any future moms can be granted its use later. Don’t spoil for others.“

So there you go, I hope these tips will be helpful to you too. If you have any additional tips or advice, feel free to share them in the comments section below. Otherwise thanks a lot Iddah for sharing.

You may also be interested in reading the articles below:

Breastfeeding in Kenya: “Why I Hid my Breastfeeding Experience from my Relatives” -Grace Katiku

Wanjiku Wanderi: “Breastfeeding Did Not Come as Easy as I Had Thought it Would.”

Here at Mummy Tales: Raising a Family in Africa, I share inspirational stories of other women -experiences that we can all learn from. If you have an experience you’d like to share with other women, you can email it to me on maryanne@mummytales.com  

You may also connect with me on FACEBOOK l YOU TUBE l INSTAGRAM l TWITTER

Carol Salamba: I Kept the Faith, and I’m Proud to be a Mum Today

By
Maryanne W. Waweru
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13

After trying for a baby for many years in vain, 2012 ended on a good note for Carol Salamba. Today, this new mom shares her story with Mummy Tales.

“2012 was the most fantastic year for me.  Fantastic is an understatement – ‘blessed’ sums it up.

Earlier on in the year, specifically in February, I discovered I was pregnant and I remember thinking that it wasn’t real.  I did 4 pregnancy tests on different days and at different times of the day just to make sure it was real. All tests were positive. I was so excited!

Sharing the news with my hubby was even more exciting because we had been trying to get pregnant since we came back home (from the US) in December 2010, so this was a nice surprise.

But this joy was clouded by the overwhelming fear that the pregnancy might not last since I had suffered a few miscarriages in the past.  But my hubby and I kept the faith, plus support from our friends with whom I had shared the news and who kept me in their prayers encouraged me a lot.

I remember crossing the 3 month mark and thinking, oh my this is so real – I’m gonna be a mom!

That first trimester was not as easy as the morning or should I say all-day sickness was very serious, but I made it.  Around the same time I also got invited to a job interview and I remember thinking to myself; who would hire a pregnant woman especially that now companies send prospective employees for medical tests? But surprisingly enough, I got the job and I thought – WOW – God is really smiling down on me and my family.

The second trimester was wonderful, I felt great, the little one was growing well and we also got to find out that we were gonna have a boy.

The joys of waiting for a baby, thinking of names and shopping for him was simply amazing.  The ultrasound moments were divine, looking at him playing and listening to the heartbeat was surreal because as much as I never lost hope that I would have a baby, the thought of never being a mom does cross your mind from time to time.

The baby shower came and we had a blast, and that is when I realised that the reality of being a mommy was close.

I went all out, took photos of my pregnancy, went for a baby moon with my husband – as all my friends had emphasized the importance of this time out with hubby.

On 12 October 2012 I left work and went for my last check up at 38weeks, only to be informed that my little one had not grown and I was low on amniotic fluid. The decision was made to go for an emergency c-section immediately.

I rushed home to pick up the hospital bag and a few of my things and rushed to hospital. My hubby at the time had traveled and I remember thinking, I’m in this alone 😮

I called him and he organized himself to get back to Nairobi asap.  In the meantime, I was getting admitted and preparations were being done to send me in for surgery.

I called my mom and she prayed for me and encouraged me because I was getting anxious and scared and praying that my little one would be okay.  I said my prayers and we went in.

At 8:16pm, it was a Friday, I remember hearing my son cry as he was pulled out of my tummy and I thought that was the best cry I’d ever heard.

The nurses brought him to me and he was the most amazing, most beautiful baby ever in the world – even in my drowsiness I still thought he was the cutest boy ever…

The first 4 weeks were tough adjusting to my new life as a mom, but all went well.  He is now 3 months old and has brought us joy that I never thought existed and we are able to love love this person unconditionally with every fibre of our being.  He has a killer smile that melts my heart and having him in our lives, and caring for him has given us the best satisfaction in life.

I now pray more than ever especially for him and also for other women who go through issues and complications while trying to have a baby because I would love for them to enjoy the same joy that we experience.

Watching him grow is wonderful, he is now smiling so much and laughing and we are enjoying every bit of it.  Can’t wait for him to call me “mama”.“

UPDATE: Carol is now a mom of two, she became a mom again in August 2016 to a beautiful daughter. 

Mummy Tales is an organization dedicated to empowering its readers on different aspects of womanhood and motherhood. Read more motherhood experiences of Kenyan moms here. Follow Mummy Tales on: FACEBOOK l YOU TUBE l INSTAGRAM l TWITTER 

Merry Christmas!

By
Maryanne W. Waweru
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0

Friends, I wish you a Merry Christmas, happy holidays and a blessed 2013.

Since this will be my last post this year, I want to thank you for reading me throughout 2012, and I hope we will journey through 2013 together.

Thanks and God bless you.

A Bridal Shower

By
Maryanne W. Waweru
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0

The other weekend, I attended a bridal shower. It was a truly good shower, mainly because of two things: The company of the ladies present, the ambiance of the place, the novel things about the shower, the yellow theme, the guest speaker and last but not least – the bitings (those are not two things now, are they?).

The shower was held at a Spa in the Kitisuru neighborhood, a nice serene and lovely ambiance for the close knit of family and friends who attended it. The events of the day took place at both the outdoors and the indoors. It was a good mature crowd that had a mix of single, married and separated ladies.

Now, the guest invited to speak to the ladies present was an apt choice. It was marriage counselor. She shared with us some of her experiences in her 35 years of marriage, candidly talking about the ups and downs she’s been through, what she learnt from them and how we too can learn. It was good. Very insightful and very enriching.

Here are some pieces of advice that she shared that struck me that I thought to share with you:

  • *Don’t enter marriage with an exit strategy in mind.
  • *A woman should take full charge of her house.
  • *Life is not always fair. You can be beautiful and the admiration of many, are smart, have brains, are ambitious, successful in your career, God-fearing and with good morals and principles to boot. And you are a praying woman. But yet you’re not finding the right man. Your season is coming. God is never too early or too late.
  • *Our parents’ marriages or lives have a great impact on the people that we are today. And for those of us who are parents, let’s be knowing that how we relate with our spouses will have a great influence on our children.
  • *Intellectual intimacy should never lack in a marriage. It doesn’t matter how much sex you give your man. You have to connect intellectually.

In my very own personal opinion based on my experiences in the showers I’ve been to, the selection of the main speaker is very important. The choice of this person is absolutely crucial – I kid you not!

Moms in Business: Susan Aquila Mburu of Things & Things Kenya

By
Maryanne W. Waweru
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0

After graduating from Daystar University with a degree in Communication, Susan Aquila Mburu delved into the world of media. But somewhere along the way, she had a change of heart and decided to start her own business. I had a chat with this 29-year-old mom about her entrepreneurial journey.  MT: Tell us about your business.

Susan: My business is called Things & Things Kenya, whose core business is to equip, skill and inspire women on matters revolving around home keeping, beauty and health. I also create and sell art décor items such as scented candles and canvas painting.

Maryanne: From having the idea to starting the business, how was that? 

Susan: My background is in the media, and once when we were in the middle of shooting a Sauti Sol music video when one of the ladies I was working with complimented me on my ability to have quick answers to just about everything, referring to me as a ‘things and things lady’. Soon after I started sharing my ideas and wisdom on various issues that affect the Kenyan woman through a free website hosted by webs.com. The internet had at the time many blogs which I felt were addressing issues from a foreign perspective, so I thought to localize it. The issues I blog on are relevant to Kenyan women.

Maryanne: Is what you are doing now different from what you studied in college?

Susan: Yes and no. I have a degree in Communication so I guess that has influenced my blogging. I still freelance in media. But the art décor items I create and make have nothing to do with my BA degree. It’s the passion for art that led me in that direction.

Maryanne: Many women say finding capital for their business idea is difficult. Was it the same for you?

Susan: It is incredibly difficult to find capital for a business. I’m still struggling to make ends meet since my business is still in the start-up stage. Were it not for the grace of God, my loving husband and parents, I wouldn’t have come this far. They have been my greatest support financially.

Maryanne: What is the biggest challenge working for yourself?

Susan: The fact that you have to rely on your own perspective to make decisions, which can sometimes be wanting because it’s affected by your state of mind at that moment, your experiences and limited knowledge. When you have a team you get to share ideas and then decided on the best way forward given the difference perspectives shared.

Maryanne: Tell us about your family.

Susan: I’m married to one man who works for a media production company. We have a four-year-old daughter.

Maryanne: Has motherhood changed you?

Susan: Oh my goodness yes it has and a lot for that matter! I used to be a party person. Every day was a perfect day for a night out but now I’m home bound. I work from home and when I’m away an hour doesn’t go by before I think of my daughter and husband. I have become a mother, a cook and a home maker while before all I cared for was a cute clean house with noodles on the shelf.

Maryanne: What words of wisdom will you give to your daughter as she grows up into a girl, a woman?

Susan: “You are fearfully and wonderfully made and you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you so never give up. Identify what you want, take it to the Lord in prayer and then go for it.”

Maryanne: What advice would you give other mompreneurs?

Susan: Hang in there and don’t give up. Be patient because you will not realize the financial benefits as quickly as you’d like but in the end it is worth it. If your business is just about making money; walk away from it. You must have a greater vision.

Maryanne: Thanks Susan!

Previously featured moms in business:

Lillian Kandi Kariithi of Elegant Klad
Susan Malaika Karingi of Malaika Jewellery Box
Kami Munderu of Baby House

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