Every married couple experiences marriage problems. Being married is hard, and whether we admit it or not, we have those moments when we can not STAND our better half's actions. You don’t hate them but, darn it, at that moment you can’t, for the life of you, think straight to say anything good about them. Let me give you an example that a lot of wives can relate to. Marriage … [Read more...]
5 More Things I Did to Get My Daughter’s Natural Hair Growing
Recently, I wrote an article that literally set off a slew of comments, good and bad, from people questioning the methods I used in growing natural hair for my daughter. While I always appreciate the comments, there is one lesson I want other parents who are learning to deal with their daughter’s natural hair to learn. Natural hair Nazis need to take a seat. Find out the five … [Read more...]
My Daughter Has No White Friends
The other day I was thinking about all of my 4 year old daughter's friends and I came to startling realization- she has no friends of different backgrounds, particularly white. As I thought in my mind, I'm not even sure if she's played with anyone of another race. As I thought about this I instantly became distressed. Not because she needs to have a token 'multicultural' friend … [Read more...]
The Lesson Jessica Bennett Just Learned About Raising a Black Son
There are few things in the world that could enrage me enough to want to openly slap another adult, but any violence toward my children will definitely get you "dealt" with. I can remember growing up, my mother always told us to make sure no adult EVER "put their hands on us" — that was her job. She made sure we behaved and with that promise, she'd do whatever it took to … [Read more...]
Is a Hyphenated Name Disrespectful to Your Spouse?
Last week I went into the bank to deposit some money. As I looked at my deposit slip, I noticed that the bank had my last name wrong. Instead of using my hyphenated last name they had simply put my married last name, Warren. Perturbed by their mistake, I calmly told the teller the mistake and she instructed me to take a seat and wait on someone in customer service who could … [Read more...]
In Order to Fix Chicago We Have To Fix Ourselves
I've watched the heartbreaking stories on CNN and via Social Media and held my kids closer at night thinking, "That couldn't be my child." That was until last week, a 15 year old Honors student named Hadiya Pendleton was brutally shot in the back while trying to seek shelter from the rain. Hadiya could have been one of my kids. She was seemingly doing everything right (she was … [Read more...]
Confessions of a Good Wife: Tales of Being Married to a Penny Pincher
Does anyone remember Julius (Chris Rock's father) from the sitcom "Everybody Hates Chris"? His father was notorious for saving money at all costs and feelings of his family. We laughed as Julius accounted for all of the money he spent — down to a penny. We laughed as he imposed hilarious rules on his family in an effort to save money, much to the dismay of his … [Read more...]
My Husband Didn’t Like My Natural Hair
Last year I was in our bathroom twisting up my hair for the night when my husband walked in and made the comment, "Why don't you wear your hair like you used to?" At first I didn't realize what he was talking about so I replied with the proverbial phrase when you haven't been listening to closely to your spouse, "What did you say honey?" Unaware of the war he was about to start … [Read more...]
Do You Give Your Spouse Chores?
My husband and I try to run our house like a well oiled machine. We believe that all of our children (regardless of age) have a part in maintaining the house. And if they do their part, then everyone's life is much easier. To help make everyone accountable, we've implemented a chore checklist for everyone from the smallest child (two years old) to the oldest child (twelve … [Read more...]
The Kind of Wife I Never Ever Want to Be…
This year will mark the 13th year that my husband and I have been in a relationship. We've had good times where we've wanted to be around one another forever. But, there have been times when we've been so complacent we barely spoke to one another while we were in the same room. We've been rich (almost), poor, happy, poor and happy and sad. This right here is … [Read more...]
Ladies, Please Don’t Have the Marriage Thirst Gene
Last night I was forced to watch The Real Housewives of Atlanta after hearing so much about the tomfoolery of one chick, Kenya Moore, from all of my Facebook and Twitter friends. Now I remember Ms. Moore winning the Miss USA pageant but apparently she’s shown back up on reality television, to tarnish her image for the world to see. As I tuned in I was mortified, (yet intrigued) … [Read more...]
Clearly, We Must Have a Discussion About Gun Control in America
In the United States, it’s easier to buy a gun than to own a home. With a home purchase you have to go through months of inquiries into your financial, job, and relationship history. Everything is verified multiple times. And, at any time if something does not ‘check out’ you are immediately denied the home loan. People plan for years to be ready to purchase their home. … [Read more...]
5 Tips on Setting Relationship Goals for the New Year
Every year people get into a frenzy toward the end of the year as they make goals for the upcoming year. There’s always the people who make goals dealing with their health, their money and even their career. But, what about your relationship? Every year we seem to put so much emphasis on superficial things. What if we put the same emphasis on goals for our happiness in our … [Read more...]
The Problem With Being Natural! 4 Ways to Deal With Natural Hair Nazis
I love being able to jump in the shower, run a couple of miles or sit out in the sun without worrying about my hair ‘shrinking up’ and ‘ruining my style’. You see my hair (in it’s natural state) is curly, kinky and fabulous! Four years ago, I made a decision to go natural. I was tired of my hair ‘breaking off’ and not growing; so I decided to be drastic- I stopped getting … [Read more...]
3 Natural Hair Rules You Need to Know for Your Kids
Four years ago, I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. I marveled at all of the cute clothes I could buy for her and all of the fun shopping trips we would have. The one thing I did not count on was having to do my daughter's hair without a relaxer. You see, the year I had my daughter, 2008, was the year I decided to go "natural". So in between me trying to find products for … [Read more...]