Tooth Fairies!

Do you believe in tooth fairies? Well, my children believe in tooth fairies. 

A Tooth Fairy

When Gee’s first milk tooth came off, she ran to me with the tooth in her hand. She was so excited. She said “now, my tooth fairy will come and take my tooth and exchange it for money”. Immediately, I concurred but I added that she has to sleep in her room, if she wants her tooth fairy to visit! (That was when they were always sleeping in my room) That night, she made sure she slept in her room.

The next morning, she ran excitedly to our room with a N500 naira note in her hand. “Mummy, Daddy, see what my tooth fairy gave me”. “Whao”, I said. Her daddy didn’t seem to share in our moment. He simply said, “your tooth must be very expensive for your tooth fairy to give you that much for a tooth.”

On one occasion, when she did not sleep in her room, she was so disappointed when she raised her pillow the next morning, and her tooth was still there! I reminded her that the tooth fairy only visits when you sleep in your room! That night, she slept in her room and of course, the tooth fairy performed!

Yesterday evening, another tooth came off. This time, there was no need to tell her where to sleep in order to make her tooth fairy visit her. She (and Tee) have been sleeping in their room in honour of our agreement. By this morning when she was showing off the N500 her tooth fairy left under her pillow, Tee was not happy. He wanted to know when his own teeth will start coming out. He said “Mummy, I thought you told me that my teeth will start falling out when I am 5 years old. I have been 5 since, and none of my teeth has come out. I want my tooth fairy to give me money too!”

Abeg o! This tooth fairy stuff na wa o! I wish I had a tooth fairy. LOL!

Do you believe in tooth fairies? Do you encourage your children to believe in tooth fairies?

Kidnappers on the Prowl!

Kidnapping occurs when someone is taken by force and held captive. This act of kidnapping is a criminal offence in any civilized Nation.

The rate of kidnapping is on the rise in Nigeria, particularly in Abia State. This heinous act started in Rivers State with the kidnapping of expatriates and oil workers. Back then, the kidnappers/hoodlums/militants claimed that the reason for kidnapping was to get the attention of the Federal Government to heed to their plead and develop the Niger Delta region.

The recent kidnapping of 15 innocent Nursery/Primary pupils on their way to School in Abia State, is the most heinous act I have heard in recent times. Infact the kidnapping in Abia State is TOO MUCH! Haba! The other time it was the journalist, then three female members of the National Youth Service Corps servicing in the State and now little children! Children between the ages of 3 to 6!

Now, these are the ones we get to hear about via the news media. I was told that people are kidnapped there daily. Kidnapping is now a means of getting free money for lazy people who want free money without working for it! These kidnappers would abduct anything, whether living or dead! If they have their way, they would even abduct pets and then demand ransom. WHY?

Should parents now lock their kids at home? Can we no longer walk freely without free of been kidnapped? Imagine the mental torture these children would be going through. I don't care however it is described, all I know is that it is morally WRONG for any right thinking human being to kidnap another! I just pray these children are released unhurt!

In a few hours, Nigeria would be celebrating its 50th year as a Nation. I ask myself, with the continued insecurity, crime etal, is there any reason we should be celebrating? What are we celebrating?

God Bless Nigeria!

Weaning Little Dee!

I understand that breastfeeding babies have a lot of advantages to the general growth and development of a child. This is the reason I always advocate, preach and breast-feed my babies exclusively for the first six months. In my case, after the initial three months maternity leave, I leave expressed breast milk stored in the freezer. Research shows that breast milk can be preserved for at least 3 months. Although it was very tasking, I went through this for my three children!

Whenever I return from work, she welcomes me in her own way, and then guides me into the bedroom. After the normal play and some chit chat, the next thing that she expects (to follow naturally) is for me to breastfeed her. Whenever, I do not show any sign of breastfeeding her, she starts yanking at my shirt or whatever cloth I have on, saying "I sor... I sor". If I do not yield to her demand ASAP, she would scream the house down! So I try to respect myself by breast-feeding her immediately.

Mother Breast feeding a baby
Source: kellymom.com

That babe demands to be breastfed at odd places! LOL! Imagine being at an event or gathering and your toddler starts yanking your blouse, saying "I sor" (sounds like I SAW). This line, translated to normal English means "I SUCK"! Can you imagine that? Well that is what Little Dee does to me on a regular basis now!

I just got to stop Little Dee now! Little Dee is 18 months. In addition to been breast fed, she eats other solid meals such as regular baby cereals and other meals prepared at home such as rice, fried plantain, eggs, yam and of course Eba and soup.

I understand that it is best to continue breast-feeding till a child is 2 years, but, I am thinking of weaning Little Dee from breast milk.

Restricting Motorcycles in Lagos State!

Lagos, Nigeria: From today, September 1, 2010, it will no longer be "business as usual" for commercial motorcyclists popularly known as OKADA.

With effect from today, no okada should be seen on the highways within the Lagos metropolis.

They have also been restricted from carrying pregnant women and women with children on strapped to their back.

In addition, school children and anyone under 18 years should not be found on any okada.

So many people have reacted to this ban/restriction. Some are of the firm view that the ban would lead to more crime in the state, while others believe the ban would reduce the inflow of patients in the Lagos State Orthopedic Hospital (Igbobi). Different people with different views.

What do you think? Will this ban/restriction be effective?