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The SBW Syndrome

This chapter discusses the SBW (Strong Black Woman) Syndrome which is a haunting remnant of the powerful Mammie and Aunt Jemima images deeply anchored in our minds from slavery. Mammie was the "nurturer", the "omnipotent caregiver", the "everlasting arm". She could give, give, give and do, do, do without seeming to need a break, breather, or a vacation! The SBW Syndrome shows when we become control freaks and micromanagers of everything and everyone. We have a hard time delegat… Continue

Introuduction: Get Ready, Get Set

This chapter talks about the women around you that were your first examples of pampering. For the author, the first one is her Mama. Her mama has a regime of a trip tp the beauty salon every three weeks to allow herself to be serviced. Then there is Mama's "bath-bubbles", that were hands-off to the author and her sister. She further talks about Mama's "soak" and how you knew better than to interrupt her during that time! Her Mama also was a gardener and this is… Continue

So I have been reading this book by Debrena Jackson Gandy called Sacred Pampering Principles: An African-
American Woman's Guide to Self-Care and Inner Renewal. This is my second time picking this book up to read it, unfortunately, I have never finished the book. This is my second attempt to read through this book, do the exercises, take the meaning to heart, and make some permanent changes in my life. As I work on the book, I will chronicle here my progress and answers to the exercises.… Continue

My darling little man will turn 9 months old tomorrow. I was just holding him in my arms rocking him to sleep for his afternoon nap. I had a decision to make. I had an afternoon class that was going to start at 3. I live an hour away from school and would have to take the baby to the babysitter, 20 minutes in the opposite direction I needed to go, in about ten minutes. So I could (A) try to strap him down in his carseat, finish packing his baby bag, hop in the car and be on my way or (B) continu… Continue

I went to my weekly midwife appointment Monday afternoon, November 19. My midwife examined me and told me that I was 1 cm dilated with a soft cervix, but the baby was at a -3 position nicely resting above my cervix. So I am thinking "great another couple days or a week to go" even th… Continue