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Iyabo's Blog (8)

Sacred Pampering Principles: Chapter 1

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

Added by Iyabo on February 25, 2009 at 11:49am — No Comments

Sacred Pampering Principles: Introduction

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

Added by Iyabo on February 25, 2009 at 9:36am — No Comments

Sacred Pampering Principles Resolution

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

Added by Iyabo on February 25, 2009 at 8:56am — No Comments

The Love of Motherhood: When Love "Is" Enough

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

Added by Iyabo on August 20, 2008 at 1:01pm — 2 Comments

My Homebirth Story

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

Added by Iyabo on July 3, 2008 at 9:32am — 2 Comments

The Sixth Month Milestone

I am so proud of myself. I have made it! My little one has made the six month marker. I thought about having a small "half way" party but my husband said it was crazy to do. I guess I am so excited about six months because six months is like the goal to complete. Not that we would… Continue

Added by Iyabo on May 20, 2008 at 9:00am — No Comments

The Three Month Marker

Well, I have made it! My little angel is three months old. I can say that my relationship with my son has defintiely improved. He smiles at me when he sees me and talks to me all day long. We are breastfeeding at night and cloth diapering when home. He sleeps cuddled up next to me at night. I am loving every moment of it. I look forward to seeing my "peanut" at the end of my day. It takes me an hour and a half commute in traffic to get to him and it's worth every minute of the wait. When I see h… Continue

Added by Iyabo on February 20, 2008 at 1:05am — 2 Comments

The "Joy" of Motherhood:Undiscovered

I have made it to the 6 week mark! Thank goodness, things are getting better. I am finally getting over the shock of motherhood. It is so hard to be a mother. I don't see how people have more than one and I definitely don't see how single mothers do it. We planned our baby and I felt… Continue

Added by Iyabo on January 3, 2008 at 11:00pm — 1 Comment