April is Caribbean Parenting Month!

I can't believe it is April already!  At the start of the year, I told you guys that 2013 on SocaMom.com was going to be a lot of fun.  We are now officially two years old and counting, and the blog has been pretty quiet in preparation for the anniversary of our official launch during Caribbean American Heritage Month in June.

We chose to designate April as Caribbean Parenting Month (Download the press release here:  Caribbean American Blogger, Eva Greene-Wilson Kicks off Caribbean Parenting Month, April 2013).

For this, the inaugural celebration, we will be highlighting Caribbean American families through profiles, articles, interviews, discussions, and family friendly events.  The achievements, innovation, and creativity that Caribbean people have contributed to their adopted countries all over the world that stems from a distinct style of parenting, Caribbean parenting, should be celebrated.  In the years since I established the SocaMom community of Caribbean parents, it has proven to be a resource for parents raising their children outside of the Caribbean who want to keep them connected to Caribbean culture.

SocaMom.com has a diverse following of parents and Caribbean culture enthusiasts from all over the world.  Many people who are not of Caribbean descent did not know about the unique aspects of Caribbean parenting, until they became readers of SocaMom.com. They are intrigued by the differences, and entertained by the often humorous similarities to their own households.  We have readers from the Midwest to the Middle East!

Each day in April, new resources will be added to SocaMom.com for our readers in honor of Caribbean Parenting Month.  We will be presenting new and interactive ways for our readers and members of the SocaMom community to get involved.

So how can you participate?  You can be a guest blogger, be a featured Caribbean family, invite friends to join you on Facebook, and more.  Subscribe to SocaMom.com updates to see how we are celebrating daily.

Add a comment

Teachable Moment: Drool, Guitar Strings, and Forgiveness

It started with some drool.

Mr. Social could do no wrong with his big brother when he arrived.  He was perfect.  No amount of crying or pooping was a problem.  Then it happened.  He was holding him one day, and some drool got loose.  That was the first time we heard him tell Mr. Social not to do something.  As he wiped his hand off in slight disgust, I could see that was the beginning of the end of their perfect relationship.

Now that they share a room, there has been a whole lot of times that my Big One has had to tell my little one to stop doing something, not to touch something, or to just leave his stuff alone. Today was no different.

My teen teeters between being a kid and being a teenager. When the little one starts to beg for something, sometimes his teenager shows up, he feels empathetic, and he gives in.

So today, all the kids were trying to impress Grandma with their musical genius. There's no shortage of instruments in our house, so she really did get a full concert.  The kids are really competitive, and Mr. Social wasn't content with playing his steel pan for Grandma.  He needed more.  Long story a little shorter, Mr. Social one broke the Big One's guitar string, trying to play it with his pan sticks. The big one had already told him that he couldn't play it, but he insisted... resorting to begging, then whining.  The Big One gave in.  Mr. Social apologized through his tears.  He had to give up $3 of his own money to fix it, since he wasn't playing it properly.  Mr. Social really likes his money, so he was pretty upset.

"It's okay..." said the Big One. It wasn't okay though.  Not to me.  Probably not to the Big One either.  Even though he had pretty much forgiven him even before he apologized, there had to be consequences.

At times Mr. Social would break the Big One's things, we would kind of let it go, because if we went all crazy every time it happened, it would just be a constant one way stream of punishment - especially since it was so rare for the Big One to break something belonging to Mr. Social.

Being a big brother, sometimes, the Big One feels like he can't win. Because of that, every now and then, I deliver that sweet, swift justice on behalf of the Big One.  Within 15 minutes, we were on our way to the music store.  On the way, I told Mr. Social that he has to treat other people's things even more carefully than he treats his own, and that if he was going to beg the Big One to use his things, he would have to be responsible when he got them. I decided to sit in the car and let them go in the store and handle their business.

"Sorry," whispered Mr. Social on the way home. He really meant it. I could tell because he didn't mean for me to hear it.

"Apology accepted," the Big One whispered back. He meant it.  I could tell because he didn't answer back loudly to embarrass him.  He answered in the same tone of voice showing that it was something genuine and personal between the two of them.

That ability to apologize and forgive each other, and to treat each other's property with respect will serve them well in their relationship with one another, as well as people they interact with in the future. Now that Mr. Social understands consequences - I spend a lot of time instilling those values.

How do you teach your little ones to respect other people's property? Do you show them how to treat library books, or do you teach them to cover their school books? What is your method? What teachable moments have you used to teach values to your children?

Add a comment

Save the Date: Fashion Show in Honor of Caribbean Heritage Month - Washington, DC Area

Karib Nation Inc.  based in Washington, DC., is hosting the fourth annual Caribbean Style & Culture Awards and Fashion Showcase to be held on Friday June 28, 2013 . Doors will open at 7.30 PM, Showtime 9.00 PMat the Atrium @Treetops - 8181 Professional Place in Landover, MD.

Past awardees include Claudia Pegus, Michelle Cole, Patricia Coates, Bill Edwards, Roger Gary, Francis Hendy, Uzuri International, and Lois Samuels.

This year’s showcase will feature Keisha Edwards (Shasha Designs) and Patricia Coates, Guyana, Glenroy March (House Of D’Marsh), Jamaica, Kimya Glasgow, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Michel Chataigne, Haiti, Andrew Harris, Guyana/Barbados, Andrea S. King, 5th Element Designs, Barbados, Sharon Cox-Cole, Trinidad & Tobago, Shaun Griffith-Perez, Trinidad & Tobago, Chantney Renese, (Puerto Rico), Lu-Ann Skaggs, (Luz Art Designs), Trinidad & Tobago,Ilka Harrigan, (Nanichi) Anguilla.

For more information, visit http://www.CaribbeanStyleandCulture.com.

Add a comment

Event Review: Adventure Theatre Presents the Caribbean Themed Production Three Little Birds Based on the Book by Cedella Marley

Photo Credit: Bruce Douglas

Colorful. When I think of the Caribbean, I think, "colorful".  The people are colorful in personality (and sometimes dress), the houses are colorful inside and out (the walls, and the family living withing the walls), and the landscape is colorful with all the bright flowers, plants, and birds.  When the boys and I walked into the theater, that was the first word that came to my mind when I saw the stage.

My boys, 7 and 13, were mesmerized throughout the entire performance. I was especially surprised at the 13 year old - he sat forward. He sat back. He smiled. He laughed out loud. He visibly held his breath.  He held his own hands. He relaxed. I caught myself looking over at him - with all his reactions, he was part of the show for me.  Every day I feel like his childhood is passing away into thin air as he passes me in height, starts to notice the ladies, and his voice deepens. But right then, there he was, next to me... delighted like a kid again by the singing, the dancing, the colors, the jokes, the music... As I looked around, I found that it wasn't just him.  Adults and their kids from the youngest toddlers to the tallest teens were wide eyed and smiling.

As you all know, I am a sucker for design, so the first thing I pointed out to the boys was the stage - can you see how special it is?

I don't know how many people noticed the stage during the show, but I noticed immediately - it is a steel pan.  And the corrugated brilliantly painted "gyal-van-ize"... genius.  What is a Caribbean setting without it?  From the tropical plants to the smiling sun (no for real, it smiled), the set, though small, was perfection.

The musical is based on the book by Cedella Marley, which is based on the lyrics to the iconic song by her father, Bob Marley.

SocaMom and Cedella Marley after the show - Thanks for snapping this pic Justice Fergie!

There are few opportunities like this one for you to be able to have a conversation with your children about Caribbean culture in such a fun setting.  My kids loved hearing the accents and the familiar music, and I enjoyed that there was even a brief history lesson thrown in there that showed the diversity of the Caribbean.

Africa, India, China, and Spain! Photo Credit: Bruce Douglas

The talk we had on the way home about family loving and supporting one another was spurred by the introduction of Cedella Marley as Bob Marley's daughter by Michael J. Bobbit, the Producing Artistic Director of the Adventure Theatre, and the man responsible for the adaptation of the book for the stage.  They were interested in how the music of her father inspired her to write the book.  Her husband and children were in attendance to support the performance, as was her brother, Rohan Marley of Marley Coffee.

Photo Credit: The Boy (see more of his real work at DavesCarShow.com)

Here's more about the show from the Adventure Theatre Website: "Ah…yasso nice! Three little birds sing their sweet songs to Ziggy, a very shy child who is happy to see the world from the T.V. in his room. But his tricky friend, Nansi wants him to get out and enjoy the Island of Jamaica. But, Ziggy is afraid of hurricane, mongoose and evil spirits. Their worldly adventure is enlivened by the fantastic songs of renowned Reggae artist, Bob Marley. Roots, Rock, Reggae!"

"Three Little Birds is based on the story by Cedella Marley with music and lyrics by Bob Marley. It was adapted for the stage by Michael J. Bobbitt with additional music & lyrics by John L. Cornelius, II. The production was directed by Nick Olcott and stars S. Lewis Feemster, Ayanna Hardy, David Little, Jobari Parker-Namdar, Brittany Williams, and Tara Yates-Reeves.

Should you see it?

Absolutely!  I plan on seeing it again with Baby Girl.  I've been taking them to events by the National Symphony Orchestra, and most recently the opera, and she is falling in love with music and theater. With all the singing and dancing - she'll have a ball.  If you are a Caribbean mom and would like to go with the rest of us Caribbean Moms in the DC/MD/VA area, join the Meetup Group!

Is it okay for the kids?

Duppy. Photo Credit: Michael Horan

We grown folks know that "Duppy" can be frightening.  When I heard it, I'll admit, I tensed up a little - but the way it was presented wasn't scary at all.  That being said, I feel like it is appropriate for kids (like it is suggested on their website) 4 and older. The 55 minutes went by VERY quickly, but it still is 55 minutes.

The singing, the acting, the sets, the costumes, all made for a fantastic, must see show - especially for moms of Caribbean kids!

The show runs from March 15, 2013 through April 14th. For more information on ticketing, visit the Adventure Theatre Website.  Adventure Theatre is located at 7300 MacArthur Blvd (Glen Echo Park) in Glen Echo, MD - in the DC Metro area.

American Sign Language Interpreted Performance: March 30 at 2:00pm

Sensory Friendly Performance: April 13 at 2:00pm

-----

ATMTC produces several professional productions for children and their families annually. These productions are enhanced by on-line study guides, interactive playbills, book clubs, post-show discussions, "meet-the-artists" events and other outreach/promotional tie-ins. These productions are aimed at integrating drama, literature, language arts and the National & State Fine Arts Standards of Learning into the thrill of seeing a memorable theatrical production.

Disclosure: I was given tickets to the show for myself and my family.  For more information on sponsored posts, click on About.

Add a comment

"You Cut Your Face Off!" ...And Other Bedtime Nightmares

My dad and I last summer - the beard is there... all is right in the world.

My first memories of having any sort of bedtime ritual begin around the age of two. Bedtime was bad enough around that age since I shared a room with my brother.  At that time anything that had to do with my brother was annoying and bedtime was no exception.

My bedtime was 8:00 - always has been - not because my parents said so, but that was just when my day ended, no matter where I was. So around 7:30, I would get bathed, powdered, and lotioned, put on my night gown, listen to a story, and right after "The End" we would kneel beside my brother's bed.  Dad would put his crutches to the side, kneel down between my brother and I, and we would say the Lord's prayer together. By the time we got to "forgive us our tresspasses" my brother would start to snicker.  At "lead us not into temptation" he and my dad were in blown giggle. He would get super serious just to say, "and deliver us from Eva..."

"He said deliver us from EEEEVA!  He said deliver us from EEEEEVA!" I would scream and jump to my feet pointing and accusing.  Each night they did it, I'd be so upset like it was the very first time I'd heard it.  I'd calm down, we'd say the last line... kisses on cheeks, hugs, and I get lifted into the crib (I wasn't very tall, so I was in there for a LONG time). Lights go off, night light goes on. I didn't really need it - my crib was right at the door, and usually after prayers my dad would disappear into the bathroom across the hall - door open, light shining into our room.

I thrived on routine. I lived for it. People looked the way they looked, sounded the way they sounded, did what they did, and were not allowed to change - ever.

One night, my dad disappeared into the bathroom and closed the door. I remember standing at the end of the crib in the dark with just the night light.  He wasn't supposed to close the door. It was too dark, not at all what I was used to - so I stood and I waited.  Waited for dad to open up that bathroom door and let the light into our room.  When he opened the door, he must have noticed that I was standing up in the crib, and came over to the doorway.  The bathroom light behind him cast a shadow over him, then he took a step into the room where the light of the nightlight illuminated his face.

"You cut your face off! You cut your face off!" I screamed.  My brother sat up, and looked at his hairless face, unimpressed, and rolled over.  I backed up to the back of the crib - horrified.  My daddy had a beard.  That was just the way that it was.  Facial hair wasn't optional, it WAS his face!  My dad laughed, turned off the light in the bathroom, and left me there horrified in the dark.  I'm probably not over it. (I am so not over it.)

I have rarely seen my dad without a moustache, and my husband has only shaved his face once since we've been together... at my request.  I was curious to see if I could get over my fear of a bald face after such a traumatic introduction it.  He looked fine, but I was really glad when his full beard was back in just a couple of days.

This is one of my dad's favorite stories about me.

Do you think any of your childhood routines carried over into your adult life?

This post was inspired by Raising Cubby: A Father and Son's Adventures with Asperger's, Trains, Tractors, and High Explosives by John Elder Robison. Parenting is a challenging job, but what challenges does a parent with Asperger's face? Join From Left to Write on March 12 as we discuss Raising Cubby. As a member, I received a copy of the book for review purposes.

Add a comment

First Sextuplets in the #Caribbean Born in #Trinidad - Government to "Co-Parent"

Six babies. All at the same time.

A world fascinated with multiple births can now focus its attention on the Caribbean for the moment.  The first sextuplets born in the Caribbean entered the world at Mount Hope Maternity Hospital on March 4, 2013.  It's already in Wikipedia... I think that makes it officially history.

The government has pledged to "co-parent" the babies, which means lending financial support to the family. Since everything comes with a price, I am not sure what else is involved on the part of the parents and the kids, but who knows? Could be commercials, public appearances - you just never know.  Everything comes with a price.  It very well could be that this is the one thing in life that actually is free.  I remember watching a documentary a few years ago about the Dionne quintuplets born 79 years ago in Canada.  When I read "co-parents" and "government" it made me think of them.

After four months with their parents, they were made wards of the King under the Dionne Quintuplets Guardianship Act of 1935.  The government and their caretakers profited from their celebrity status and a world in awe of multiple births for years.

Approximately 6,000 people per day visited the observation gallery that surrounded the outdoor playground to view the Dionne sisters. Ample parking was provided and almost 3,000,000 people walked through the gallery between 1936 and 1943. Oliva Dionne ran a souvenir shop and a concession store opposite the nursery and the area acquired the name "Quintland". The souvenirs pictured the five sisters. There were autographs and framed photographs, spoons, cups, plates, plaques, candy bars, books, postcards, dolls, and much more at this shop. Oliva Dionne also sold stones from the Dionne farm that were supposed to have some magical power of fertility. Midwives Madame LeGros and Madame LeBelle opened their own souvenir and dining stand.[8] In 1934, the Quintuplets brought in about $1 million, and they attracted in total about $51 million of tourist revenue to Ontario. Quintland became Ontario's biggest tourist attraction of the era, at the time surpassing the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. ~Wikipedia

Let's hope that it doesn't get THAT serious. Since then, thanks to IVF (in-vitro fertilization), multiple births are more common - but still something of a spectacle for onlookers.  Large families of multiples have sparked several reality shows, and parents have been able to secure lucrative endorsement deals, magazine covers, interviews, and television specials.

As of now, the parents aren't open to publicity, and no photographs are allowed in order to protect the family's privacy. One of the six babies, three boys, three girls, is breathing on its own.

What do you think financial help from the Trinidad and Tobago government will mean for the sextuplets and their parents?  Do you think that with the Internet, reality TV, and social media that they will be able to cash in or not?  What do you think that the government could mean by "co-parent"?  What decisions do you think they should be able to make for the family if they are contributing financially to the care of the children?

Add a comment

Bahamian American Moms Tamera Mowry-Housley and Tia Mowry-Hardrict Grace the Cover of @Essence Magazine as "Moms in Charge"!

April's Essence cover is double fabulous with twin moms, actresses, and fashion icons Tia and Tamera.

Image: Still from behind the scenes video from Essence.com

The power moms talk life, business, and motherhood in the latest issue of Essence.

Image: Still from behind the scenes video from Essence.com

While the two took time apart as actresses to pursue their own acting projects after years of working together on Sister Sister and made for TV movies, they have found success yet again, together, on their reality series Tia and Tamera on the Style Network.

Cheers ladies!

Cover of Essence Magazine - April

To watch behind the scenes video from their cover shoot, visit Essence.com.

Add a comment

2013 Caribbean Wine Festival at @LinganoreWinery

One of my favorite events is back for 2013! You have two days to enjoy live music, wine tastings, art, food, and craft vendors, family and fun at Linganore Winery! Don't forget to assign a designated driver... ($15 Designated drivers will receive a red wristband and will be unable to taste, consume or purchase wine during the event.)

May 25th and 26th

The admission is $20 per person. $15 Discount is for active military members. ID required.  Credit cards are accepted at the gate, and some vendors accept them too, but bring cash just in case.

18 - 20 yr. olds w/adult - $ 15.00, Under 18 w/adult free

Gates open at 10:00 am (get there early for a good spot), festival is from 12 pm to 6 pm.

Don't forget your blanket, chair, tent (up to 10 x 10), and your own food (no grills, generators, or any other cooking things) if you'd like.  No outside alcoholic beverages are permitted. Oh, and no pets.

Add a comment