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A famous poet once said children should be taught how to think and not what to think.

Children are not only  custodians of the future, they are like cement and whatever falls on them makes an impression, such is the story of our first #TeensCorner Champion Tunmise.

The 15 year old who was recently featured in a now viral BBC Video where she and other young girls were seen learning self-defense and protective techniques against bullying is smart, intelligent and very vast. From interning at ACT foundation to attending LEAD camp, where she learnt self-discovery during the summer break, Tunmise shares some of her Inspiring moments with us and how she will pay the knowledge forward to her peers.

Meet Me

I am a 15 year old girl with a creative mind that creates different ideas on how to improve myself and the world I live in. I am a lover of books who hopes that one day I will be able to write a book or even start a blog. I am a girl who loves to study people and try to make sure the people around me are in the right state of mind and hopes that one day, would be able to make the people in my environment have less mental issues than we have now.

Hobbies

Travelling to new places with my mum, writing on past occurrence in a relatable manner, shopping, trying new recipes (I don’t really do this too often), reading up on new things that are happening around me.

Favorite subject

I’m a bit indecisive on what subject is my favourite to be honest, but I like to put everything on the same level because I need to know as much as possible on this journey of acquiring knowledge. I would say that I don’t have a favourite subject as all of them are needed to get me to where I am going.

My Holiday Journal

I would always remember this holiday because it was truly a life changing one for me. I started the holiday by attending LEAD Camp where I learnt to fully discover myself and know my onions. I also participated in different life transforming conferences and had the opportunity to intern with ACT Foundation where I had an eye opening work life experience. This holiday is really one to remember as it took me on a journey of self discovery and running with my vision.

My Inspiration

I am inspired by women who are limitless as I see them reaching the peak of their careers without being threatened even when they are in male dominated industries. I am also greatly inspired by my mum even though I don’t tell her much but I really admire her hard work and I love how she doesn’t let any thing come in her way of achieving the best for herself and me. I hope to be like her one day.

Favorite sport

I am not really into sports to be honest. I am more of an introverted person who would stay home and read a book or write about anything.

Impact of the Self-defense class 

The self defence class was really great because I learnt a lot on how to protect myself from harm. Being a young teenager in this part of the world, there is a tendency to face some form of harassment or the other. The self defence class has really taught me what to do in such situations and I am really happy I participated in it because I am now better equipped to wade off predators and stand up for helpless people.

 If there is one thing you could tell the Nigerian President as a child, what would it be ?

I would tell him that he should sit up and face the fact that he’s the president of a Federation with 36 states and he should focus on employing capable people that would make Nigeria work. I would tell him to protect the lives of the citizens.

Being the first to be featured on #TeeensCorner

I feel really excited about this and I am grateful that a child is being given an opportunity to share her view. This is really a great opportunity that I am very grateful for.

One thing I wish I had right now 

I always try to live one day at a time. I don’t dwell on what I wish I had because I know what I don’t have for now is what I don’t need, when the need arises, it will come to me. I think this is because I don’t measure life by what I have. I believe life should be measured by how many people’s lives are affected positively by me.

To my peers..

Focus on making a proper name for yourself and being a game changer. Forget about the money that one will come later.

 

“***Want to be featured on our #Teenscorner? Send a mail to womenofrubies@gmail.com

 

Sleep training is basically a process of helping a baby learn to sleep well, teaching your child how to sleep independently without help like rocking, backing, nursing, carrying, etc., which usually adds to your stress as a parent.

While we all understand the importance of food to the body, we fail to realise that sleep is more important, and is an essential part of human development. In fact, it is possible to go days without food, but just try going three or four nights in a row without sleep and you just might start hallucinating. Yes! That’s how dangerous lack of sleep is.

Now, as a parent, when you’ve not had enough consolidated sleep, consecutively for say three days, how do you feel? Tired, cranky, exhausted, unproductive—the list is exhaustive. The same can be said for kids. Imagine what your children go through each day when they are not having enough sleep, especially four-month-olds and above.

Benefits of good consolidated sleep

  • They are more alert at school, and easily grasp and comprehend things. Yes, children tend to be forgetful because, of course, they are kids. But their attention span and comprehension is better when they have slept properly.
  • Increase in concentration level is also noticeably better.
  • They are physically and emotionally healthy, as the brain repairs and recovery takes place during consolidated sleep period.
  • The growth hormone in children is developed adequately during sleep.
  • Mummy time becomes possible. I mean, imagine putting your feet up after a long day, with a glass of wine while reading a book, watching your favourite TV show or catching up on BellaNaija. Of course, your child must be fast asleep for you to truly enjoy it.
  • Extra bonding time with your partner. Now, for me this is just the icing on the cake! Who doesn’t love bonding time with zero interruption from your little one.

Some of the things holding us back include:

Co-sleeping with your child
While this may be seen as bonding in the beginning, it is a long term recipe for disaster, because you’ll never be able to get enough sleep.

Guilt as a working parent
You know those times you tell yourself you’re just going to bond with your child, but really you’re just bonding with your phone after a long day.

Impatience
Sometimes, we are just so impatient to put the child to sleep. You just don’t want to stop what you’re doing at the expense of your child’s health.

Easily give in to your child
Your child wants to continue watching cartoons till 11 PM, and you agree so he/she doesn’t cry or disturb your peace. This is wrong whichever way you look at it. Who is the parent, who is the child?

5 signs to know your child’s sleep pattern needs to be improved:

  • Your child throws too many unnecessary tantrums. We sometimes wrongfully assume that it is “normal” for kids to throw tantrums, but it really isn’t.
  • Your child cries too much, especially in the mornings.
  • If you have to wake the child up in the mornings, and the child is refusing to wake up or sleepy till he or she is ready for school.
  • You are in and out of hospital many days, except your child has a form of health challenge.
  • You aren’t as productive as you should be as a mum.

Creating a sleep pattern for your child needs consistency and a realistic sleep routine. When you are having a bit of challenge creating a consolidated sleep pattern for your child, as a child psychologist who is also a sleep consultant, I just advise parents to sleep train the child.

Sleep training is basically a process of helping a baby learn to sleep well, teaching your child how to sleep independently without help like rocking, backing, nursing, carrying, etc., which usually adds to your stress as a parent.

Children need, depending on their ages, an average of about ten to fourteen hours of consolidated (uninterrupted) sleep every day, while newborns need about fourteen to sixteen hours. I hear some mums say, I wasn’t sleep trained or taught to sleep and I grew up great, why should I teach my child to sleep? But what we forget as parents is that life sleep trained us.

Remember in those days there were no gadgets, DSTV, YouTube, unlimited access to internet. Children’s TV stations closed 7 PM. Your parents went to bed after the 10 PM news. There was no generator and when power went off, everyone retired to bed. So we were sleeping well and having uninterrupted sleep.

Fast forward to this digital age with everything 24 hours. 24 hours access to the internet, generator, TV, phones, etc. This lifestyle is greatly affecting our sleep pattern, thus affecting the quality of our sleep and health.

That is why it’s necessary to help your child develop a great sleep pattern now. Imagine their lives ten years down the line if nothing is done now in this digital age.

If your child isn’t having enough sleep, or you as a mum aren’t, you’re harming both of you. Is this what you really want? Or would you like to do something about it today? Think about it.

Source: Bellanaija


Many children are becoming gadget addicts. They are getting so addicted to their phones, laptops, Ipads and play stations that parents should be worried. Children who are addicted to their gadgets lose concentration at school and their grades pay dearly for it. Some gadgets have restricted children’s imagination.

As a parent, you need to help your child or children find the right balance when embracing the real and virtual worlds. Most children’s play-grounds are virtual than real because they are always on their phones. They communicate more with their gadgets and this needs serious parental control.

It is true that technology is informative and entertaining, but it has disadvantages too. Parents need to know how to prevent technology addiction. Too much use of electronic gadgets has negative health effects on children. Too much addiction to gadgets causes rise of musculoskeletal problems in children.

Child gadget addiction needs to be treated firmly. Here are 5 tips for parents who want to digitally detox their children:

ways to prevent your children from being gadget addicts

Involve yourself

This is a very important aspect parents shouldn’t ignore. Even if you are overloaded with work and don’t find quality time to spend with your children, get involved by diverting their attention to other activities.

Parents can avoid having gadget addicts at home by spending quality time with their children. They can play games with them. Ask them questions about school, homework and friends. Don’t allow gadgets replace you in the lives of your children. Take action now.

No use of gadgets at meal time

If you want practical solutions to technology overuse, ban the use of gadgets during meal times in your house. Let your children know that meal time is what it is and shouldn’t be used to browse or play games.

Engage children in sports

Some children addicted to technology do that because they are bored. They can learn swimming, play football and cycle whenever they are bored. They can also go out and play with the other children in your neighborhood. This is how to distract kids from gadgets and divert their attention to real playgrounds.

Set activity time table

You can set time for studies, time to use gadgets, and time for outdoor activities. This is how to de addict kids from phones, laptops and play stations. They may find it hard to adjust but you need to be firm and strict about this. Create more fun-filled activities at home for them to partake in instead of staying glued to their phones and gadgets.

Maintain healthy sleeping routine

One of the ways of managing children’s consumption of electronic devices and preventing addiction to games is maintaining a healthy sleeping routine. Make it a rule for your children not to carry any electronic devices to bed.

Source: Feminine