Dear Diary: My Life Raising Brown Girls

Disclaimer: I tested these Soapbox products for free, but all opinions are my own. For my first #voxbox, I received a full size sample of Soapbox Coconut Oil Shampoo & Conditioner from  Influenster . I was a little skeptical when I received it because I had never heard of this brand. I was excited to try these products because it said it would leave my hair moisturized. Everyone who knows me know I have extremely dry hair. I have tried so may different shampoos and conditioners and nothing seems to work. Nonetheless, I remained optimistic during this experiment.Soapbox hair care products contain Vitamins E and K, and Coconut Oil. These products do not contain any sulfates or parabens. These products  as well as other Soapbox products can be purchased at  Target  or via Soapbox website.  What I admired about this company/brand is their mission. For every bottle purchased, clean water, soap or vitamins will be donated to those...

via Womans' Divorce Dealing with an ex when you have children together can be extremely difficult.   Wouldn't it be nice if the noncustodial parent was able to put their personal feelings aside and focus on being a parent to the child (ren)?   Wouldn't it be nice if he/she did not include the child (ren) in adult situations and conversations? Wouldn't it be nice if he/she did not speak negatively about the custodial parent to the child (ren)?   Wouldn't it be nice if he/she communicated and coordinated outings and weekend visits with you instead of communicating via the child (ren)?  This would be great, unfortunately, that is not the case with many who are trying to co-parent, myself included. Co-parenting is not an easy task. One would hope co-parenting would be less stressful and somewhat easier especially if the child is older. Well that is not always true and it is never that easy. My daughter is ten years old and some days are easier than others...

As I sit cuddled up on my bed, I decided to turn the TV on and flip through the multitude of Optimum channels. However, there was nothing on that I wanted to watch. As I continued to channel surf, I stopped at two of my favorite channels TVOne  which was showing Martin and Antenna TV They were showing WKRP In Cincinnati . I did not want to watch either, so I continued to scroll looking for The Jeffersons . Unfortunately, the show was not on so I turned off the television. With nothing to do, I laid in bed thinking about the sitcoms and the relationship they had with their spouse as well as with their friends. After comparing and contrasting the relationships, I noticed they all had friendships with other couples. Lucy and Ricky were friends with Ethel and Fred. Louis and George were friends with Tom and Helen. Alice and Ralph were friends with Trixie and Ed. Then I began comparing my relationship to those on the television shows. I realized that my significant other and I do n...

It has been one year since the birth of my blog. When I first started blogging I think I was psoting a few times a month. However, life happened and I have was not posting as often as I should or would have liked to. As a new blogger, it is difficult to attract readers. I was not expecting instant success over night, but I was not expecting this dry spell either. As a result of this and other things going on in my life I became neglectful. I did not give my baby the love, affection and attention it deserved. I will not lie it is a constant struggle as I am pulled in all different directions by everyone in my life. Nonetheless, I know I will get better. Things will get better. Until then, I will continue to write potential post on my phone and hopefully I will be able to move them out of the "draft" folder and into the "published"folder. In the meantime, lets take a look at my very first post. http://www.myliferaisingbrowngirlsnyc.com/2014/03/hello-first-i-would-...

I woke up this morning at 4:57AM. Believe me it was not on purpose. As a result of this, I am tired, cranky and annoyed. This is not a good combination. I'm surrounded by all sorts of noise. For example, loud horns, loud trains loud music, loud people, and inconsiderate neighbors who allow their children to go to make noise all day and all night. They go to bed extremely late, get up extremely early to dragging or dropping things on and across the floor. I cannot stand noise and it makes my ears hurt. Talking to the parents is useless. It seems as though they cannot control them. I expect children to play and make noise. Nonetheless, after a certain time all horse play should cease. I have a ten year old who likes to dance, flip and bounce around. However, she is not allowed to do any activity of those activities during the week after 7:30pm (except Friday), before noon during the weekend, after 9:30 on Saturday or after 8 on Sunday. Between 9:00 and 9:30, Sunday-Thursday, she i...

On Saturday, October 18, 2014 the Bedford Stuyvesant Collegiate Charter School along with La Cima Elementary Charter School collaborated to host their first Mindfulness March. Each scholar and their family member(s) who agreed to participate in the event had to contribute a healthy snack and create a poster that stated why you were marching. During this event my daughter and I along with several other scholars and members of their family participated in several activities including meditation, a silent march around the perimeter of the school carrying the posters we created. We also participated in  reading, reciting and interpreting positive quotes. At the beginning of the event the host asked, "Does anyone know what mindfulness means? Does anyone know what it means to be mindful? How can it help you in your life?" As you read this post you may be asking yourself the same questions.  Mindfulness or being mindful is being aware of our surroundings, thoughts and feelings...

Rae, you have no idea how much you mean to me As you grow into what you are destined to be You came from within; from just beneath my heart it's there you'll always be though your own life will now start You're growing so no longer my little girl with misty eyes I send you out into this cold and heartless world I know sometimes to you I seem cruel and unfair, But one day you will see, It was all because I care. The next few years will quickly go by There will be laughter, happiness, sorrow and even a few tears to cry. As you begin your growth to young adulthood, there is something you should know, you’ll always be my source of pride, no matter where you go. You must stand up tall and proud, within you feel no fear, for all you dreams and goals, sit before you very near. With god's love in your heart and the world by its tail, you’ll always be my winner, and victory will prevail. There are times when I  am crazy and even...