Mommy Oyoyo

Stepmothers generally have a bad connotation from negative stereotypes driven by fairytales and folklore around the world. In this episode, I speak with Tambari about her high and low experiences of stepmotherhood. She recently started the @GoodStepmother brand on Instagram to fight the negativity surrounding step-parenting and push more positive content and provide support to a community of stepmothers. Tambari shares her candid thoughts and opinions on issues relating to stepmotherhood, e.g. the rivalry between birth mothers and stepmothers, when a potential stepmother should be introduced to her future stepchildren, etc.  Check out Tambari for more wholesome and positive content for stepmothers @GoodStepmother on Instagram. RELATED EPISODES 5. Not Your Typical African Father 25. Life as a Single Mother 31. Divorced African Mother 54. Single Mom Life 67. Dating As a Single Mom 68. My Coparenting Experience 69. It Takes a Village to Raise a Child Follow Mommy Oyoyo on social media @MommyOyoyo. Don't forget to rate, review, share and subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, Amazon, Anchor and more! You can also leave a voice note HERE! Share your feedback to any episode, the podcast and any suggestions for future topics.

In today's world where society seems to be more and more materialistic and entitled, how do we raise children to have an attitude of gratitude? In this episode I share my thoughts on teaching children to be more grateful, with examples from my own parenting experience. I talk about some of the benefits of living a grateful life, and share practical ways to teach children to be grateful. RELATED EPISODES 2. Children's Birthday Parties 4. Discipline and How Early is too Early 15. Your Child is Spoiled Follow Mommy Oyoyo on social media @MommyOyoyo. Don't forget to rate, review, share and subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, Amazon, Anchor and more! You can also leave a voice note HERE! Share your feedback to any episode, the podcast and any suggestions for future topics.

When your children ask if they can go to their friends' houses for sleepovers, how do you respond? In this episode I share my thoughts on letting my daughter sleep over at someone else's house, as well as results from a poll posted on Instagram asking parents if they would let their child go to a sleepover. I also share a few tips for those parents who are considering letting their children attend a sleepover.  RELATED EPISODE 60. Teaching Children About Consent Follow Mommy Oyoyo on social media @MommyOyoyo. Don't forget to rate, review, share and subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, Amazon, Anchor and more! You can also leave a voice note HERE! Share your feedback to any episode, the podcast and any suggestions for future topics.

In this episode, I shared responses from the Mommy Oyoyo audience to the question, "Should we be friends with our children? Yay or Nay?" The responses were varied with some advocating for being friends with our children, a few saying we should not be friends with our children, and others stating that there should be a balance between parenting and friendship. I share what my opinion was, and how I see things a little differently after doing some research into the topic. Listen to find out what I learned from reading a few articles on the subject matter and what majority of child psychologists and specialists have to say. RELATED EPISODES 59. Parenting Styles 21. No-Shout Parenting 15. Your Child is Spoiled 4. How Early is Too Early to Discipline a Child Follow Mommy Oyoyo on social media @MommyOyoyo and the website at www.mommyoyoyo.com. Don't forget to rate, review, share and subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, Amazon, Anchor and more! You can also leave a voice note HERE! Share your feedback to any episode, the podcast and any suggestions for future topics.

In this episode Dr. Ijeoma Kola shares about her approach to parenting her toddler long-distance. Ijeoma talks about the decision for her family to maintain residences in two countries (Kenya and America), which takes her away from her son for a few weeks at a time. We discuss why mothers are reprimanded for prioritizing their careers, whereas fathers aren't. Ijeoma also shares what caused her to feel Mom Guilt and practical tips to mothers who may have to move long-distance in order to push their careers/education further. Follow and find out more about Dr. Ijeoma at www.ijeomakola.com and on social media @ijeomakola. Check out her nonprofit Cohort Sistas at www.cohortsistas.com and on social media @cohortsistas RELATED EPISODES 49. Managing Motherhood and C-Level Career 55. Being a Mom Boss Without Mom Guilt 56. Going Back to School as a Mom Follow Mommy Oyoyo via the website at www.mommyoyoyo.com and on social media @MommyOyoyo. Don't forget to rate, review, share and subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, Amazon, Anchor and more! You can also leave a voice note HERE! Share your feedback to any episode, the podcast and any suggestions for future topics.

In this episode I speak with Titi Sule about her work as an author, and helping her seven year-old son become a first-time author! Titi shares how her son came about to writing a book on his own, her initial hesitation, working with him to edit and eventually publish his book! Listen to hear some practical tips on how to foster creativity and learning within young children. You can find Titi online at her website: https://tzsonline.com and check out some of her work below: Zaki & Zoltan Adventures - Books and Youtube Channel Konga Series Also order her son, Zaki's book The Man Who Went to the Moon RELATED EPISODES 51. Youtube Mom Follow Mommy Oyoyo on social media @MommyOyoyo. Don't forget to rate, review, share and subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, Amazon, Anchor and more! You can also leave a voice note HERE! Share your feedback to any episode, the podcast and any suggestions for future topics.

We have all heard the phrase, "It takes a village to raise a child." It is an African proverb that speaks to the community or collective action of people in raising children. According to Wikipedia, "[it] means that an entire community of people must provide for and interact positively with children for those children to experience and grow in a safe and healthy environment." Essentially, parenting involves more than just the parents. In this episode, I share 10 places where you can find people to be a part of your own parenting village! RELATED EPISODES 40. Mom Friends Follow Mommy Oyoyo on social media @MommyOyoyo. Don't forget to rate, review, share and subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, Amazon, Anchor and more! You can also leave a voice note HERE! Share your feedback to any episode, the podcast and any suggestions for future topics.

In this episode I share about how coparenting has gone so far. I share candidly about some of the harder times, including periods when we couldn't stand to talk to each other (hello BLOCK button, LOL!). I also talk about how things are faring currently, and my ultimate wish for our coparenting relationship. RELATED EPISODES 54. Single Mom Life 66. Child Support 31. Dealing with Divorce as an African Mum feat. Vera 25. Life as Single Mother feat. Ebube 67. Dating as a Single Mother feat. Ebube Follow Mommy Oyoyo on social media @MommyOyoyo. Don't forget to rate, review, share and subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, Amazon, Anchor and more! You can also leave a voice note HERE! Share your feedback to any episode, the podcast and any suggestions for future topics.

In this episode, my second-time guest, Ebube gives us a life update! Since she first appeared on the podcast as a Single Mom, Ebube is now married and shares what her thought-process and journey was like as she navigated dating again. She answers questions about what she was looking for, how quickly she introduced her daughter to her now-husband, whether her daughter's father had any input or was informed prior to her getting married and more! She also shares advice to the single mother who may feel like she's damaged goods and should "just accept anyone that's willing to look at you." RELATED EPISODES 25. Life as a Single Mother 66. Child Support Follow Mommy Oyoyo on social media @MommyOyoyo and visit the website at www.mommyoyoyo.com. Don't forget to rate, review, share and subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, Amazon, Anchor and more! You can also leave a voice note HERE! Share your feedback to any episode, the podcast and any suggestions for future topics.

In this episode I share my thoughts on child support - paying child support and also requesting child support from the non-custodial parent. I talk about why some men may view child support in a negative light and I touch briefly on why all parties involved (whoever participated in the babymaking) should work to provide for their child[ren]. You might be interested in my feature on the Clever Girls Know (Finance) Podcast: Episode 196: Starting Over Building a Life Focused on Financial Wellness + Tips for Single Moms. RELATED EPISODES 54. Single Mom Life - Berry Dakara 31. Dealing with Divorce as an African Mother - Verastic 25. Life As a Single Mom - Ebube 5. Not Your Typical African Father - Osi Follow Mommy Oyoyo on social media @MommyOyoyo and via the website at www.mommyoyoyo.com. Don't forget to rate, review, share and subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, Amazon, Anchor and more! You can also leave a voice note HERE! Share your feedback to any episode, the podcast and any suggestions for future topics.

In most African cultures, having just one child is seen as irregular, atypical or maybe even lowkey taboo. Typically, couples are encouraged to have multiple children in the hopes/belief that when you get older, you will have many children to take care of you. Unfortunately, a lot of times, the ability to take care of children financially, emotionally, physically, etc does not seem to be a part of the conversation.  In this episode I share why [at this time] I am perfectly fine with having just one child, even though there is some guilt attached to the decision. Listen as I talk about my concerns, fears, and contentment with being a mother of just one.  RELATED EPISODES  54. Single Mom Life  36. My High Risk Pregnancy  27. My Potty Training Experience  7. My Breastfeeding Story  Follow Mommy Oyoyo on social media @MommyOyoyo and check out the website at www.mommyoyoyo.com. Don't forget to rate, review, share and subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, Amazon, Anchor and more! You can also leave a voice note HERE! Share your feedback to any episode, the podcast and any suggestions for future topics.

It's no secret that women stand the risk of being penalized career-wise when they become mothers. According to the Harvard Business Review, "Evidence from a variety of countries reveals that the longer new mothers are away from paid work, the less likely they are to be promoted, move into management, or receive a pay raise once their leave is over. They are also at greater risk of being fired or demoted. Length of leave can be a factor in the perceptions of co-workers as well – women who take longer leaves are often seen as less committed to their jobs than women who take much shorter leaves. This trade-off undercuts a major goal of legislating national parental leave policies: ensuring that women don’t have to choose between motherhood and career success." In this episode, I speak with Millie Malum, founder of Merging Parenthood and she shed light on how to prepare for your maternity leave, how far in advance to start getting ready, how you can develop yourself during maternity leave, the motherhood penalty and much more. Check out Merging Parenthood on their website and Instagram for more information on merging parenthood and work.  RELATED EPISODES 49. Managing Motherhood and a C-Level Career 38. Balance and Time Management as a Working Mom Follow Mommy Oyoyo on social media @MommyOyoyo and visit the website at www.mommyoyoyo.com. Don't forget to rate, review, share and subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, Amazon, Anchor and more! You can also leave a voice note HERE! Share your feedback to any episode, the podcast and any suggestions for future topics.

This episode comes from my thoughts after watching a particular video that made the rounds on Instagram in February 2021. The video made me question whether there are or should be some limits when it comes to parenting from the father. 

Third time guest Tomisin shares how she and her family caught covid, her symptoms and her recovery in this episode.  Please note that neither of us are medical professionals or scientists. For up to date information about Covid-19, feel free to visit the CDC website or WHO website.  Follow Tomisin on Instagram @TwentySix.Digital  RELATED EPISODES 32. Coronavirus/Pandemic Awareness Follow Mommy Oyoyo on social media @MommyOyoyo. Don't forget to rate, review, share and subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, Amazon, Anchor and more! You can also leave a voice note HERE! Share your feedback to any episode, the podcast and any suggestions for future topics.

In this episode, my guest Kome Olori shared about how she chose to leave her career as a corporate banker for a life of entrepreneurship. A lot of women while on maternity leave wonder about staying home with the child[ren], going back to work, or doing a little of both. Kome walked us through her thought process on starting her Amazon selling business, and starting the She Dares 2 Succeed coaching program for women entrepreneurs. Follow Kome online:  Instagram @SheDares2Succeed Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/shedarestosucceed/  Youtube - She Dares TV RELATED EPISODES 37. Stay At Home Mum With Purpose Follow Mommy Oyoyo on social media @MommyOyoyo and the website www.mommyoyoyo.com. Don't forget to rate, review, share and subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, Amazon, Anchor and more! You can also leave a voice note HERE! Share your feedback to any episode, the podcast and any suggestions for future topics.

*CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE MOMMY OYOYO AUDIENCE SURVEY 2021* In this episode, Ndali, Associate Director of Hands Off Initiative, talks about teaching children, teenagers and young adults about consent. Hands Off is an organization that aims to break the cycle of abuse and address the problem of rape, sexual abuse, harassment and assault. Ndali shared some signs of child abuse to look out for, how to speak to children to prevent and/or address abuse, and more. Check out Hands Off Initiative on social media @HandsOffNG and check out the website www.handsoffinitiative.org for resources on Consent. You can find Ndali on social media @NdaliOzegbe RELATED EPISODES 46. Sex and the African Mother Part 1 47. Sex and the African Mother Part 2 Follow Mommy Oyoyo on social media @MommyOyoyo and the website www.mommyoyoyo.com. Don't forget to rate, review, share and subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, Amazon, Anchor and more! You can also leave a voice note HERE! Share your feedback to any episode, the podcast and any suggestions for future topics.

*CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE MOMMY OYOYO AUDIENCE SURVEY 2021* In this episode, Jayne of FabMumNG and Mom ChitChat TV, talks about the 4 main parenting styles: Authoritative, Permissive, Uninvolved and Authoritative. She also shared tips on how a couple with different styles can find a common ground when it comes to parenting. Check out FabMumNG on social media @FabMumNG and check out the website www.fabmumng.com for motherhood resources. Related Episodes 21. No-Shout Parenting  48. Girl Dad, African Father, Active Parenting Follow Mommy Oyoyo on social media @MommyOyoyo and the website www.mommyoyoyo.com. Don't forget to rate, review, share and subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, Amazon, Anchor and more! You can also leave a voice note HERE! Share your feedback to any episode, the podcast and any suggestions for future topics.

Happy New Year!

In this episode I speak with Vese, the author of children's book, 'Who Do I See in The Mirror?' and owner of the Philly & Friends lifestyle brand. Vese shares her thoughts on introducing and speaking to your children about diversity at an early age. Vese and her brand have been featured on BBC News, Huffington Post, Hello! Magazine and recently won the Absolutely Mama Best Brand 2020 award! Learn more about Philly & Friends via their website - https://phillyandfriends.com/ where you can shop the book, wall art, affirmation cards and also download FREE learning printables/posters. You can also follow the brand on social media platforms @PhillyNFriends RELATED EPISODES 17. Raising a Biracial Child in Africa 18. Growing Up African in the Diaspora 43. Raising African Children in the UK Follow Mommy Oyoyo on social media @MommyOyoyo. Don't forget to rate, review, share and subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, Amazon, Anchor and more! You can also leave a voice note HERE! Share your feedback to any episode, the podcast and any suggestions for future topics.

In this episode I speak with Lizzy, a Nigerian woman based in California about her motherhood experience so far while being in a wheelchair. Lizzy was disabled in 2008 after a spinal cord injury caused by a car crash. Lizzy shared how she manages her time as a full-time influencer, blogger, Youtuber and as a wife and mother to her adorable toddler, Zuri. She also talks about the different times she has had help (Omugwo), what house work she currently outsources, and how she gets in self-care. Lizzy shared the concerns she had concerning her disability and motherhood, and how she overcame them.  Follow Lizzy on social media @TheLizzyO, her website and Youtube channel.  RELATED EPISODES 12. Living with Sickle Cell Disease 51. Youtube Mom 38. Balance and Time Management as a Working Mom 37. Stay At Home Mom with Purpose 6. The Omugwo Experience Follow Mommy Oyoyo on social media @MommyOyoyo and visit the website at www.mommyoyoyo.com. Don't forget to rate, review, share and subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, Amazon, Anchor and more! You can also leave a voice note HERE! Share your feedback to any episode, the podcast and any suggestions for future topics.

In the past, women with children who wished to further their education typically waited until their children were all grown up before they went back to school. These days, more and more women are pursuing degrees and certifications while their children are still pretty young.  In this episode I speak to Nene who recently graduated with a postgraduate degree in Education. She shares how she had to switch her home/life schedule multiple times and lean on her tribe for support while pursuing her degree. She also touched on getting your partner to be involved in active parenting, sharing home duties, and taking time out for self care. RELATED EPISODES 38. Balance and Time Management as a Working Mom Follow Mommy Oyoyo on social media @MommyOyoyo and visit the website at www.mommyoyoyo.com. Don't forget to rate, review, share and subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, Amazon, Anchor and more! You can also leave a voice note HERE! Share your feedback to any episode, the podcast and any suggestions for future topics.

In this episode my guest, serial entrepreneur Victoria Downes shares her journey of the balancing act between being a business owner and mother. She talks about dealing with mom guilt when faced with needing to prioritize her business over attending her children's school activities, and how she has learned how to overcome the guilty feeling. Victoria shares how to lean on your village for help in raising your child(ren) and intentionally taking time for self care.   Follow Victoria at The Village Creative and on Instagram @thevillagecreativeinc. You can also listen to her podcast at The Village Talk Podcast where she highlights black women making a difference and the villages that support them. RELATED EPISODES 49. Managing Motherhood and a C-Level Career 38. Balance and Time Management as a Busy Working Mom 37. Stay At Home Mom With Purpose 20. Mom Guilt and How to Get Over It Follow Mommy Oyoyo on social media @MommyOyoyo and visit the website at www.mommyoyoyo.com. Don't forget to rate, review, share and subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, Amazon, Anchor and more! You can also leave a voice note HERE! Share your feedback to any episode, the podcast and any suggestions for future topics.

What is happening in Nigeria right now is an affront to basic human rights. It is bigger than ending the SARS police unit. It is bigger than police brutality. Is this the Nigeria our grandparents fought for?????

According to Gallup World Poll data, Sub Saharan Africa has the highest percentage of single mothers worldwide - 32%. In typical African society, single motherhood is frowned upon (unless in the case of widowhood). Single mothers are meant to feel ashamed about raising children apart from their fathers.  In this solo episode, I share about what being a single mother has been like for me in the past 3+ years. I touch on emotional wellbeing, finances, family/friend support and answer a couple of questions from Instagram followers. RELATED EPISODES 25. Life as a Single Mother 31. Dealing with Divorce as an African Mom 49. Managing Motherhood and a C-level Career Donate to the Heaven Baby Hope Project GoFundMe to gift families that have been impacted by Infant Loss. Follow Mommy Oyoyo on social media @MommyOyoyo and visit the website at www.mommyoyoyo.com. Don't forget to rate, review, share and subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, Amazon, Anchor and more! You can also leave a voice note HERE! Share your feedback to any episode, the podcast and any suggestions for future topics.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), "Worldwide about 10% of pregnant women and 13% of women who have just given birth experience a mental disorder, primarily depression. In developing countries this is even higher, i.e. 15.6% during pregnancy and 19.8% after child birth. In severe cases mothers’ suffering might be so severe that they may even commit suicide." In African society, the stigmatization of mental health issues is prevalent and typically causes the majority of people to shy away from discussions around the topic. In this episode, I speak with Adunni aka "Zee" about her experience going through postpartum depression following the birth of her son. Zee shared what led to her being diagnosed with PPD, the method of treatment she opted for, and gives some advice to women who feel that they may be going through postpartum depression as well. Follow Zee on Instagram @For.Mamas Follow Mommy Oyoyo on social media @MommyOyoyo and visit the website at www.mommyoyoyo.com. Don't forget to rate, review, share and subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, Amazon, Anchor and more! You can also leave a voice note HERE! Share your feedback to any episode, the podcast and any suggestions for future topics.

Typically, when an African couple decides that they no longer want children, the woman bears the physical brunt of getting a a procedure done (hysterectomy, tubal ligation, etc) to prevent future pregnancies. It is pretty uncommon to find an African man who chooses to undergo a vasectomy. In fact, a UN report from 2013 stated that only 0.1% of African men have undergone vasectomies! A major reason why they don't can be attributed to ignorance, misinformation (No, a vasectomy will not affect sex drive or ability to enjoy sex) and the unfortunate stigma that can follow (Yes, you're still a man).   In this episode, my guest Folabi, candidly shares his experience of getting a vasectomy. Folabi is a Nigerian-American man, and very open with going through this procedure. He talked about coming to the decision that he and his wife did not want more children, why he chose to get a vasectomy (as opposed to the typical African household where the woman gets her tubes tied), the after-effects and recovery following the procedure, and why he is so open about sharing his decision and experience.   RELATED EPISODES  24. Getting My Tubes Tied   5. Not Your Typical African Father  48. Girl Dad, African Father, Active Parenting  Follow Mommy Oyoyo on social media @MommyOyoyo and visit the website at www.mommyoyoyo.com. Don't forget to rate, review, share and subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, Amazon, Anchor and more! You can also leave a voice note HERE! Share your feedback to any episode, the podcast and any suggestions for future topics.

In this episode, Sola Awe talks about being a Youtube Vlogger, whose family - husband and teenage daughters - appear frequently in their multiple Youtube channels. Sola shared how she started and has grown her Youtube channel over the years, involving her daughters in the filming and social media process (from getting paid to privacy and security concerns), managing a career, marriage, parenting, and her side hustles (Youtube, Coaching, Mentoring, etc). RELATED EPISODES 33. I Don't Show My Child's Face Online  Find out more about Sola and her Youtube empire below: Web: http://DiscoveringNatural.com Social Media: Natural Hair YouTube: http://youtube.com/DiscoveringNatural Vlog YouTube: http://youtube.com/DNVlogsLife Facebook: http://facebook.com/DiscoveringNatural Instagram: http://instagram.com/DiscoveringNatural Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/discovernatural Twitter: @sawahtwit Snapchat: @discovernatural Follow Mommy Oyoyo on social media @MommyOyoyo and on the website at www.mommyoyoyo.com. Don't forget to rate, review, share and subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, Anchor and more! You can also leave a voice note HERE! Share your feedback to any episode, the podcast and any suggestions for future topics.  

In this episode, my guest, Lola Dada-Olley shares the challenges that come with raising children on the autism spectrum. Lola's first child was about 18-months old when he was diagnosed with autism, and by then she had already given birth to her daughter who was also eventually diagnosed as autistic. Lola talked about receiving the diagnoses and learning to adapt her family's lifestyle to accommodate her children. She touches on having a collaborative partnership with her husband in raising their children, and building a community/network of families that have children with special needs. Lola talks about having had the experience of watching her youngest brother slip into autism and how it shaped her approach to rising to the challenges that came with her children's diagnoses, including sharing the different therapies each child goes through. To learn more about Lola, follow her on Instagram, Facebook and listen to her new podcast Not Your Mama's Autism that covers her family's experience with autism from a multi-generational lens. Follow Mommy Oyoyo on social media @MommyOyoyo and visit the website at www.mommyoyoyo.com. Don't forget to rate, review, share and subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, Anchor and more! You can also leave a voice note HERE! Share your feedback to any episode, the podcast and any suggestions for future topics.

In this episode, I speak with Iro Obuoforibo about how she balances her life as a mother to toddler twin girls and a C-suite executive in multiple organizations across several industries. Iro is a high-achieving career woman with roles such as Chief Operating Officer, Chief Executive Officer, Executive Director, and yet is intentional about spending quality time with her children. In our conversation, I asked Iro about Work-Life Balance, assistance at home and work, self care, and more! You can follow Iro on Instagram at @hirohairven, and check out her hair/beauty brand @hairvenhaircare or website http://www.myhairven.com  Follow Mommy Oyoyo on social media @MommyOyoyo and visit the website www.mommyoyoyo.com. Don't forget to rate, review, share and subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, Anchor and more! You can also leave a voice note HERE! Share your feedback to any episode, the podcast and any suggestions for future topics.

Ask the typical African person how they were raised and the majority of them will talk about being raised by their mothers, while their fathers were not actively involved in parenting. Traditional African values look at the mother as the primary parent - feeding the children, playing with/talking to them, spending quality time, teaching the children, etc; whereas African fathers are the breadwinners, and as such, supposedly have little or no time to participate in actively raising or parenting their children. We are in a time where there are clear benefits of having a father's involvement in his child's life.  In this episode, I speak with Dapo Peters, a Nigerian-American man, who plays an active role in raising his daughter alongside his wife. Dapo shares what fatherhood means to him, how his father made it a point to spend time with him, his thoughts on gender differentiated parenting and more. Follow Mommy Oyoyo on social media @MommyOyoyo and the website www.mommyoyoyo.com. Don't forget to rate, review, share and subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, Anchor and more! You can also leave a voice note HERE! Share your feedback to any episode, the podcast and any suggestions for future topics.

Sex education is virtually non-existent in Africa due to religious and societal upbringing. Sex is considered to be a taboo topic that should not be discussed, at least not out loud and certainly not in public. In this part two of my conversation with sex educator/coach, Yeside aka OloriCoitus, she answers questions from the Mommy Oyoyo audience that include how to make time for sex, getting in the mood, how long a "good" sex session should be, lubricant options and more! This is a great episode for both men and women to listen to with their partners. You can follow Yeside on Instagram @OloriCoitus and reach her by emailing ask@oloricoitus.com. Check out her waist beads brand via the website : www.ilekedi.com and instagram @ilekedi. For a 10% discount, go to www.ilekedi.com/discount/MOMMYOYOYO Follow Mommy Oyoyo on social media @MommyOyoyo and visit the website www.mommyoyoyo.com. Don't forget to rate, review, share and subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, Anchor and more! You can also leave a voice note HERE! Share your feedback to any episode, the podcast and any suggestions for future topics.

Sex education is virtually non-existent in Africa due to religious and societal upbringing. Sex is considered to be a taboo topic that should not be discussed, at least not out loud and certainly not in public.  In this episode, sex educator/coach, Yeside aka OloriCoitus, speaks about how to discover or reclaim your sexuality, communicating your physical desires to your partner, the single mother and sex, Intimacy versus Sex, and partners with different levels of sexual drives (libido). You can follow Yeside on Instagram @OloriCoitus and reach her by emailing ask@oloricoitus.com.  Check out her waist beads brand via the website : www.ilekedi.com and instagram @ilekedi. For a 10% discount, go to www.ilekedi.com/discount/MOMMYOYOYO Follow Mommy Oyoyo on social media @MommyOyoyo and visit the website www.mommyoyoyo.com. Don't forget to rate, review, share and subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, Anchor and more! You can also leave a voice note HERE! Share your feedback to any episode, the podcast and any suggestions for future topics.

"Everybody wants to hold the baby, but who holds the mother?" (Jabina Coleman)  In this episode, I speak with Dr. Temi Aregbesola-Okere, a public health professional about her experience and thoughts on Postpartum care from an African (Nigerian specifically) standpoint versus postpartum care in the Diaspora. Dr. Temi shares about the topic from a personal and professional standpoint, as well as what led her to create The Omugwo Box, the first ever African-inspired care package or gift box for new moms. The Omugwo Box is available for sale in the United States via https://www.theomugwobox.com/ You can follow Dr. Temi on Instagram @TheOmugwoBox and her website www.iamdrtemi.com. You can also check out her podcast The University of Real Life with Dr. Temi.  RELATED EPISODES 6. The Omugwo Experience 14. Post Delivery Hospital Visits 40. Mom Friends Follow Mommy Oyoyo on social media @MommyOyoyo and visit the website www.mommyoyoyo.com. Don't forget to rate, review, share and subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, Anchor and more! You can also leave a voice note HERE! Share your feedback to any episode, the podcast and any suggestions for future topics.

For the month of July I will not be publishing any podcast episodes as I use the time to rest, reset, refresh, reflect, and restrategize.

Hyperemesis Gravidarum is a debilitating condition that causes sufferers extreme nausea, near-constant vomiting, weight loss, dehydration and even fainting in pregnancy. The first time I heard about Hyperemesis Gravidarum was just a couple of years ago, when Temi talked about her experience having the condition. To  be very honest, I still didn't quite grasp what HG was until she recommended The Sick Film for me to watch.  Temi was diagnosed with HG after suffering through weeks of vomiting almost 20 times a day, and some medical practitioners/doctors who waved her sickness away. In this episode, she shares what the experience was like for her, especially as a Black (African) woman, and talked about the PTSD she still deals with from that very dark period in her life. You can follow Temi on Instagram @FirstTimeMumDotCom and @BabySleepHelp RELATED EPISODES 36: My High Risk Pregnancy  9. Endometriosis and Trying to Conceive 12. Living with Sickle Cell Disease  Follow Mommy Oyoyo on social media @MommyOyoyo and visit the website www.mommyoyoyo.com. Don't forget to rate, review, share and subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, Anchor and more! You can also leave a voice note HERE! Share your feedback to any episode, the podcast and any suggestions for future topics. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode, I have a chit chat with Mercy that touches on different aspects of raising her Nigerian children in England. We talk about identity, language, diversity, building a support system of mum friends, and working from home with children. Follow Mercy online  @immeiko @gistwithmercyandjibz and website. You can also check out the podcast she co-hosts on the BBC - Parentland. Related Episodes Bonus Episode: Sharing My Heart - Black Lives Matter/End Rape 18. Growing Up African in the Diaspora Follow Mommy Oyoyo on social media @MommyOyoyo and check out our website at www.mommyoyoyo.com. Don't forget to rate, review, share and subscribe to the podcast. You can also leave a voice note HERE! Share your feedback to any episode, the podcast and any suggestions for future topics. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Ola Adegbenro, my guest in this episode, shares what having her two children prematurely was like. Her first child was born at 23 weeks (micropreemie) and spent 5 months in the NICU before being discharged home. Ola's second child was born at 29 weeks, about a month after she started Colourful Beginnings, a UK-based charity aimed at providing support to families with babies in the NICU. In this episode Ola talks about the emotions, challenges, testimonies and more that came along with her experiences.  Follow Ola's charity on Instagram @ColourfulBeginnings and website, www.colourfulbeginnings.com.   Related Episodes  36: My High Risk Pregnancy  24: Getting My Tubes Tied  39: Heaven Baby/Life After Infant Loss  Follow Mommy Oyoyo on social media @MommyOyoyo and check out our website at www.mommyoyoyo.com. Don't forget to rate, review, share and subscribe to the podcast. You can also leave a voice note HERE! Share your feedback to any episode, the podcast and any suggestions for future topics. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

It seems like the world has reached a boiling point in the past two weeks: another killing of an unarmed black man in America, and young women/girls being killed senselessly and subjected to rape in Nigeria. In this bonus episode I just share my thoughts and heart on everything that's going on. Follow Mommy Oyoyo on social media @MommyOyoyo and check out our website at www.mommyoyoyo.com. Don't forget to rate, review, share and subscribe to the podcast. You can also leave a voice note HERE! Share your feedback to any episode, the podcast and any suggestions for future topics.

In today's episode, I chatted with Mama Z who struggled to get pregnant for about 7 years. She finally conceived, but unfortunately suffered a miscarriage a few months into her pregnancy. In her ninth year of marriage, Mama Z got pregnant again and on her tenth wedding anniversary, she and her husband celebrated their son's dedication. Listen to this episode as my anonymous guest shares her decade-long experience trying to conceive to having her child. (Kindly note it is a stock photo used in the cover art for this episode) Fun fact: the first time I interacted with Mama Z was when she sent me an email in January 2016 to tell me that she was also trying to conceive - I had written a blog post at the end of 2015 and mentioned that I spent the entire year trying to get pregnant. We kept up communication, going from the random email here and there, to chatting on Whatsapp, and now having a voice conversation specifically for the podcast. I hope we get to meet some day! Related episodes: 1. Introduction to Mommy Oyoyo 3. What NOT to Say to Someone who is Trying to Conceive 9. Endometriosis and Trying to F*ing Conceive 29. Are You Pregnant? 6 Reasons Why You Should NOT Ask 30. How to Approach Someone who is Trying to Conceive Follow Mommy Oyoyo on social media @MommyOyoyo and check out our website at www.mommyoyoyo.com. Don't forget to rate, review, share and subscribe to the podcast. You can also leave a voice note HERE! Share your feedback to any episode, the podcast and any suggestions for future topics.

Is having mom friends important? How do you find or make mom friends? Is there a difference between mom friends in real life versus social media? In this episode, my guest Tomi and I talk about mom friends: whether it's necessary to have mom friends, the challenges of making (and keeping) mom friends, and more. Follow Tomisin on Instagram @the.millennialmum and her Digital Media page @twentysix.digital  Related Episodes 26. Breastfeeding Myths Part 2 feat. Tomisin Follow Mommy Oyoyo on social media @MommyOyoyo and check out our website at www.mommyoyoyo.com. Don't forget to rate, review, share and subscribe to the podcast. You can also leave a voice note HERE! Share your feedback to any episode, the podcast and any suggestions for future topics.

Nobody ever imagines losing their child, let alone an infant. It is a soul-wrenching and heartbreaking situation for anyone to ever go through. In this episode, Lola Igunbor talks very candidly about losing her son Elijah at just two weeks old. Lola's testimony is one that can only be attributed to divine emotional and spiritual healing.  To reach Lola directly, you can follow her on Instagram @damilola21 and to hear more of her story, subscribe to her channel on Youtube - Lola Igunbor. LET'S CONNECT! Share any feedback you have about any episode, the podcast, and any suggestions you have for future topics or potential guests.  Collaborations, partnerships and sponsors are welcome! Follow Mommy Oyoyo on social media @MommyOyoyo Visit the website: MommyOyoyo.com Email: mommyoyoyo@gmail.com Leave a voice note here. Don't forget to RATE, REVIEW, SHARE and SUBSCRIBE to this podcast and help share Africa to the world!

Finding balance and learning how to manage time as a busy working mom can seem almost impossible. Sometimes I wonder whether I have fewer hours in the day than other mums who seem to accomplish so much! In this episode, Dr. Lola Day shares her time management tips as a working mom. She is a married mum of three, a full-time health professional, runs a weekly podcast, and also has a coaching outfit where she helps female entrepreneurs. She talks about delegating and outsourcing different functions to help keep her balanced and prioritizing what is important to her. Learn more about Dr. Lola Day via  Website: Lollietasking.com  Social Media @LollieTasker Podcast: LollieTasker Follow Mommy Oyoyo on social media @MommyOyoyo and check out our website at www.mommyoyoyo.com.  Don't forget to rate, review, share and subscribe to the podcast. You can also leave a voice note HERE! Share your feedback to any episode, the podcast and any suggestions for future topics.

If you are a working mother, have you ever wondered what being a stay-at-home-mom is like? Do you think that SAHMs lounge at home all day, with nothing to do? In this episode, Eziaha Bolaji-Ojo shares what being a stay at home mom with a purpose has been like for her. She talks about transitioning from a job with the United Nations to being a frustrated housewife, and how that frustration led her to discovering her God-given purpose. Eziaha also talked about starting, growing and structuring her business while at home. She also shared how she and her husband share home and child responsibilities, especially during this period when majority of the world is sheltering at home.  Eziaha Bolaji-Olojo (CoachE’) is a Food and Fitness Coach and CEO at CoachE’Squad Ltd, a thriving home-based business where she serves Jesus and Fitness to the world.  Follow Eziaha at: God's Domestic Queens website: https://stayhomemoms.ng/ Coach E Squad website: https://coache.ng/ Blog: http://eziaha.com/ Follow Mommy Oyoyo on social media @mommyoyoyo. Don't forget to rate, share and subscribe the podcast! You can also leave a voice note HERE! Share your feedback to any episode, the podcast and any suggestions for future topics. Check out the new Mommy Oyoyo website at www.mommyoyoyo.com.

In this episode I talk about my high risk pregnancy: sharing why it was categorized as high risk, being admitted to the hospital twice, and having to be on strict bed rest. Previous episodes you may be interested in: 3. What Not to Say to Someone who is Trying to Conceive 13. Baby Names: What's in a Name? 34. Public Pregnancy Announcements Follow Mommy Oyoyo on social media @mommyoyoyo. Don't forget to rate, share and subscribe the podcast! You can also leave a voice note HERE! Share your feedback to any episode, the podcast and any suggestions for future topics. Check out the new Mommy Oyoyo website at www.mommyoyoyo.com.

"You need to try for a boy." "Who will carry on the family name?" "If you don't produce an heir, your husband will leave you." "Your girls will marry one day and leave you... you need a boy."  If you're African, chances are that you've heard any of the above said to someone with only female children. In this episode, I interviewed Chinyere Abang of Yummy Mum Life about having three daughters, no son and what her response has been towards anyone who tells her she needs a male child. Chinyere is frank and honest about having some disappointment and getting over it.  Follow her on social media @yummymumlife and subscribe to her YouTube channel.  Follow Mommy Oyoyo on social media @mommyoyoyo

After trying to conceive for almost two years after I got married, and publicly talking about it on my YouTube channel and blog, it made perfect sense to me to announce my pregnancy when I finally got pregnant. Almost 3 years to the day, I publicly announced that I was pregnant on my blog and social media... and then a few days later, I found myself in a situation where I repeatedly asked whether I jinxed myself by going public. Follow us on social media @mommyoyoyo and SUBSCRIBE,RATE/REVIEW and SHARE this podcast.

In today's world where social media is king, millions of people have accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and an ever increasing number of social media platforms. People share photos of themselves, the things they eat, where they travel to and very often, their children too. With the digital age also comes privacy and information security concerns. From hacking to data breaches and stolen identities, the internet can be a scary place.  In this episode I chat with Tomi Olatunde, founder of The Cuddle Blog about why she has chosen not to show her child's face online, citing some of the aforementioned reasons.  Follow Tomi on social media @TheCuddleBlog and visit her website at www.thecuddleblog.com  Read her post, Why We Need to Take Our Children's Privacy More Seriously  Follow Mommy Oyoyo on social media @mommyoyoyo. Subscribe, share and rate/review the Mommy Oyoyo Podcast

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a new virus that had not been previously identified in humans. The virus causes respiratory illness (like the flu) with symptoms such as a cough, fever and in more severe cases, pneumonia. Covid-19 is spreading through the world at a seemingly uncontrollable pace, the World Health Organization officially declared it a pandemic and the fight is on to contain the spread of the virus. At this time there is a lot of misinformation and confusion about coronavirus, causing anxiety, mass hysteria, panic buying and more across the world.  In this episode, I interviewed Dr. Ada Adejoro MD, a US-based pediatrician and she answered a few common questions about coronavirus, and shared tips to prevent catching the viral infection.  Follow Dr. Ada on social media @Ask_Dr_Ada and subscribe to her YouTube channel, Ask Dr. Ada.  Follow Mommy Oyoyo on social media @MommyOyoyo and don't forget to RATE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE the podcast!

Vera Ezimora is a vivacious content creator who is not one to shy away from having hard conversations. After writing all (and I mean EVERYTHING) that led to the end of her marriage, Vera was gracious enough to share what her thought process was like in coming to the decision to divorce, from the standpoint as an African mother. Divorce can still be considered taboo in a lot of African societies, but it is becoming more and more common within Africa and in the Diaspora as well. In this episode we talk about her deciding to leave her marriage, to when/what/how to approach telling her daughter, and advice Vera would give to women in similar situations.  Follow Vera via her website www.verastic.com, her "I Am African" podcast and on social media @verastic @iamafricanpodcast  Follow Mommy Oyoyo on social media @mommyoyoyo. Don't forget to rate, share and subscribe the podcast!

In this episode I talked about what NOT to say to someone who is trying to conceive. In this episode, women who are TTC share their opinions and input on what CAN be said and how to approach or address the topic. It is not one-size-fits-all. Whereas some women feel neglected, abandoned and alone if their loved ones don't talk about it at all, other women would rather not have the conversation. Follow Mommy Oyoyo on social media @mommyoyoyo. Don't forget to rate, share and subscribe to the Mommy Oyoyo Podcast.

Asking a woman if she's pregnant, especially if you don't know her on a deeply personal level, is a very intrusive and invasive question. It's strange that in our society (Nigerian or African) that likes to keep things hush-hush, people think asking that question isn't a big deal. In this episode I share a few reasons why you should never ask a woman if she is pregnant.  Follow us on social media @mommyoyoyo and don't forget to rate, review and subscribe to this podcast!

Have you ever heard about giving birth like the Hebrew woman? Do you know the origin of the Hebrew Woman birth story? If you have had children or are currently pregnant, has anyone ever prayed that you give birth like the Hebrew woman? In this episode, I chat with Ibiene Warmann, who calls herself a Slayer of Pregnancy Fears. In our discussion, Ibiene shared about overcoming her fears and anxiety towards childbirth. She was aware that the overwhelming information about childbirth is largely negative, with screaming mothers-to-be in pain. Ibiene sought out information that helped her have a peaceful and joyful birth experience. In this episode, Ibiene talks about the Hebrew Woman "ideal" and shares more about her brand, Birthing Blissfully, which is aimed at giving women practical tips to leverage faith, and find the right information to have positive birth experiences.   Follow Ibiene on social media @IbieneWarmann and @BirthingBlissfully. Visit her webste: www.ibienewarmann.com  Follow Mommy Oyoyo on social media @MommyOyoyo and if you'd like to be featured on the podcast, email mommyoyoyo@gmail.com

Potty training is NOT for the faint-hearted! In my opinion, it is mentally and physically exhausting trying to convince a toddler to "go potty." From chasing them down to begging them to just sit on the potty for ten more seconds to cleaning up pee and poop everywhere, I really grappled with the idea of outsourcing this stage of #ToddlerMomLife. In this episode I share what potty training has been like for us. If you're looking for practical tips for potty training, this is NOT the episode to listen to. We are still not fully potty-trained and that's perfectly okay. What I have learned through trying to potty train my toddler girl is this: All in due time.  Follow us on social media @mommyoyoyo and don't forget to rate, share and subscribe to the Mommy Oyoyo podcast. 

Bigger boobs equal more breast milk? A nursing mother cannot exclusively breastfeed after she goes back to work? In this episode, Tomisin and I continue our conversation around some breastfeeding myths we have heard and give our opinions and experiences on them. Listen to the first part of our conversation over on The Millennial Mum Podcast and follow her on Instagram @the.millennialmum Also follow Mommy Oyoyo on social media @mommyoyoyo and subscribe to this podcast! Don't forget to rate and review the Mommy Oyoyo Podcast!

Let's face it - there's a certain stigma attached to single mothers, particularly African women who are raising children on their own. From negative labels to turned-down noses, issues related to finances, time/flexibility, etc, an African single mother has quite a lot to overcome. In this episode, I speak to my family friend, Ebube, who is a single mum of one. She shares very candidly about finding out she was pregnant, letting her ex know, telling her parents (who are pastors), the support she has received from her "community" and more! It is a very insightful conversation and I hope that you share this episode! Follow Mommy Oyoyo on social media @mommyoyoyo or email us at mommyoyoyo@gmail.com. 

What makes a woman decide to tie her tubes aka undergo a tubal ligation? Why does she decide to go that route as opposed to other methods of contraception like the use of condoms, birth control pills or implants, IUDs, or even having her partner get a vasectomy? It is not an easy decision to make, nor is it one taken lightly. Is it solely her decision, because well, it's her body?  In this episode, I have a candid conversation with my sister, Kiki Makanjuola that centers around her decision to get her tubes tied. In an honest and transparent exchange, she shares her thought process in coming to her decision that she did not want anymore children. She touches on why she got the tubal ligation done, as opposed to her husband going through a vasectomy.  She also gives her opinion on whether it is a decision to be made solely by the woman, or whether her partner needs to consulted. Follow Kiki online and book a wonderful travel vacation or cruise through her via Instagram @kikidjcupcakes Follow Mommy Oyoyo online  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/mommyoyoyo  Instagram - @mommyoyoyo Twitter -  @mommyoyoyo

In this first episode of 2020 I recap the last 6 months of the Mommy Oyoyo podcast (2019 in review) and share a preview of what I plan for 2020!

With 2019 drawing to a close, in readiness for 2020 and simply because this mummy is tired and overstretched, I will be taking a break for the month of December to relax, refresh, reset and rest! I wish all of you a happy and merry holiday season and a great start to the new year! Don't forget to follow @mommyoyoyo on social media to stay connected!

"Shouting is a weapon not a tool" Remi Makanjuola. In this episode I speak with the founder of Grace to Parent about not shouting at children as a disciplinary or communication measure. Follow Grace to Parent @gracetoparent and visit the website at www.gracetoparent.com and also follow Mommy Oyoyo on social media @mommyoyoyo

Mom Guilt is defined as the feeling of guilt, doubt, anxiousness or uncertainty experienced by mothers when they worry they're failing or falling short of expectations in some way (source: Activekids.com) Every mother out there has felt mum guilt stemming from different aspects of motherhood like breastfeeding, childcare, career, etc. In this episode I share my experiences with Mum Guilt and how I have worked to overcome them. I also share from other mums (and one funny guy) on feeling mum guilt and how to get over it. Please follow Mommy Oyoyo on social media @mommyoyoyo and don't forget to subscribe, rate, review and SHARE SHARE SHARE!!!

Putting babies and little children to sleep can be stressful, mentally and physically draining. In this episode Kachi and I share what we've both done regarding bedtime routines with our children so far. Kachi does not mind co-sleeping and I prefer for my toddler to stay in her bedroom. Listen in as we share what's been working and what hasn't quite worked in our families. Follow Kachi on social media @kacheetee @kacheeteecircle and visit her blog at www.kacheetee.com Also follow Mommy Oyoyo podcast on social media @mommyoyoyo

How do Africans raise children in the diaspora (America, UK, Europe, etc) while instilling traditional African values? In this episode I speak to Joy who was born and raised in America to very traditional Nigerian parents. Joy shares what growing up as a child of immigrants was like; what her parents did to ensure she knew her Nigerian roots, and what they could have done better. She also shares how she would approach parenting when her time comes. Follow Joy on Instagram @adabob83. Also follow Mommy Oyoyo on social media @mommyoyoyo and visit us at https://linktr.ee/mommyoyoyo

"Mixed. Biracial. Half-caste. Black. White. Colored." All these and other names can be and are used to refer to a person whose parents are of different races. The world is becoming increasingly diverse and the number of multiracial people around the world is growing quickly. In this episode, I interview Aisha O'Reilly, a black African woman who's married to a white African man. Aisha and Kevin have a three year old son and I ask Aisha a few questions about raising a biracial child. Like Trevor Noah's book and life story pointed out, once upon a time in South Africa, having parents of different races meant you were "Born a Crime." Times have changed, yes, but there is still progress to be made in and out of Africa. Aisha discusses teaching her son about race from a young age, shares her thoughts on the "one-drop theory" and gives some insight into race relations and categorization in South Africa. Follow Aisha on her blog: www.aishaandlife.com Follow Aisha on social media: @AishaAndLife Follow Mommy Oyoyo on social media: @MommyOyoyo Subscribe, rate, review and share this podcast! Thanks for listening. 

In this episode we have a chat with Tinuke, founder of Mums and Tea. Tinuke shares what going through the Vanishing Twin Syndrome was like - she miscarried a baby and successfully delivered his twin. She touches on things not to say to someone who is pregnant. And she also tells us about Mums and Tea, an outfit for events, meet-ups and socials geared towards black mums in England. Follow her on social media @mumsandtea and follow us on social media @mommyoyoyo. Please rate, review, subscribe and share the Mommy Oyoyo podcast!

Has anyone ever told you that your child spoiled? Have you ever said or thought that someone else's child is spoiled? There could be a number of reasons why a child could be deemed a spoiled brat, and in this episode I share some of those behaviors, especially pertaining to Nigerian culture. From not greeting adults properly to being picky with food, some behaviors and characteristics that children exhibit can be tagged as "spoiled." Listen to this episode as I share my thoughts and please share your opinions on the @MommyOyoyo Instagram page.

The birth of a child is wonderful thing and certainly cause for excitement and celebration! So much so that sometimes there is a long line of visitors who can't wait for the new mother and baby to leave the hospital, and carry themselves to visit them in the hospital. In this episode, I share several opinions and experiences from different women (and mine too) about the feelings surrounding post-delivery hospital visits!

A very important part of being a parent is naming your child or children. Some people have names picked out for their children way before they even start having children. Some others have divine inspiration for their children's names. As Africans, there is that question of whether to give your children English names at all. There is also the question of who gets to name the children. For single mothers, must the children be given their father's last name? I address all of these naming choices and questions for a fun, light and easy episode. Follow us online @MommyOyoyo and leave your comments on how you named your children, or plan to.

September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month and in this episode we speak to Isowa, a sickle cell warrior and founder of IsoWarrior. Isowarrior is a foundation that helps to raise funds through various programs and initiatives, with the aim of creating awareness for and supporting patients who suffer from sickle cell disease. Isowa shares her life story and the plans she has for her foundation. Sickle cell disease is a group of inherited red blood cell disorders. There is currently no known cure, other than bone marrow and blood transplants, however there are multiple ways of managing the symptoms. In some parts of Africa, the prevalence of SCD ranges from 20% to as high as 45%! Visit Isowa's web page at www.isowarrior.com and learn how you can contribute.

September is PCOS Awareness Month. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is a hormonal illness that affects about 10 million people in the world and is a leading cause of infertility. It is currently not curable but can be managed with medicine, nutrition and exercise. In this episode Titi Oyebade shares what living with PCOS has been like for her, having secondary infertility and aims to spread awareness.

Motherhood is wonderful... and tough! As much as we all wanted children, the truth there are some aspects of motherhood that aren't so great or sweet. Whether it's your children never giving you space or privacy, or being a single mother, we all have our struggles. We all love our children... BUT! This episode features write-ins from our audience who share some funny and some hard struggles they are facing in motherhood.

In this episode, Kunbi Odubogun shares her story about her struggles with Endometriosis and Infertility. Endometriosis is a debilitating disease that is grossly under-reported by indigenous African women due to different factors including poor awareness, and taboos/shaming around periods/menstruation. It is also a leading cause of infertility and pelvic issues. This episode is a no-holds barred conversation and a very honest and transparent look at what some African women face and usually have to hide about and keep to themselves. Follow Kunbi online @perfete, subscribe to the Perfete Podcast, and also join the Trying to Freaking Conceive community at www.ttfcnow.com

Homeschooling in Africa (in this episode, Nigeria specifically) is not the norm. Traditionally young children are either just kept at home without a learning structure or sent to creche/daycare/preschool. In this episode, we hear from Tomilola Olatunde about why she has chosen to homeschool her child, the challenges and wins she has experienced with homeschooling, and she also gives practical advice to parents who might be interested in homeschooling their children. It's not as easy as it looks!

World Breastfeeding Week is an annual celebration and campaign to foster and encourage breastfeeding across the world. The aim is to empower parents, enable breastfeeding. In today's episode I share my personal experience and struggles with Breastfeeding. I also want to thank the ladies who sent in their experiences as well. The more information we share, the easier it is to understand each other.

Omugwo is the Igbo word that describes the practice of when a woman's mother or mother-in-law comes to help her out after she's given birth. For a period of time, postpartum care is showered on the new mum and her child(ren) and it's important to manage expectations. Potential issues that may arise are which grandmother gets to come first, what is expected by all parties, possible disagreements, etc. In this episode, I talk a little bit about what the Omugwo experience is like, and how to overcome or deal with the aforementioned issues.

The stereotypical African father is not very involved in raising his children. More often than not, the typical African man leaves the daily hands-on parenting activities to the children's mother. In today's episode I speak with Osi who's not your typical African dad and who is actively involved in parenting his son. He shares his fatherhood experience so far, including how he fared as a single dad for some time.

Discipline is the act of training someone to obey rules and using punishment to correct disobedience. As Nigerians (or maybe Africans or black people at large) many of us were subjected to being spanked or flogged as part of discipline. These days though, it seems more people are shying away from physical discipline methods and using other forms of correction. In this episode I share 3 levels of discipline my daughter's pediatrician advised me to use. I also ask how early is too early to start disciplining a child.

Why do a lot of Africans like to do amebo and give unsolicited advice? While trying to conceive, there are certain things that a woman or couple does not need to hear. In today's episode I shared some of the comments that were thrown my way before I finally got pregnant. I also share from my followers some of the things that were or have been said to them in their period of waiting to get pregnant. Listen in and learn what NOT to say, and what can be said to convey your support.

Africans like to party! From weddings to graduations to even kids birthday parties! I'm talking about renting event spaces, spending lots of money on food, decor, photography for a child's birthday party. I'm of the "Small Birthday Parties" persuasion myself. I hope you enjoy this episode as I share my thoughts on children's birthday parties.

Welcome to the Mommy Oyoyo podcast. In this first episode, I introduce the podcast and explain where the idea came from, my hopes and expectations of Mommy Oyoyo and giving a voice to the African mother!