My children mean the world to me. My daughter, Imani, is 5 and my little boy, Teo, is going to be 2 in a few weeks’ time. I am a ‘mother hen’ when it comes to my children. Meaning: you mess with them and I will destroy you. I am a feminist and raising feminists too! I know that, as their mother, it is my duty to prepare them for the future, when they will have to confront the world.

Raising Feminists

I want Imani to grow up full of confidence! I want her to be comfortable in being a woman and wear her womanhood proudly. I want her to be ambitious, knowing that she is the only one who can set her limits, not society. I want my daughter to be courageous enough to ‘colour outside the line’ and venture into avenues where others are hesitant to. I teach her, everyday, that she is capable of anything and everything, that she only need to put her mind to it and work hard for it.

Scream from the rooftops

Imani is growing up in a society where women who treated unjustly tend to be blamed for the injustice they are subjected to, and so most, unfortunately, chose to be silent and turn a blind eye.  I will not let her accept that, I want her to scream from the rooftops when an injustice is done to her. And for others who can’t stand up for themselves. I want her to be the voice of the ones who are too scared or intimidated!

Education is power

I want her to read, A LOT, because education is power, and it’s through this education that womankind will be uplifted. I teach her to make her own opinions on people and not believe in hearsay or rumours, to always give others the benefit of the doubt before passing judgement. I tell her, everyday, that she is beautiful and deserving of respect. I want her to grow up knowing that no man has the right to ever disrespect her, nor lay a single finger on her! I want her to know that when the day comes, and she finds a partner, this person should treat her like a queen!

Get to know last weeks World Mama Pamela, from the UK

The “right sex”

I, sometimes, say that my son has a ‘head start’ in society, by being born the ‘right sex’, but that doesn’t mean that my work is any less when it comes to raising him, it’s probably even more challenging. Teo will grow up in a society that will tell him, convince him, that he is better than women. I will not have him believe that! I am raising him a strong feminist, one who believes that men and women are equal in all fronts. I want him to be at the forefront of fighting for equality and to stand up for any injustices against women, or anyone in that matter, who faces unfairness in society. I want him to defend them with pride and his head held high!

A good man

I want Teo to dream big and not see the colour of his skin as a setback. I wish for him to grow up knowing that he is a strong, intelligent and capable man. I want him to know that he doesn’t have to be an engineer or a pilot, if his heart is in dancing! I pray that he does not fall into an ‘ego’ trap, trying to be macho and doing something he loathes just because ‘that’s what society says a man should do!’ I wish for him to follow his dreams… no matter what they are. I want my boy to grown up to be a good man… a good, honest, hardworking man.

My children are my everything, and I cannot help but worry about their future. One thing I know for sure is that I’ll do my best to prepare them and send them into the world as strong, intelligent and confident feminists. And that is my duty as their mother.

Love,
Christine

You can follow this inspiring mama on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest. Christine also has a blog called Munchkins and Wine, where she writes about food, fitness, motherhood, lifestyle and traveling! Be sure to check it out!