Intentional parenting

Tag: family

  • Summer 2023

    Join us for an epic summer as we look to have fun with our families. The activities we have chosen are either FREE or cheap to do over the 6 weeks break.

    These are some of the activities we are encouraging you to do with your families. What do you think?

    More easy to do activities as well. Share with your children. Let them identify the things they would like to do.

    Our challenge to ALL our families this summer 2023, is for you to visit your local MUSEUM and WOODLAND. Our research shows that black families rarely visit these places. That may be different for you and your family and that is good. For the rest, during this 6week school break, let’s visit our local museum, parks, woodlands, walking trails etc. Most of them are free and may have subsidied activities for children of different age groups.

    When you have visited the Museum, or Park, tag us in your photos with #intentionalparenting #IPsummer23

    We also would like you to visit your local woodland. Did you know that only 1% of visitors to UK national parks are from Black, Asian or ethnic minority backgrounds according to the research here.

    More walking trails and ideas here as well.

    For a bonus week, how about a visit to a farm? Check Odd farm here. You can check your local area for farms where you can visit.

    Or even better this AMAZING and super packed FREE activities in Milton Keynes!

    Most of the activities at the Milton Keynes Festival you need to book tickets, so use think link here

    OPERA!

    Have you been to see an opera with your child/ ren? Again this is another activity where black families are usually under represented. Yes opera’s and theatre can be expensive sometimes. Below is a very good offer that families can take… Let us know if you will be going to theatre/ Opera this summer.

    The offer is here

    And we have gone further afield with incredible deals and affordable day outs. Check out these places. First is this amazing paradise with everything to cater for every child hobbledown heath. If you are near Northamptonshire, a visit to stanwick lakes especially on a hot summers day (when the weather decides to play ball) will be great fun. Check them out as well!

    In Windsor there is this incredible park as well.

    How about an EPIC summer camping? Check this event here . This is packed with amazing activities for all ages and it’s in Kent! Let us know if you will be attending.

    This 👆🏾programme is a GAME CHANGER for all 16-18year olds! Look out for their summer program next year and be sure to involve your teen. Click here for more details

    To participate in this SIX weeks summer challenge, join our whatsapp group running from 24th of July to 4th of September. This will be a place to encourage, inspire one another and also share further ideas. Let’s kill the ‘I am bored mantra’ by being prepared and organised parents. Here is to Summer 2023!!

    Link to join us via here whatsapp

    Subscribe to our mailing list below so you are kept up to date with activities and events that we are up to:

  • Hey Mama

    To all mums, are you checking in with your #momfriends?

    Let’s normalise having these deep conversations. If this is your first time seeing our #intentionalcheckin, is this something you will be able to do with your community/ support network/ village?

    One of the challenges of modern day parenting is social isolation. Yes we may have so many followers/ fans, be in so many social media groups be it whatsapp/ facebook, threads, you name it.

    Yet we feel so alone!

    Developing those meaningful relationships becomes key as we seek to thrive in this parenting game. You may argue that ‘me I do not need anyone apart from my children or husband’

    What about your children? How are you teaching/ showing them the power of community and positive network?

    ‘Your children are watching and learning from you on how to live. Inspire them’

    Wilferd Peterson

    My observations and personal experiences is that you only need 2 or 3 people that you connect with at this level of doing this proper check in. People you can HONESTLY tell about the exciting and challenging things in your life.

    If you have 1 or 2 people you trust, invest in those relationships. Diarise those catch ups and honour them because life is very busy especially as parents.

    Depending with the ages of your children
    , you can use this as family check in as well. Why don’t you give it ago. Try at dinner time to check in with everyone..

    Number 4 is also very important, that questions is often underplayed yet a game changer.

    If you are not able to find practical help, in so many other ways, PRAY, Listen, signpost.

    We all can help.

    If you would like to discuss #momfriendship, need some ideas, support, signpostage,… book a confidential 1:1 consultation here

    May be you need someone to pray with you over this issue… do reach out via the consultation line on link here

    Here is to thriving and flourishing in parenting.

    Yours in the trenches with you

    Fadzai x

  • Hello July 2023

    We are here , 7th month of the year and if you are anything like me, surprised at how time is flying! We are finally in the second half of the year and we all know summer time goes quickly.

    With that said, how do you prepare for the new month? Some people like to set intentions, find a word for the month, go out for a family meal, do a family activity, others fast for a day. What’s key is to do what works for you and your family. Setting family traditions/ rituals has been found to help keep families connected and thriving.

    For most Christian families we may well remember that the beginning or end of the month normally involve corporate gathering together to pray and give thanks. Some call it an all night prayer, empowerment night, night vigil etc. This is very biblical as we read in Old Testament the importance of beginning and end of seasons. It’s time to reflect on Gods goodness and mercy. May be the first half of the year was challenging, how do you anticipate to navigate the next half? Probably it was thrilling and exciting, how do you want to continue building on that?

    Living a life of intention helps to keep you focussed and motivated on your goals as parents. It’s not so much about the big ideas but the small everyday traditions that make a huge impact. It matters how you start the day.

    One of the key things I am passionate about is the dinner table. This has been transformative for us as a family. The discussions and conversations we have had whilst eating have been powerful and would never have happened if we watched TV whilst eating.

    This is a habit that I highly recommend to all families especially with younger children. You want to set that expectation before they become teens who want to do their own thing and spend as little time with you as possible. Laying that expectation early will yield some much needed benefits later on. If you have not been doing it, it’s never too late. Be prepared to do the ground work though 😀

    For more details on setting intentions, seizing the month and our annual vision board workshop coming soon, be sure to subscribe to our email list so you are kept update of what is going.

    To find out how I can help you achieve your parenting goals, do contact me via email below or book a FREE consultation via link here

    Wishing you a blessed and impactful month.

  • Praying for sons

    What a promise we have in God as we continue to hope and trust Him with our families and children!

    Rise and occupy your place as a praying parent. Believe in the power of your prayers and God’s faithfulness to answer prayer.

    June has been a phenomenal month, standing in the gap for the male child. As we draw to a close, Thursday 30th at 6am will be a time of praise and thanksgiving for what the Lord has done.

    Tomorrow again at 6am we are praying for his future. What vision has God given you concerning your child/ ren’s future?

    “I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for.”
    ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29:11‬ ‭GNT‬‬

    His same WORD encourages us that
    ‘The people who KNOW their God shall be mighty and do exploits’

    There has never been a greater season to be mighty and do great things as parents.

    May the Lord hear you when you call. May He answer you from heaven.

    May you lift your voice and declare:

    ‘I would have lost heart, have I not believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

    Remain blessed and anchored. 💕

  • Child Q

    Intentional parenting stands with Child Q. As a community of black African parents, we will work with our community at large to heal on the trauma that we have faced.

    What makes Child Q a very distressing and complex case is the layers of abuse, discrimination, injustice the community faces. To rectify these issues requires a system wise approach. For instance, why didn’t Child Q refuse to be undressed without her parents there??

    As I write it’s difficult to imagine what must have been going through her mind when all this was happening. I want to take a minute and applaud the relationship Child Q has with her mother that she was able to share the horrors of what happened to her.

    Thank you to the Hackney Safeguarding who took this forward to the panel.

    We are holding a series of webinars to discuss about this trauma, led by qualified practitioners from education, health, safeguarding, parenting,faith, youth work and many others.

    Intentional Parenting invites those with expertise in those areas, are willing to work with our community to get in touch via our contact page below via email/ phone/ whatsapp.

    We are open and willing to work with both statutory and voluntary organisations in forging a way forward.

    We understand that this is not an isolated incident. We will speak to our children and LISTEN to their experiences. We will LEARN from their experiences and stand with them.

    We promise to make time and read the SCHOOL policies so we are familiar with them.

    As a community we will seek opportunities to be part of the change both in schools and our local areas. These will include volunteering and participating in events that involve our children’s education such as school governorship, PTA (parent teacher association), youth work etc.

    We pledge to continue working within our community and other partner agencies in making sure ALL children thrive and reach their potential.

    To Child Q and many others, we see you. we hear you. As your parents forgive us for times we didn’t believe you, we are willing to do the work.

  • Diaspora diaries: My children and their education-supporting exam time.

    Webinar

    Below are the tips we shared on supporting your children.

    God has called us into a *living* relationship with Him and those around us especially our families, children in particular.

    By investing time, we are able to be effective in supporting their journey into their growth.

    – Loving them despite and beyond the grades is key.

    – Love propels us to invest time in prayer for them.

    – Supporting them with their studies throughout the year is more important than exam day.

    – Speak to their teachers, be involved at school.

    – For most of us, the education system is a whole new experience. Seek to learn from others, ask questions, be open and willing to learn.

    – Let’s be sensitive and empathetic towards other parents who may seem to be struggling at school.

    –

    Here are seven effective strategies:

    1. Create a Study-Friendly Environment

    •Why: A quiet, organized space helps concentration and reduces distractions.

    •How:

    • Dedicate a specific area for studying, free from noise and clutter.

    • Provide good lighting, comfortable seating, and necessary stationery.

    • Encourage short, focused study sessions using the Pomodoro technique (25 minutes of work, 5 minutes of break).

    2. Establish a Study Routine

    •Why: A consistent routine reduces anxiety and builds productive habits.

    •How:

    • Work together to create a realistic revision timetable, balancing core subjects and weaker areas.

    • Include regular breaks and time for relaxation to prevent burnout.

    • Monitor progress and adjust the plan if needed.

    3. Manage Phone and Social Media Usage

    •Why: Phones and social media can be major distractions during study time.

    •How:

    • Agree on “phone-free” study times and use apps like Forest or Focus Booster to block distractions.

    • Designate times for social media use, ideally during breaks or after study sessions.

    • Lead by example by minimizing your own screen time during family hours.

    4. Encourage a Balanced Lifestyle

    •Why: Physical activity, sleep, and a healthy diet improve focus and reduce stress.

    •How:

    • Promote regular exercise, such as walks, yoga, or sports.

    • Ensure they get 8-9 hours of sleep each night by setting consistent bedtimes.

    • Provide nutritious meals and encourage hydration, avoiding excess caffeine or sugary snacks.

    5. Offer Emotional Support

    •Why: GCSEs can be stressful, and children need to feel supported and understood.

    •How:

    • Listen to their concerns without judgment and offer reassurance.

    • Avoid comparing them to peers or siblings.

    • Celebrate small achievements to boost their confidence and motivation.

    6. Encourage Active Revision Techniques

    •Why: Passive studying is less effective than active learning.

    •How:

    • Suggest methods like mind maps, flashcards, practice exams, and teaching concepts to others.

    • Use online resources, such as GCSEPod, BBC Bitesize, or Seneca Learning, to diversify study approaches.

    • Discuss difficult topics together to help them articulate their understanding.

    7. Model a Growth Mindset

    •Why: A positive attitude can reduce anxiety and encourage perseverance.

    •How:

    • Emphasize effort over results: “It’s about doing your best, not being perfect.”

    • Share examples from your own life where persistence led to improvement.

    • Remind them that setbacks are learning opportunities, not failures.

    Bonus Tip: Stay Involved

    Regularly check in on their progress and well-being without micromanaging. Balance support with independence to build their confidence in managing their responsibilities.

  • Flourish

    This was our Word for the month of September 2019. Back then, I had received 3 indoor plants in one month. I began to sense that there was a deeper meaning to the random gifts friends gave me.

    I am in no way, shape or form good with plants. One friend said ‘ the more reason why I am gifting you plants’. Talk of being stretched 😂

    I struggled with a particular plant a bit and had to run back to the giver. She advised me to CAREFULLY trim the dead parts of the leaf, feed the plants organic home food and watch. The organic home fertiliser comprised of overnight soaked banana peels, egg shells and tea bag.

    To my amazement, the plant started to thrive.

    Rejoice

    This was my latest gift, Rejoice and I loved her!

    I felt the law of seeding and harvesting was at work in that season. Seeding, weeding, nurturing and tending to plants requires careful attention as well as commitment. The harvest is bountiful to those who will do the work right?

    “Lord strengthen my hands in place of hard labour(parenting). Help me not to shrink back or give up. Allow my entrusted plants (children) to flourish through careful considerations.”

    Isn’t it amazing that this plant analogy also translates to our role as parents! Many of us we are not confident in this area. We are not sure what fertiliser to apply, how much moisture and where to place the plant so it can thrive and blossom. All this guesswork and stress levels 🤣🤣.

    What I have found to be useful is having that trustworthy and well informed friend. Remember that passionate green fingered friend of mine forever gifting plants? Yes, her! Each time I visit her house she has got this new plant, that other plant and they are ALL blossoming. Interestingly, she tells me that she reads a lot about these plants before she buys them. She is careful to follow instructions around watering, plant feed and placement. She chuckles every time I tell her the plant she gifted me has died..

    While google is available to all of us, my understanding, patience and interests are clearly not strong in plants. Despite my desire and keenness to have an instagram inspired green house of a living room, it just isn’t happening!

    l

    My friend do not shy away from asking. Asking trusted friends to show, guide and lead m. Reach out to others who can help.

    The upcoming intentional parenting Masterclass , is a 6 weeks online crash course on being the effective parent leader that you want to be. More details following soon. There is tons of information available out there, sometimes too much and too overwhelming. Where does one even start to look and who are trusted and qualified people to help?

    Intentional parenting stands as a TRUSTED friend who understands some of the complexities and challenges that come with raising children in diaspora. Our strategies are informed by research evidence as well as personal experiences.

    We look forward to seeing you FLOURISH in your journey as a parent.

    To find out more, get in touch here, via our contact page.

    Remain in bloom 🌷

    Fadzai x

  • Hey mama,

    Hey mama, how have you been? You have been on my mind. I am writing this just to encourage someone who may be saying, I don’t have much to give as far as motherhood is concerned. I am tired, weary, overwhelmed, on my own, financially distressed etc. Here is an encouragement for you. God sees your heart and your desires. Offer those to Him.

    Let Him carry the weight of motherhood and parenting. His shoulders are broader and His feet steady. Trust Him with the load and allow His rest to give you peace.

    Praying for our families especially children is a gift that we give. The Bible says the ‘FERVENT’ prayer of the righteous availeth much (James 5:16 summarised). In another version it reads:

    “tremendous power is released through the passionate, heartfelt prayer of a godly believer!”
    ‭‭James (Jacob)‬ ‭5:16‬ ‭TPT‬‬

    I do not think there is anyone who can be as FERVENT as a mum in her desires for her child/ren. May be biased but hey… 😝

    Pray however suits you. Pray the WORD over your situation/ circumstance and family. Believe and have confidence in your prayers.

    We are continuing with the 6am prayers. For me they have been a source of strength, encouragement and commitment in actively praying for my family and especially myself. I believe it is out of the abundance of what we have that we are able to impact our children. You can’t give what you do not have right?

    Here is my prayer for you:.

    May you know Gods grace and love in such a tangible and profound way. May His peace be in your homes. May you love and love well 💕

    Let us know how we can pray for you https://intentionalparenting.blog/contact/

    If you care to join the 6am GMT prayers, via zoom, link is below:

    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6335913172?pwd=MnNlNGhIK0M3TVRWSVliY1ZIeEVtUT09
    Meeting ID: 633 591 3172
    Passcode: prayer

    Till then, remain fervent 🌿

  • Morning Devotion

    Thank you to those who joined this morning. The prayers continue Monday- fridays at 6am GMT for 30mins via zoom.

    Today, one of our sisters and #momfriend, led us into praying for ourselves as mothers, to be vessels used in our children’s lives.


    Like Moses with the children of Israel, God is asking you, what do you have in your hand? Moses felt inadequate, ill- prepared and unqualified for the assignment ahead of him. Sounds familiar?

    Often times as parents we can feel out depth, inadequate and challenged by the demands of parenting. God is saying to you mom, dad…

    What do you have?

    Yes I know you lack the knowledge, language, understanding. What is it that you have? I want to use what you already have!

    The patience, love, joy, hope, aspiration, dreams and visions that you have towards your child/ren, let me use that! Give it to me. Allow my spirit to search deep within you and REVEAL some of the hidden capacities that I have put in you.
    it’s those hidden things you possess that I want to use for my glory as you impact and empower your children.

    Prayer:

    Lord reveal to me what’s in my hand and heart so I can be of use to You. Show me the capabilities and capacity you have given me. Open my spiritual eyes to see. Thank you Holy Spirit for equipping and empowering me as a parent. Amen”

    Reading

    Luke 10:19
    Mathew 16:19
    2Peter 1:3
    Philippians 4:13

    You can join the prayers Monday- Fridays at 6am GMT for 30mins via link below. Copy the link to clipboard for ease of access :

    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6335913172?pwd=MnNlNGhIK0M3TVRWSVliY1ZIeEVtUT09. Passcode: prayer

    Remain blessed, watered and intentional 🌱

  • Exam

    Praying and wishing all the children sitting their exams this month of May all the success they need.

    May they remember what they have revised. May they have peace and confidence in their ability. Above all, we pray that they will know that their worth isn’t measured in grades.

    We pray for the parents that they will be supportive and encouraging. May parents be realistic in their expectations. We ask that parents affirm and reassure their children. Lord let your peace, love and calmness invade our homes.

    We stand against any spirit of anxiety, worry, stress, depression, unrealistic expectations, confusion and restlessness. We push back on territorial and seasonal spirits that rise up in this season causing havoc in family life.

    We lift up our schools. May they be places of safety and learning. We ask that you empower the leaders in the schools to be attentive, available, astute and aware of the needs of the children in their schools. Give them the courage to remain open, honesty and transparent to the challenges they face in their schools. When they have done so, please help them to find help and solutions to those needs. Father, help the teachers to know and remember how powerful they are in the lives of the children. As they walk through this exam season, walk with them, with their fears, worries and anxieties. Allow them to realise the fruits of their head work.

    Thank you for our tertiary places of education; colleges, universities and apprenticeships. Help and guide these young adults in their decision making and life preparation. Remind each and everyone of them, that you KNOW their future and you want them to do well. Help them to trust you with their future. Quiten the internal battles and societal expectations. This exam period, help them in all the ways they need this month and beyond.

    Thank you Lord that you hear and answer us. Amen