Empowering Children: A Grandmothers Journey Through Generational Wisdom

As a grandmother who observed the absence of representation of grandmothers like myself in online image searches, I felt compelled to make a difference. My goal was to promote the visibility of grandmothers from diverse skin tones and backgrounds, with the intention of sharing valuable health and well-being information customized to assist individuals with similar backgrounds. Moreover, I sought to challenge stereotypes surrounding mental health and well-being.

This led me to create Grandma Knows Best, an online platform offering free mental health resources. Through this platform, my goal is to increase access to care by bridging the gap between service availability and affordability. I envision a community of volunteers and licensed professionals providing a safe, supportive, and confidential space for individuals in need.

Reflecting on my journey as a Black woman who navigated the complexities of growing up in the sex industry and is now actively pursuing an academic education, I have learned valuable lessons applicable to children, students, and adults from all walks of life. One such lesson revolves around the innate desire parents often feel to constantly engage and entertain their children. As I reflect on my own upbringing under my grandparents' care in England. Their tutalege I vividly remember including their frequent mention of the age-old saying, "idle brain is the devil's workshop" as they kept me in Sunday schools, Brownies, and other programs meant to keep me busy. With this wisdom prompting me to reflect on its possible origins and the possibility of them being rooted in historical contexts related to oppressive methods inadvertently influenced child-rearing practices within the Black community.

As a child of the sixties I remember the mentions of societies burdened by systemic oppression, which previous generations developed coping mechanisms to shield their children from the harsh repercussions of. However, this raises questions about allowing moments of boredom to foster imagination and creativity and whether children should have the space to enjoy moments of freedom without expectations, technological distractions, and societal conventions on their time.

For Black children, these questions lead to complex discussions. Drawing parallels with A. Rochaun Meadows-Fernandez's inquiry into society's reluctance to afford Black girls the innocence of childhood, it reveals a troubling reality where certain children face adult-like responsibilities and expectations prematurely with many rules and regulations.

This phenomenon of adultification permeates various aspects of society, leading to diminished protection and increased punitive measures upon them. Which then leads to the question of parents feeling compelled to impose additional rules on their children to shield them from these normalized adversities unfairly thrust upon them.

In essence, these reflections underline for me an importance of challenging societal norms that hinder children, especially Black children, from enjoying a carefree and imaginative childhood. By unraveling and questioning these entrenched patterns, hoping that we can work towards creating an environment that fosters equity and empowers all children to flourish authentically and unapologetically in a childhood free from the adultification process..

Empowering me to create spaces to engage in these conversations with empathy and introspection which sets the stage for a more inclusive and compassionate world where every child has the freedom to explore, create, and grow on their own terms.

Grandma

What we pass forward is a choice. This piece is about making that choice on purpose.

My newsletter, Coffee, Some Tea, and GKB, is written for grandmothers and caregivers who believe that the stories we carry are gifts — not just for our grandchildren, but for whoever needs them. New subscribers receive 10 Approved Grandma Sayings as a welcome gift.

The wisdom you carry belongs somewhere.