Anything And Everything

The Parenting Power of African Mothers A Loving Look at Tough Love from the Continent’s Strongest Women If you grew up with an African mother, you know that parenting on this continent isn’t just about raising children — it’s about raising warriors . African moms don’t play. They are fierce, protective, loving, and sometimes downright terrifying… but it’s all rooted in deep, unshakable love. Let’s unpack the unforgettable parenting style and “punishments” that many of us still carry in our adult personalities today — for better or for “you better behave.” 👀 The Famous Look You don’t need a whole conversation when your mom can give you The Look from across a room and instantly correct your entire life. Whether you were fidgeting in church or talking too much in a visitor’s presence, that eye was the silent slap. 💥 Tools of Discipline (a.k.a. Weapons of Mass Correction) African moms are resourceful. Any object could become a correction tool. Think: The ...

Why Do Parents Hide Snacks Like Criminals? The Parenting Olympics: Sneaking Snacks Without Being Caught By Anything and Everything Blog Let’s just get this out of the way: yes, I’ve done it. I’ve hidden snacks from my kids. I’ve eaten a Tinkie with the wrapper still halfway on, mid-sprint down the hallway, heart pounding like I just robbed a bank. Please, don’t judge me. I know I’m not alone. Somewhere out there, another mom is currently chewing a chocolate bar behind a bathroom door like it’s a top-secret mission. If you know, you know. 🤫🍬🚪 My kids are teenagers now, but the habit? Oh, it lives on. Stronger than ever. The thrill, the rush, the pure adrenaline of knowing you have five seconds before someone yells, “What are you eating?” is unmatched. Some people go skydiving for excitement—I unwrap a KitKat in complete silence at 2 a.m. 🍫⏳ It Starts Innocently Enough... When they’re babies, you hide the sugary stuff because it’s “bad for their teeth.” And to be fair, it is . ...

  The Silent Work of Fathers: Why Dad’s Love Often Goes Unnoticed  There’s something uniquely quiet about the love of a father. Unlike the warm, expressive, and openly affectionate presence of many mothers, a father’s love often shows itself in quiet footsteps at dawn, in tired eyes behind the steering wheel, or in a wallet that empties before the month ends—but never a word of complaint. While the world applauds grand gestures and visible sacrifices, a father’s devotion tends to unfold silently in the background. It’s the long hours spent at work, the weekends forfeited for odd jobs, the roof kept over our heads, the water bill paid, the tires checked. It’s love without loud declarations—just small, consistent actions day after day. The Quiet Strength Behind the Scenes From the first moment a man becomes a father, a shift happens. He may not cry in delivery rooms or post baby pictures with mushy captions, but you’ll find him pacing the floor in the early hours of the morn...

  Lucid Dreamers: Are They Just Dreaming, or Are They Superhuman? 🌙✨ By Anything and Everything Blog I always wondered how?! 🤯 Whenever my sister said, “Oh, I controlled my dream last night,” I thought she was either lying or secretly gifted. Like... did she attend Hogwarts in her sleep? 😅 And then one day, my own son said the same thing. “Mom, I knew I was dreaming, so I flew over the mountains like a superhero.” Say what?! At this point, I was convinced—either they were chosen, or they had some superpowers they didn’t even know about. 🦸‍♂️💭 But guess what? It’s actually normal. I broke the internet trying to research lucid dreaming. I fell into a deep rabbit hole, and now I’m here to save you the time and dish the dream-tea 🍵 on a gold platter with a golden logo: Anything and Everything Blog 🌟💛 So... What Is Lucid Dreaming? Lucid dreaming is when you become aware that you’re dreaming while you’re still in the dream. And the crazy part? You can often contro...

The Spider That Almost Killed Me: Living with Arachnophobia I think I might be arachnophobia. No, scratch that—I know I am. The moment it became clear to me was the day I dragged my then 4-year-old son across the floor by his foot like a sack of potatoes because a spider appeared on the wall. Not a tarantula. Not a venomous monster from the depths of the Amazon. Just a plain, standard-issue house spider. And I ran . I ran as if it was chasing me, as if it had a personal vendetta against me and my child. I still swear to this day that it would have killed us both if we had stayed. That eight-legged spawn of Satan was perched on the bathroom ceiling like it owned the place. Its long, scraggly legs looked like crooked twigs stolen from a haunted forest. Its body? Fat, shiny, and full of evil intentions. I don’t care what the textbooks say— that thing had murder in its heart. You might be thinking, “Surely she’s exaggerating.” And I wish I were. Let me explain: Arachnophobia is the...

A Hi Bombeni MaTsonga Anything and Everything Blog There’s something beautiful about saying “A hi bombeni MaTsonga” — a gentle but powerful call to action. A reminder that we, the Tsonga people, are not lost, not forgotten, and certainly not fading. We are here, vibrant as ever, with roots that go deep and hearts that beat proudly to the rhythm of xibelani , drums, and the sound of our mother tongue. Growing up Tsonga often meant being misunderstood. Some still lump us all under the label “Shangaan” as if it’s a shortcut, forgetting that Tsonga is not just one thing — it’s a people , a language , a history , and a way of life . There’s richness in our diversity: from the Ronga people of Mozambique, to the Chopi , to the Vatsonga of Limpopo, each bringing a piece of the story. Yet for many of us, especially the younger generation, the connection to our heritage is slowly slipping. We know the dances, maybe, and a few festive songs — but do we still remember what ku ...

What Angels Really Look Like — And Why It Both Comforts and Terrifies Me Have you ever wondered what angels really look like? Not the soft, glowing beings in white robes with golden hair and feathered wings that grace our Christmas cards and children’s Bibles — but the actual, biblical, awe-inspiring creatures who stand in the presence of God? I have. Many times. And to be honest, while a part of me longs deeply to see an angel of the Lord with my own eyes, another part — a much more cautious part — worries I wouldn’t live to tell the tale. There’s something both thrilling and terrifying about such an encounter. After all, in the Bible, people often fell on their faces or were struck with fear when angels appeared. So why has our image of angels been so softened over time? Is it for our comfort? Or are we being misled? The Gentle Lie of Pretty Angels The common image of angels today is gentle, artistic, and highly humanized. We see smiling cherubs in Renaissance pai...

The Painful Reality of Being Forgotten: When You're Invisible Until Needed Ever felt like you don’t exist until someone needs something? Welcome to the silent struggle many go through, plastering smiles on invisible faces while their hearts carry unspoken prayers and worn-out dreams. This is not just emotional poetry—it’s the painful, raw reality of being forgotten or simply unseen. And no, you’re not imagining it. People can be disappointing. Reality will hit when you realize you are only remembered when you are needed for something. It's in that moment that you start to question your worth, your relationships, and your place in this world. Suddenly, you see the pattern: birthdays missed, texts unanswered, love unreciprocated—until boom , someone needs your time, your money, your strength, or your wisdom. And just like that, you’re “important” again. But deep down you know: you can’t rely on anyone. That’s why when you seek help, you don’t reach for the phone—you kneel d...

  Super Hero Daddies: Capes Optional, Courage Mandatory Dedicated to ERIC TINYIKO MANGANYI – A true hero in every sense. Not all superheroes wear capes. Some wear overalls, carry briefcases, or sport that old, comfy T-shirt that never gets thrown away. They don't fly through the skies or swing from buildings—but they do something far greater. They show up. Every single day. With love, strength, laughter, and prayers. To the fathers who wake up before the sun does, lacing up their worn-out shoes or slipping into work boots, ready to face whatever the world throws at them just so their children can have food on the table and a future filled with hope— we see you . Your hustle is holy. To the dads who don’t bring home the latest gadgets or the flashiest toys, but bring their presence —not just their presents —you are the real MVPs. The bedtime storytellers, the homework helpers, the “let’s-go-kick-the-ball” guys, and the “it’s-gonna-be-okay” voices when the world feels too big for...

  Motherhood  Isn’t for the Weak:  Hilarious Truths They Never Warned Us About Anything and Everything Blog Brace yourself, ladies and the occasional brave dad who stumbled in here—because motherhood isn’t for the faint-hearted. It’s not all lullabies and peaceful baby giggles. Nope. It’s snot on your shoulder at church 😩, cold coffee (every day ☕), and answering 57 questions before you even brush your teeth. And that’s just before 9 a.m. We love our kids. Truly. But let’s not pretend like this gig is anything short of a hilarious, slightly chaotic rollercoaster with no seatbelt. 1. Sleep is a Myth They Sell to Non-Parents Before motherhood: “I can’t function without 8 hours of sleep.” After motherhood: “Three hours and a lukewarm coffee? I’m basically a superhero.” 🦸‍♀️ No one warns you that newborns don’t sleep through the night. They sleep throughout the night—in 23-minute intervals. And don’t get me started on sleep regression. Just when you think you're wi...