Hi Sunshine Crew,
I have such a beautiful announcement to make. On July 21st, I became “senior mother” to the most perfect baby girl. “What’s a senior mother?” You may ask. Well, I only found out the meaning when I started talking to my sister’s new family here in Ghana. Here’s the role as told by my niece’s family: the title is given to the eldest girl sibling when her younger sibling has a child. You, as the oldest girl, become senior mother to your younger siblings child. It’s a girl thing strictly on the maternal side.
Something like that.
So it is with great pleasure that I announce that my strong, phenomenal younger sister is now a mama. Our girl gang just got a whole lot cuter and sweeter.
What do I say about such a time as this?
Well… I’ll try to keep this short. It has been so wonderful seeing my sister transition into a new role. She’s nurturing by nature, so it’s been so beautiful seeing her become what she’s prepared for her whole life… a mother.
As for me, I’m an auntie now, and there are no complicated feelings around that. I am honored to be Mauntie to Tenisha’s little one (honoring the senior mother tradition and my American title of auntie). I’m choosing a life of protecting, supporting, loving, caring, guiding, and so much more. This child is, too, my responsibility.
As many as you know, Tenisha is more than my sister; she is my best friend. We are closer than close. And the fact that she and her honey have chosen to have me be a part of their child’s life forever as both godmom and auntie, my heart just might explode. Tenisha often says that I’m proof that God loves her but I wish she knew that she’s proof that God loves me! He saw fit to match her with someone who wouldn’t try to break our relationship but speaks life into it and encourages it. When so many people told us our relationship would change as she transitions into wife and mother, God saw fit to fortify our bond. We are unshakeable. We are resilient.
There are really no words for how deeply grateful I am for our sisterhood, partnership, and friendship. I am so excited to see how I relationship grows but I am even more thrilled that her daughter will get see women in relationship. She will see kindness, she will see love, she will see laughter, she will see joy. And with that, she will experience joy under the sun daily. What a gift! Her knowledge of how women operate, collaborate, and fellowship will be positive. And I love that for her.
Our mother sister village is ready for all of the mothering coming our way. May the mamasisterhood era commence!
I would love to know your thoughts on how mothering works in your “village”. Are there senior mothers? Are there godmoms? If you are godson or aunt, how do you balance your friendships and being a supportive “mothering” figure?
Also… feel free to share all of your Mauntie tips below!
With a Joyful Heart,
Mauntie Shanda
Hi Mauntie! 👋🏽
CONGRATULATIONS!!! May you bless your niece with your faith, love, wisdom, and strength. Pass along to her the qualities you possess that please God. Remember, more is caught than taught!
🦩👶🏽💕