Quarantine, Virtual Learning, and Naps Needed

Parenting during Coronavirus is tough.
Yes, in general, parenting requires a certain amount of grit and a deep-sea diver's navigation. However, I don't believe any of us were prepared for this.

For the past six months, we have been strictly quarantined within our four walls. In some ways, it's been beautiful. Refreshing. Healing. However, we needed a change in scenery. The boys were growing tired of each other's faces. Cali was on fire. The Los Angeles air was unhealthy. We were all tired. Truthfully, since the inception of the COVID-19 + ongoing racial pandemic, my anxiety has been relatively high. Like many, I have been grasping as straws, attempting to make sense and find solace in it all. Our family needed space and room to breathe.

Listen, I don't have all the answers. But what I do know is that taking a moment is needed. Assuming space is necessary. Parenting during a time like this is hard. It's exhausting even. Please know that you have permission to pause. Cry. Laugh—order in. Take a nap. Take care and take space. I see you. We're all out here trying our best. You're doing great. How are you self-caring today?

WAP

We hold shame within our bodies.
Do not touch.
Do not look.
Do not feel.
Our relationship to our bodies can be complicated and nuanced, dancing between moments of empowerment and distrust. Where did this originate? How did we get here?

Many have heard Cardi B and Meg the Stallion's new single, WAP. Some have loved it and embraced, while others have exhibited big feelings surrounding black women expressing their sexuality and embracing what pleases them openly. I am here for it, not just because our male counterparts express their sexual desire all the damn time (and often it is laced with misogyny + and toxic masculinity). I am here for it because I am anti shame - Especially when it comes to our bodies.

Our bodies do magical things. Beyond birthing babies, our vaginas, provide moisture to keep ourselves healthy and balanced. Our vaginas even clean themselves. Yep, our vaginas are self-cleaning. When it comes to arousal, the clitoris is much like the penis, as it has a hood and a shaft, expect it has almost double the number of nerve endings as its male counterpart (around 8,000 nerve endings to be exact.) The clit is such a beautiful house of pleasure; only 1/4 exists outside of the body, while 3/4 remains inside.

In the words of my dear friend, Dr. Kameelah Phillips, "Our WAP speaks to us.
The lubrication says, "Hey girl, get your groove on."
The fragrance says, "I'm here! I'm just chillin' and healthy."
The color says, "Hey, your flow is on its way-get ready."