Temi Olajide is a Certified Child Sleep / Potty Training Consultant and Child Psychologist. She is Nigeria’s first certified child sleep consultant, Founder and Lead Strategist at Mummyclinic Global Services, founded in December 2017.
Her organisation hosts an online platform that provides strategies and result-driven solutions to child-rearing challenges. The organisation, which is also a sleep training platform for children in West Africa, helps mothers to successfully combine the requirements of life and motherhood while responding correctly to the peculiarities of the digital age. She has successfully worked with over 1500 mothers within the first year of establishment.
Beyond her certification in Child Psychology, Potty Training and Child Sleep Behaviour, she holds a B.Sc. in Chemistry, a certification in Introductory Journalism from London College of Media and Journalism and a certification in Makeup Artistry and Aesthetic Spa.
Temi is also the author of the fast-selling Amazon book; “Wi-Fi Kids and Analog Parents,” a comprehensive book that equips parents on how to raise well-rounded kids in the digital age.
Background Story To Becoming Nigeria’s First Child Sleep Training Consultant
I remembered travelling to London 13 years ago while pregnant and was watching a TV programme where a sleep consultant was teaching viewers (parents) about how to “sleep-train” children. I was so intrigued by what I saw and decide that this was the kind of life I wanted as a mum. I wanted no stress. I wanted to be able to balance family, life and career without sacrificing one for the other.
The TV show made me research further on “sleep-training.” Imagine having your kids in their beds by 7 pm. Cool right? Having my kids sleep early increased my productivity levels, helped me relax well and allowed me to have time to watch my favourite TV programmes and catch up on movies and my favourite books.
So, when I discovered that many Nigerian mums struggled with having their kids sleep at an appointed time, I did a bit of research and discovered that the niche was untapped both in Nigeria and in West Africa. My findings propelled me to take a comprehensive certification in the United States. I got certified and joined the International Association of Sleep Consultants as its only member (till present) from West Africa/Nigeria. I also decided to co-found the Association of Child Sleep Consultants of Nigeria in 2019.
The Inspiration Behind “MummyClinicc”
Let me share a background story of what prepared me for Mummyclinicc.
After marriage, I sat down one day and analyzed what kind of mum I wanted to be. I wanted to be that mum that enjoyed her life and work while raising my kids. But, the narrative around me didn’t reflect what I desired. The narrative I saw was that being a mum automatically qualified you for sleepness nights, overwhelm, tiredness and exhaustion.
The narrative I saw enjoined mums to choose between their careers and their children. And this made being a mother not fulfilling at all. I didn’t want my life to be all of these. While I knew that motherhood was challenging, I was determined to look for solutions instead of avoiding the underlying problems or wallowing in the “exhausting cycle.”
This made me began to seek for knowledge and read books to find solutions. I wanted to change this narrative. I wanted to enjoy the journey despite its challenges. So, I became deliberate and intentional from day one when I got pregnant with my first child.
And that was the beginning of being an intentional mum. I didn’t leave things to chance, except to pray for God’s guidance and blessings on my effort as I knew God wouldn’t come down to do my job. In 2016, thanks to Instagram, I discovered tons of mums struggling with getting their kids to sleep early, sleeping through the night and potty training. And so, I’d wonder why mothers should be facing those problems when they could be living a blissful life.
This issue gave me sleepless nights, especially since I had no idea about how to posit myself as an authority on social media. However, my late da’s funeral gave me a rethink. His death made me realise the legacy I’d leave behind if I died. So, I decided to finally take the plunge and live my dreams because I knew I was called to help working mothers. I knew it was time to overcome my fears and start to fulfil my dreams of helping more mums than those around me and add more value to humanity.
I knew 80% of our problems are solved as mums if raising our kids gives us some form of peace and joy. This was how Mummyclinicc was birthed. Mummyclinicc was established to transform mums from exhausted/overwhelmed to living a life of enjoyment despite our challenges.
MummyClinicc was founded to empower mums on how to overcome daily mummy challenges by providing them with quick hacks and solutions, tips on how to achieve work and life success/balance, how to improve their wellbeing and state of mental health while they raise well-rounded children in this digital age.
You will agree with me that when the mummy is happy, the entire family is happy. This, will, in turn, help the mother create an atmosphere for her children to thrive.
From Chemistry to Banking, and now Child Psychology. How and Why?
I didn’t use my background in chemistry at all, despite the fact that I had a second-class upper and wanted to be retained by my university. I declined their offer because I’d decided to venture into Business Consulting. After completing the mandatory NYSC, I got a job in a bank immediately.
I quit my job at the bank after giving birth to my first child to allow me to have more time with him as I didn’t have a lot of support around me at that time. Additionally, quitting my job at the bank allowed me to pursue a career in Business Consultancy (as mentioned earlier) even though I studied Chemistry in school.
Today, I run a business consultancy organisation alongside Mummyclinicc. I became a Child Sleep and Potty Training Consultant solely out of my passion to help other mums. I want every other working mother out there to enjoy motherhood while achieving their dreams and raise well-rounded children. And that this is doable!
Image Credit: Temi Olajide
As an Author, What’s Your Drive Behind Fast-Selling Amazon Book – “Wi-fi Kids and Analog Parents?” And Why Is It A Must-Have?
My book is a must-have because it addresses the changes in the dynamics of parenting in this present age compared to ours and how to handle those changes. It also provides the much-needed guide for raising children in the digital age. It is so all-encompassing and it highlights the pros and cons of the digital age, sex education for kids, understanding and communicating with children in the digital age, constructing boundaries, among other salient issues bordering on parenting in the digital age. We need to understand what our digital children really need from us to allow them to thrive and navigate successfully in this age.
In the book, I used this analogy:
“We parents were trained with walls – our walls were our churches, schools, mosques and family. We believed everything we were told because there were no other sources of information.”
Imagine our mothers telling us then that if a man touches you, you will get pregnant and we believed. Even a two-year-old in this digital age will call you a liar to your face. We should understand that we are raising our children now with no walls. If you tell them something, they’d confirm its authenticity on Google. Learning and information are not limited to what we were limited to.
So, you will agree with me that the tactics used to fight battles in a place with walls/restrictions are totally different from a place with no walls. No walls mean more danger, confusing to navigate and porous to attack. Parenting Strategy has to be different, which is why my book is a must-have for every parent in this age. This has nothing to do with technology. It’s a mindset shift!
Temi Olajide And The Mummy Clinic Vision In Five Years
Our vision is to have impacted at least 25,000 mums (in the future) to become more intentional. We also want current mums to become more successful in their careers or businesses in 5 years time. We believe that you don’t have to give up on your dreams or family life. You can excel in both areas.
Challenges On Your Journey & Lessons Learnt
Challenges
Poor internet services in our country is a major problem for me because we work with mums across the world. And poor internet connection makes it extremely frustrating to help as many mums as we will love to. We don’t want any mum to suffer from lack of support or solutions due to inaccessibility.
Also, collaborating with people and organisations can be a herculean task; especially when pitching our services to organisations to help women employees become more productive. We know that many women take permissions many times because of their kids but they are yet to see the benefit of empowering these women with more information as regards their kids. Most organisations forget that when a woman’s mind is peaceful when it comes to her kids, she is able to focus more and exceptionally deliver at work.
My Lessons
I have learnt over the years that failure is part of the process. The failures encountered are lessons learnt and a better way of doing things or maybe a wrong approach to doing the right thing. When I fail (not only in business), I quiz myself about the lessons God wants me to learn from the encounter and then move one.
Additionally, I’ve learnt to never to give up. I’ve learnt that there are seasons – there is a time to plant and harvest. Sadly, many people give up in their planting seasons. You need to understand your business cycle(s), identify and follow through with the seasons.
I’ve learnt to also ask for help, even if it will cost me. No man is an Island. Therefore, create valuable relationships with others and invest time and resources with the team you work with.
Any Vision For The Nigerian/African Child Health Sector?
We are looking into partnering with this sector through Child Health Organizations in educating more families on the benefits of sleep. Good sleep aids the growth and general wellbeing of children. Sadly, many people/parents are unaware of the damages caused by inadequate sleep in children.
The damages caused by inadequate sleep in children can be likened to malnourishment or the absence of a balanced diet.
Tips For Those Who Are Clueless On Potty Training
The first thing about potty training is education. We advise mums to get educated before getting started. Many times, most mums just want to jump into the nitty-gritty of potty training without knowing what is expected of them. Many mums think potty training revolves around getting a potty for their kids and asking them to sit on it. And that is why many children do not cooperate so easily at first try.
Secondly, the type of potty matters. Imagine sitting on a toilet that is too low, too high; or maybe the toilet bowl is too wide. as an adult, you won’t be comfortable. The same applies to kids. Comfort matters especially something you’re weaning them into. If this is overlooked, it becomes a stressful process for you and your child.
Image Credit: Temi Olajide
One Narrative About Your Industry You Want To Change
I’ve heard some mums wonder why hiring a sleep consultant is important since our parents didn’t sleep-train us. So, countless times, I’ve had to explain to them that “life sleep-trained us.” Imagine our lives without the internet, YouTube, 24-7 TV programmes, phones, tablets, generators and other digital devices.
Everyone including our parents went to bed by 10 pm after news and us kids after dinner. So, children in those times were able to enjoy the benefits of sleep. However, look at our lives today. The same body, but different times and practices.
Even as adults, inadequate sleep has led to many illnesses. Our brain cells can only get repaired when we enjoy adequate sleep. Our children’s growth hormones can only be developed when they get adequate sleep. Therefore, we need to be intentional with our sleep in this age. Therefore, something different like sleep training has to be embraced.
Final Words To Women In Our Community
If you can’t get free help or support, pay for help if you can afford it. I did and I’m still doing it because I’m not a fan of giving excuses, whining and blaming my circumstances for not having the support I desire.
Trying to figure things out in this digital age is becoming costlier than the cost of seeking help from people. Growing up in our time required the entire village to raise us. Our parents had their friends, neighbours, pastors and schools as help and support systems.
However, in this present clime, everyone keeps their problems to themselves. You don’t want people to know what you are going through because you are afraid that your challenges might become the topic of discussion in your area or even make it to social media. However, it still doesn’t take away the fact that you need to seek help when needed because you can’t do this alone. And that is why if you can’t get free help, it’s advisable that you opt for a paid/professional one before things degenerate.
Finally, motherhood can truly be enjoyed. Gone are those days of enduring its arduous journey. While it can be challenging; however, you need to change your mindset and believe that motherhood is a blessing and be very intentional with your life/parenting journey. Don’t leave your life or kids to chance. You can indeed raise the best version of your child in this digital age while you achieve your dreams and become the best version of you.
The Lady Boss Series is a weekly interview series that highlights the achievements and entrepreneurial journeys of African female entrepreneurs. The idea is to showcase the Leading Ladies who are transforming Africa and the African narrative through enterprise and business.
It is an off-shoot of Leading Ladies Africa, a non-profit that promotes leadership, inclusion and diversity for women of African descent.
If you know any kick-ass women of African Descent doing phenomenal things in enterprise, email lead@leadingladiesafrica.org, and she could possibly be featured.
