Meet the Cover Models: April 2013

Patricia Nyaboke Maangi, 35, and her seven-year-old daughter, Imani Eden Kabole, grace our cover this month. Patricia works with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nairobi while Imani is a pupil at Nairobi’s Loreto Convent Msongari School.
Q. TELL US ABOUT YOUR PARENTING EXPERIENCE.
A. I love being Imani’s mother. She is an easy baby who never throws tantrums. I enjoyed my pregnancy as it was stress free and since birth Imani has been calm, easy going and well disciplined. My relationship with her is more of best friends as opposed to parent/child. I love spending time with her. She says she has the best mummy friend.
Q. IS SINGLE PARENTING DIFFICULT?
A. I must say that I am very happy with my daughter. I was married but now I am single after going through divorce. I do not think I want to
change my current status any time soon. Marriage is a good thing but it did not work for me, so I have adjusted to bringing up my daughter
on my own in the best way I am able to. We are happy just the two of us. However, Imani visits her dad once in a while over the weekends. Besides, she also has a godfather and godmother who dote on her so she basically does not miss out on anything. My immediate family has been there for me and therefore I can confidently say that single parenting has not been a challenge for me.
Q. DESCRIBE YOUR DAUGHTER
A. Imani is very opinionated. She seems to know what she wants in life and I am willing to support her fully. When she is in the wrong she prefers dialogue to spanking, which works well for me. However, sometimes I spank her depending on the magnitude of the mistake. She is bright in school and her teachers love her too.
Q. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SINGLE PARENTS?
A. First, being a single parent is not the end of the world. Embrace it and learn to love yourself and your child or children. You cannot be happy with someone else if you are not happy on your own first. Pray with and for your children, as this is fundamental in their development. Create time for your children. Imani and I watch movies every Friday and we also like staying indoors enjoying each other’s company.
Clothes and Shoes: Models own
Grooming: Ashleys Beauty and Barber Shop at The Mall,Westlands.
Make up: Joyce Muombe and Linda Maraga
Hair: Edwin Kelly
Imani’s Hair: Monica Njeri
Photography: Ben Muthee