Thank you Fairview Middle School, Principal Edwards and Mrs. Brown for allowing me to educate parents, students and faculty on internet safety and social media influence for Parent Engagement Night. It was truly a pleasure to share my research, lived experiences, and expertise with you all.

As stated during my presentation, I am not the perfect mother, as she does not exist, but I am a mother who does not give up in finding solutions to issues that affect my family and community.

Although I did not complete my degree due to starting my family “early,” retrospectively, during my time as a college student, I accomplished some amazing things that I often did not give myself enough credit for:

• I earned two first place state awards for design as the Layout Editor of “The Talon”

• I was a two time delegate at the National College Media Convention in New York City

• I played “Laura Lyons” in “The Hounds of the Baskerville” — I had to learn how to speak in a Cockney accent (which was pretty difficult)

• I worked part time at Target and full time as a teacher’s aide at a private school

• I was a live-in nanny for 3 years to 3 incredible young ladies who I still respect, admire, encourage and love like my own.

The experience and knowledge I learned along the way prepared me for one of the toughest jobs I would face head on — motherhood. These were things no one could take from me. Education extends beyond four walls of any institution, and while I felt like I was being left out and left behind as my friends and family graduated, I had to embrace that you can always be a student for life if you’re willing to accept that you don’t know everything and can always learn something.

Guilt says, “I made a mistake.” Shame says, “I am a mistake.” God says, “I knew you would make those mistakes and I still love you.”

My mistakes have served as purpose and wisdom for others, especially mothers and children. I am the mom who turns everything into a learning experience, especially while we play, who is not afraid to get messy, make mistakes and learn how to get it right the next time. I believe that you can learn anything, anywhere from anyone.

“Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better that you found it.”

To me, internet safety is all about conversation and deliberate engagement with your child, and if you’re a parent like me, who is looking stay engaged with monitoring your child’s screen time, here’s a quick resource on questions you can ask to start the conversation.