Saweetie has captured all of our hearts, simply by being her joyous, carefree self. She's unproblematic, she minds her business. She lives out loud and by her own rules. And she loves her boyfriend, Quavo, publicly for the world to see. The two began dating in 2018, when Quavo infamously slid in her DMs with a cute—or cheesy, depending on who you ask—pick-up line. Since, the two have been inseprable, making headline after headline, traveling the world, and attending various (pre-COVID) award shows as young hip-hop royalty.
And even so, Saweetie never allowed her personal life to deter her from knowing boldly, and unapologetically, that she's exactly where she's supposed to be.
She discussed what this means recently, while on the promo trail for her current projects. When asked about her bae, and how she navigates her high-profile relationship, she told the ladies of The Real:
"In the beginning, it was difficult because as a woman, especially a woman in hip-hop, they're always trying to credit a man for a woman's success, which is why I kind of tip-toed around the relationship, and which is why I gave y'all the answers that I gave y'all back in the day."
She continued:
"But now that I am just continuing to persevere with success and just consistency, the relationship is what it is now. We love each other, we support each other, we give each other advice, so it's nice, it's cute, and it's...relationship-y."
In a past visit to the show, Saweetie downplayed their relationship, saying instead that "they had worked together" and "been getting to know each other" to which the ladies saw through all the Maybelline and called her out various times. And playing coy likely worked in the long run, being that she has had multiple chart-topping singles, and one in current rotation, "Best Friend". She also has even began adding acting credits under her belt, which is the direction she plans on taking her career once she becomes more rooted in her current passion of music.
"I know I'm known as a fashion girl, music girl, beauty girl, but before all of that, I'm a business girl."
*poetry snaps*
And not only does Saweetie take credit for her own damn success, her brand is also based on pulling up other women with her with frequent collaborations with other female artists, creating what she describes as "empowering, inspiring, but also fun," music, thus redefining and proving her bankability—which is all part of her very calculated master plan, of course.
Aight, sis, tap in.
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The origin of the word "discipline" can be traced back to the Latin word "disciplina," which means "instruction" or "teaching." Over time, however, discipline has come to be synonymous with punishment, with parents relying on shame, fear, and/or physical pain to curb undesirable behavior.
Teaching takes time, so nipping it in the bud in whatever fashion parents deem necessary (within reason) has become the norm. But is this what’s best for children? And when does it become less about curbing undesirable behavior and more about getting our licks back for offenses we feel our children should know better to do?
In my work as a parenting coach, I’ve often heard parents say, “I asked him nicely three times before spanking him. He didn’t stop doing it until I did, so clearly talking doesn’t work.”
And the parent isn’t wrong. Talking often doesn’t work the first, the third, or the even the 10th time. And the reason is directly tied to brain development.
Children cannot and do not process information the way an adult can. Auditory processing is not fully developed until a child is 14 or 15 years old. And even then, if a child has auditory processing delays or Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), they may always struggle with processing auditory commands. According to Susie S. Loraine, MA, CCC-SLP, the term auditory processing refers to how the brain perceives and interprets sound information. Several skills determine auditory processing ability—or listening success. They develop in a general four-step hierarchy, but all work together and are essential for daily listening.
Without this understanding, discipline can easily become revenge because parents will then view their child’s misdeeds as a personal slight. Instead of teaching them to do better, parents now want to show them the consequences of not doing better. This is why it's imperative for parents to discern between discipline and revenge to maintain healthy relationships with their children.
5 WAYS TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND RETALIATION:
Understanding The Intent
Discipline is rooted in love and concern for the child's well-being. It focuses on teaching lessons and helping children understand the consequences of their actions. Conversely, revenge-driven actions stem from a desire to inflict pain or punishment as payback for perceived slights or disobedience. Parents should reflect on their motives before taking disciplinary actions. Ask yourself whether your intention is to help your child learn or to make them suffer for upsetting you.
Example: If a child accidentally breaks a valuable item, a disciplinary response would involve discussing the importance of being careful and working with the child to come up with a way to replace or fix what they’ve broken. On the other hand, a vengeful reaction might involve yelling, harsh punishment, or bringing up past mistakes to intensify guilt.
Maintaining Emotional Regulation
Effective discipline requires parents to remain calm and composed, even in challenging situations. It's natural to feel upset or frustrated when children misbehave, but responding with anger or resentment can escalate the situation and blur the line between discipline and revenge. Before addressing the issue, take a moment to breathe and collect your thoughts.
Example: If a child cannot follow instructions, a disciplined response would involve calmly explaining why their cooperation is necessary in working with the child to accomplish the goal. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve shouting, name-calling, or resorting to physical punishment out of anger.
Promoting Growth and Learning
Discipline should always aim to promote growth and learning. It involves guiding children toward making better choices and understanding the impact of their actions on themselves and others. Effective discipline strategies include positive reinforcement, setting clear expectations, and providing opportunities for reflection and growth.
Example: If a child repeatedly forgets to complete their chores, a disciplinary approach would involve discussing the importance of responsibility and finding solutions together, such as creating a chore chart or setting reminders with Siri or Alexa. In contrast, a revenge-driven response might involve imposing overly harsh punishments or belittling the child, which can undermine their self-esteem and hinder their ability to learn from their mistakes.
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Building Trust and Communication
Trust and open communication are essential components of a healthy parent-child relationship. Discipline should strengthen this bond by fostering trust and encouraging children to confide in their parents without fear of judgment or retaliation. When children feel safe and supported, they're more likely to accept discipline as a form of guidance rather than punishment.
Example: If a child admits to breaking a rule or making a mistake, a disciplined response would involve listening to their perspective, discussing the consequences of their actions, and working together to find a solution. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve accusations, blame, or shutting down communication, which can erode trust and damage the parent-child relationship.
Seeking Professional Guidance
Parenting is a learning journey, and, disciplining children is a delicate balance between guiding them toward responsible behavior and nurturing their growth. By understanding the intent behind our actions, maintaining emotional regulation, promoting growth and learning, building trust and communication, and seeking professional guidance when needed, as parents we can help our children built on love, respect, and understanding.
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