21-year-old millennial supermodel Slick Woods has managed to bring the world to their knees time and time again, and has proven to the mainstream fashion industry that she is one bad mutha (shut your mouth). Both figuratively, and now, literally. In July, she revealed her pregnancy with partner, Adonis Bosso and the internet was in shambles. In the past, Slick has been transparent about everything in her life from her previous drug addiction to her sexuality.
She's made it a point to be an open book for her audience, and like most great tales, her story is still unwritten. She recently sat down with Elle UK to talk about her come up, motherhood, and of course, Rihanna. Many know Slick from her eccentric wardrobe, glorious gap-toothed smiled, and frequent cameos with high-profile celebrities, but few know the details behind hard-knock life that the Fenty model endured before her success.
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The Minneapolis-born supermodel's mother was indicted for manslaughter when she was only four years old, leaving her to be raised by her grandmother. When Slick was seven, a tumultuous divorce left her and her grandmother homeless and sleeping in cars and motels. She told ELLE:
"I didn't have anything. You learn how to survive; to be OK with nothing. And you learn how to use the little energy you do have to give to the people who can't survive having nothing, so they can keep going."
Slick was a high school dropout by the age of 17, and turned to a drug and violence-infested life on the streets. Slick's series of unfortunate events would soon come to an end after meeting an unlikely friend at a bus stop who asked if she had any experience in the modeling industry.
"'I'm like, 'I'm going to tase this n***a.' I didn't trust him. I didn't know if he was trying to make me a porn star."
Little did she know, this encounter would earn Slick her first big modeling gig that would ultimately gain the attention of stars like Kanye West and Rihanna. Slick said:
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"[Rihanna] saw a photo of me on Instagram, found me, and we hit it off. You ever loved someone so much that every time you see them, you end up in tears somehow? She reminds me of my mother. Like, they're the same person. I tell them they remind me of each other all the time."
Slick's mother, who was a gang member, is still in prison, but the young model maintains that their relationship is as strong as ever:
"Being a gang member, everybody expected her not to be the best mum. But my mum was very hands-on with me as a child. My mummy read to me in the womb. And she's proud because she knows that everybody expected me to be exactly what she was. She went to prison when she was 19. I became a model at 19. And I can take care of my mother when she gets out."
Slick's said that her troubled childhood gives her all the more reason to create a better life for her own little family. She revealed in the interview that with the help of Erykah Badoula, she would be welcoming baby boy Saphir this September. Slick told ELLE that she and her supermodel bae Adonis are both more than excited for his arrival.
"At 14, 15, I never expected to ever be giving any type of life; to be this happy with having a child. From not having family to being able to create your own. Things you lacked, things you missed out on, trauma – you can erase that by creating new life. All those things you didn't get, all those hugs and kisses. I can retract those things with my son's life. In giving him that childhood, it heals you as well. In hugging your son, it's giving a piece of that back to you, too. I need him as much as he needs me."
Read the full interview here.
Featured image by Melodie Jeng/Getty Images
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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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