25 Wedding Souvenirs Your Guests Will Love

25 Wedding Souvenirs Your Guests Will Love

When it comes to weddings, guests look forward to food, dress, venue and of course those wedding souvenirs they’ll be taking home. I know I do. So what are those wedding souvenirs ideas your guests will love in Nigeria? I’ll tell you in a minute. But first…

What is A Souvenir?

A wedding souvenir is an item or a gift that holds sentimental value to remember and eventually by. This act of giving makes your guest feel loved, appreciated and you keep your wedding memory fresh and alive in their homes.

Souvenirs are important, no matter how little when it comes to weddings. The wedding souvenir ideas in Nigeria you should give out should be functional, beautiful and unique in their way. You don’t want to give out gifts your guest will leave lying around the house eating up space or even thrown away. Rather, you want them to use what you give, you want to keep your wedding memorable to them.

Do you want to give out a memorable yet functional souvenir to your guests? That’s where I hope this article comes in handy. I’ll be sharing wedding souvenirs ideas in Nigeria I believe to be memorable, practical and functional as well. Remember, wedding souvenirs depends on the couple’s taste, preferences and above all, budgets.

Wedding Souvenirs Ideas in Nigeria

1. Household Items

kitchen utensils
kitchen utensils

If your Mom is into weddings, you’d know this is very important cause never do they go to a wedding without coming back with such items.

And guess what?! There are tons to choose from among household items from the kitchen to bathroom and living room. It could be bathing and cooking bowls, a set of cutleries, a toothbrush holder, a rice strainer, even coloured cups. You won’t have your kids giving you a headache over who took each other’s cup as they will each have to pick their own favourite colours.

These items are indeed used daily in a typical Nigerian household and guests will definitely love and appreciate this. It’s like an old tradition that has stayed the longest among wedding souvenirs ideas in Nigeria. So, yes household items and you can find them on Amazon

2. Wall Clocks

Wall clock
Wall clock

There are adorable wall clocks you can use as souvenirs. Have it personalized with you and your spouse’s name written in it and the day you both got married.

They even make up for great decorations in your guest’s home. Purchase on Amazon at $14.88

3. Jotters/Notepads

Notepad
Notepad

Your guests will find this useful as they have to write/jot a few things – it could be a to-do list, daily reminders, quotes of personal reflection and many more.

Be sure to make a beautiful cover of you and your spouse, write vows if you both choose to. Have stickers to secure the front and back pages of the notepad if you can. These wedding souvenir ideas are loved in Nigeria. View on Amazon at $9.99

4. Mini Laundry baskets

Laundry basket
Laundry basket

This is the most thoughtful, functional and memorable gift of all time. I remember attending a wedding with my Mom in Jos 2019 and this was handed out to us. Mom still has 2 of them and one is still serving both me and my sister.

This basket could be used for clothes or even underwear. Guests will appreciate this and you’ll be keeping your wedding memories fresh and alive in their homes. You can buy mini- laundry baskets on amazon at $19.99

5. Mini – Umbrellas

Umbrella
Umbrella

These are small and of course, they come in handy as they are carriable. These are gifts you want to give out as guests will appreciate and find this useful when nature pours or hits. You know, rainfall and the scorching sun. View on Amazon at $9.99

6. Towels

Towel
Towel

I remember seeing a white towel in my Mom’s wardrobe and I asked where it’s from. She went ahead to tell me about the wedding she attended and that was a souvenir she got from the couple. You see right there, these couples have made their wedding memorable just by that. If you’re wondering about the towel, she didn’t give it to me, she eventually used it herself.

Giving out towels as wedding souvenirs ideas in Nigeria is thoughtful and of course functional – an everyday use.

You can find affordable Towels on amazon at $19.99

7. Scented Candles

Scented Candles
Scented Candles

This is something new and trending. I saw this in an Arewa wedding post. You know how Arewa are when it comes to their scent, incense and how they love to smell nice and have their home smell nice, lovely and welcoming.

These wedding souvenirs ideas in Nigeria will have your guests feeling loved, appreciated and of course, they will have their home smelling just as great as yours.

Another thing is, your guests can also have or create romantic moments anytime, anywhere with these scented candles. And of course, guests will keep the container as a keepsake. View on amazon at $21.99

8. Mugs

Mugs
Mugs

This makes a statement in keeping your special day alive.

They are perfect for wedding souvenir ideas in Nigeria as they are readily available if you’re not customizing and are always useful.

They could be personalized with you and your spouse’s name and the date you got married. Customized mugs available on Amazon at $19.95

9. Hand Fans

Hand fan
Hand fan

This idea could be taken up a notch, instead of rubber hand fans, why not try those China fans? Cute hand fans are a thing now!

This adds an extra touch to weddings. Have you and your spouse’s name written on it, it keeps the memories alive and longer.

10. Keyholders

Keyholder
Keyholder

This is simple and yet thoughtful. Remember, little things count, they really do.

Engrave you and your spouse’s name on it, the date of the wedding and add pictures if you can, a lovely one. Guests will love this and it will indeed stay with them for a long time. view on Amazon for

11. Mason Jar Treats

Mason Jars
Mason Jars

Focus on extra-sweetness souvenir ideas. This is something new and indeed thoughtful as guests could give this to their kids or indulge themselves in something sweet and savoury.

You can have mini-cookies, fruit jam, chocolates, anything in particular in the mason jar and give them out as souvenirs. Make sure to have a cute package by tying a bow using yarn or jute rope and have a label with you and your spouse’s name.

Guests can reuse these jars to store spices. With $24 You can purchase it on Amazon

12. Bottle Opener/Magnetic Bottle Opener

wine opener
wine opener

This will be useful in any home. Engrave your and your spouse’s name, the date of the wedding and choose colours you both will like.

With a high budget, hit a combo by handing out a magnetic bottle opener. This way, your guests will have decorations on their fridges. Extra thoughtful I tell you!

Buy on Amazon for only $39

13. Carrier Bags

Carrier bag
Carrier bag

Creativity should speak here! Pick colours that match the event, personalize a durable, crafty one and don’t forget to write your and your spouse’s name and of course, the date of the memorable event. You can find affordable carrier bags at Amazon for only

14. Toaster

Toaster
Toaster

Where are the bread lovers at? This is a wedding souvenir that will have your guests surprised, loved and appreciated. A toaster makes bread taste way better and there are lots of things your guests could do with a toaster, bread sandwich for an instant.

Have your guests feeling happy and loved as you hand out these to them in a carrier bag. View on Amazon at $29.99

15. Blender

Blender
Blender

This is another wedding souvenir idea in Nigeria that will leave your guests both shocked and excited. This serves as a dual purpose in the kitchen either in blending tomatoes or blending soup seeds like Egusi, Ogbono etc.

People also use this to blend medicinal herbs for health issues. So, what are you waiting for? Hand these nice and warm gestures to your guests, be sure to personalize them with the date of your special day. view on amazon at $52

16. Fragrance

Fragrance
Fragrance

Be it perfume or an air freshener, hand them out to guests as they will love and appreciate this wedding souvenir idea in Nigeria. They can use it at home, in their cars, toilets and closets, even on the body depends on which you’re handing out. View on Amazon at $11.99

17. Herbal Tea Bags

Herbal Tea bags
Tea Bags

Teabags are believed to help with soothing and give relief. Handing out these to guests is thoughtful. You could try chai tea, chamomile tea, and what you desire is fine as long as it gives relief and calmness to your guests. Buy on Amazon

18. Local Handmade Soap

Handmade Soap
Handmade Soap

Hand these out to guests to show appreciation towards them for honouring your special day. They can use it to simply wash dishes at home and be reminded of you. Keep your day alive and fresh in their hearts and home. View on Amazon

19. Handkerchiefs

Handkerchief
Handkerchief

These are sentimental keepsakes that guests will appreciate these wedding souvenir ideas in Nigeria. Customize it with the date of the wedding and your spouse’s name. View on Amazon at $8-$11

20. Trays

Tray
Tray

These are sometimes paired with cups, plates, spoons or sometimes on their own. Guest will love and find this very useful in the kitchen and for serving visitors at home.

Personalize this with labels and designs with your spouse’s name and of course the date of the special day. View on Amazon at $24.99

21. Chopping Boards

Chopping board
Chopping board

Another kitchen tool you can never go wrong when it comes to wedding souvenir ideas in Nigeria.

This will be mostly used in the home of your guests and you keep your special day alive with them. You can purchase it on Amazon at $16.99

22. Electric Hand Fan

Electric Hand fan
Electric Hand fan

Remember the China hand fan, well this is more advanced, thanks to technology. Your guests can even use this at the wedding cause of how cute and useful they really are.

Give your guests this and have them leaving with smiling faces, don’t forget item 7 too. View on Amazon at $11.98

23. Torch/Flashlight

Torchlight
Torchlight

This is another helpful gadget you can easily handle out to guests as a wedding souvenir idea in Nigeria. This will be helpful to them at home or even used by their kids at home. Purchase on Amazon at $9.99

24. Personalized Wine Bottle/Cups

Wine cups
Wine cups

Cheers to a fun and memorable celebration! There are dinner nights in weddings now and sometimes, couples throw a party. This is where you come in by having personalized cups with you and your spouse’s name on them, of course, remember the date of the wedding. Always!

Enjoy the party as guests will love the gesture. You could give out the cups in a carrier bag to your guests as a keepsake.

To purchase set of wine cups at $28, check here

25. Ankara

Ankara
Ankara

Wedding souvenirs ideas in Nigeria should include Ankara if you’re able to. Guests will love and appreciate this as you’re being thoughtful towards their wardrobe. It is a great idea to show them you appreciate the time they took to come through for you. You can buy it on amazon at $15

Giving out unique souvenirs as I’ve listed will show appreciation towards them and remind them of your special day – keep it alive and fresh in the little way you can.

Conclusion

Remember, when you give out souvenirs, you’re saying “Thank you” to your guests in your own unique way and wedding souvenirs all depends on the couple’s taste, preferences and budgets.

My most preferred wedding souvenir ideas in Nigeria will be the laundry basket, towel, fragrance (I mean, we all have to smile, don’t cha?), mugs, blender and jar treats. I mean those are treats, I love anything sweet. The reason why I chose these out of the 25 weddings souvenir ideas is that they are versatile, durable and above all, it serves purposes at home and that’s what all guest look forward to – gifts that will be used and not tossed in the store or even thrown away.

Now, see from list items 1 and 25, they are different. Lemme explain list item 25 are for couples with financial capacity while list item 1 is for couples with financial strength. See the difference? Take, for instance, the wedding of Yusuf Buhari where the souvenirs handed out to guests comprised of iphone12 and iPads

Now that’s what we call “financial capacity” while giving out other items that are affordable and not extremely extravagant and freaking expensive to your guests tells you to have the strength to appreciate them but not the capacity.

Both gifts are thoughtful and guests will be gratified but go out gifts you can afford and stay out of debt. There are a lot of wedding souvenir ideas in Nigeria, comment below if you think I missed any. Thank you!

These 30 Quotes Will Convince You Being Single Is Not That Bad

These 30 Quotes Will Convince You Being Single Is Not That Bad

There’s nothing terrible about being single. It’s an awesome time that allows you to concentrate more on yourself, love yourself more, know yourself and also help you figure out hidden talents and abilities you have. Being single allows you to do whatever pleases you, go wherever pleases you. While being single is fun with so many pros attached to it, there are some cons too, which are questions that get thrown at us once in a while, questions like “why are you single? When are you getting married? Are you gay?”, but not to worry because I have put together 30 quotes about how to enjoy being single, more like comeback quotes to the questions.

It also helps you decide how to live your life and how much fun you want to have while living your life to the fullest. When you are single you feel like you are the richest person on earth, because you have a lot of time, energy, money, freedom, peace and many other things to make life interesting, and you wouldn’t have to worry about someone else or have to wait for someone else’s opinions or decision.

These quotes about how to enjoy being single should be your daily guide during your singlehood.

Quotes That Will Help You Enjoy Being Single

1. Single is no longer a lack of options-but a choice. A choice to refuse to let your life be defined by your relationship status but to live everyday happily and let your ever after work itself out. 

Mandy Hale

2. To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.

 Oscar Wilde

3. Being single used to mean that nobody wanted you. Now it means you’re pretty, sexy and you’re taking your time deciding how you want your life to be and who you want to spend it with. 

Carrie Bradshaw

4. Being single is about celebrating and appreciating your own space that you’re in. 

Kelly Rowland

5. Single is not a status. It is a word that describes a person who is strong enough to live and enjoy life without depending on others. 

Prixie

6. If you really are going to be happy single, you have to stop treating being single as the annoying time that you pass between relationships and embrace it. Rather than focusing on what you lack, focus on what you have; You. 

Natalie Lue

7. I like being single. I’m always there when I need me. 

Art Leo

8. I love being single. I can come and go as I please and stay out as late as I want to. 

Eric Dickerson

“9. single” is an opportunity to live life on your own terms and not apologize. 

Mandy Hale

10. The most profound relationship we will ever have is the one with ourselves. 

Shirley MacLaine

11. When you’re single and in your 20s. You throw on a pair of jeans and look fabulous. 

Sheena Easton

12. Love yourself first, because that’s who you’ll spend the rest of your life with. 

Luigina Sgarro

13. Being single entitles you to not ask someone’s opinion before you do something to mess up your own room, your credit report, or even your life. 

Sayali Patil

14. I don’t need prince charming to have my own happy ending. 

Katy Perry

15. Hope for love, pray for love, wish for love, dream for love…but don’t put your life on hold waiting for love. 

Mandy Hale

16. You alone are enough. You have nothing to prove to anybody. 

Maya Angelou

17. People would be a lot better off if they’d enjoy being single. 

Lewis Black

18. Being single is definitely better than being with the wrong person.

 Hassan Choughari

19. I think it’s very healthy to spend time alone. You need to know how to be alone and not defined by another person. 

Oscar Wilde

20. Now I’m feeling how I should. Never knew single could feel this good.

 Jason Derulo

21. Single? No, I’m just in a relationship with freedom. 

Anonymous

22. There are some places in life where you can only go alone. Embrace the beauty of your solo journey.

Mandy Hale

23. I love being single. It’s almost like being rich. 

Sue Grafton

24. Always remember that you were once alone, and the crowd you see in your life today are just as unnecessary as when you were alone. 

Michael Bassey Johnson

25. The longer you stay single, the more you become a threat to other relationships. 

Nitya Prakash

26. Singleness isn’t an excuse to take a back seat on life but an opportunity to wholeheartedly pursue your own purpose. 

Michael Todd

27. My alone feels so good. I’ll only have you if you’re sweeter than my solitude. 

Warsan Shire

28. Too many women throw themselves into romance because they’re afraid of being single, then start making compromises and losing their identity. I won’t do that. 

Greta Garbo

29. One of my favourite parts of being single is how I get to choose who I spend my time with, share my heart with, hang with, giggle with, call, dine across from. 

Tracee Ellis Ross

20. If you aren’t happy single, you won’t be happy taken. Happiness comes from within, not from men. 

Anonymous

Conclusion

The above quotes about how to enjoy being single will let you know that you don’t need the opposite sex to be happy, you can create your own happiness and still live life. You don’t have to rush into a relationship because the world keeps asking why you are single, you can as well embrace your singlehood, get to know yourself more, love yourself more and date yourself. These quotes about how to enjoy being single will also prepare you for when you decide to change your relationship status. 

15 Number of Ways You Can Tell They Like You

15 Number of Ways You Can Tell They Like You

There are different ways to tell if someone likes you or not, but you have to be very careful not to misinterpret peoples’ gestures. Any mistake could be very embarrassing and in some cases, disastrous.

Knowing if someone likes you or not can be easy, difficult, or tricky depending on your intellect and observation skills. Nevertheless, if you want to know whether or not someone likes you, in general, here are some signs to look out for:

Ways You Can Tell They Like You

1. They like to Be Wherever You Are

It is normal for one to like to be close to their crush. There is this feeling of satisfaction they get when they are close to you. They mustn’t necessarily be beside you to feel that, but your presence in the environment they are in suffices.

2. They Make Eye Contact

One of the ways to tell if someone likes you is by making eye contact with you frequently. Making eye contact with someone could either be mistakenly or intentionally. In this case, it’s intentional; you know it is when your eyes meet and they tend to take it off you immediately and put them back on when you look away.

3. They Feel Secure

This is only applicable to ladies. There is this sense of security a lady feels when she is with the man she loves. She can go as far as been disrespectful to someone in your presence knowing that you will be there to defend her.

4. They Always Want to Hear from You

You can tell they like you when they talk to you too often physically, or send you messages or call you on your cellphone regularly. When you meet, they tell you how happy they are when they communicate with you, or you get to hear that from their close friends or family.

5. They Like Whatever You Like

If he/she is an acquaintance, they tend to like whatever you show interest in and dislike whatever you dislike that they initially do not care about. And if he/she isn’t an acquaintance, they like or dislike what you are interested in, naturally.

6. They Always Start a Conversation

Since they want to spend more time with you, they will want to converse with you more often, thus, initiating a conversation almost always at the slightest opportunity they get. They can start with any question that pops up in their head even if the aura isn’t right.

It happened to me when I was chatting with a lady some time ago, she said “Hi” and I responded, then we started conversing and there was a pause because we ended the conversation we were having. We were both online and the next thing, she sent another “Hi”. It’s obvious she wanted a piece of my time but didn’t even know how to initiate a new conversation.

It might interest you to read on 16 Tips on How to Keep a Conversation Going With Someone You Like

7. Wanting to Know More about You

Your crush will always want to gather sufficient information about you (for those who are interested in a committed relationship) to know if you two are compatible or not.

They tend to ask questions like “Do you have any brothers or sisters?”, “What are your likes and dislikes?”, “What is your ideal kind of wife?” etc. The questions may be even personal as they get to know you more.

8. Not Acting Normal

One of the ways to tell if someone likes you is when they start acting weird around you. In the case of ladies, they begin to play with their hair and/or smile and laugh at anything you say or do, and for guys, they begin to overdo things around you – things to impress you like trying so hard to be funny. 

9. They Find Everything You Say Hilarious

This is most common among ladies. Whatever you say is funny even if it is not. You know, there is the weird sound a fake laughter sounds. You can easily detect it without even trying.

10. They Keep Track of Everything You Do

You can tell they like you when they can remember every little detail about you – things that you may have forgotten you told them. Sometimes, they even remember

They remember the relationship between you and every friend of yours that you have introduced them to and/or told them about, so also, your close relatives and anyone around you. In addition, they can even remind you of your monthly cycle or your college lecture schedule!

They can do all of that and more without stress whatsoever.

11. If They Smile Unnecessarily

Furthermore, one of the ways you can tell if someone likes you is when they smile unnecessarily.

By just staring at you, you find them smiling, sometimes, uncontrollably. I believe you must have experienced that with someone you were or are into.

In a conversation, they smile not because what you are saying is interesting or you are that attractive or funny, but they just find themselves doing so subconsciously – you can tell by obvious signs of them not paying attention to you.

12. They Have Told Their Friend(s) about You

When a guy or girl likes you, they wouldn’t mind telling the world about you, most especially their friends and family. When that gets to your hearing, know that they are into you. This is one of the ways to tell if someone likes you.

13. They Tell You Personal Details about Themselves

Personal details about one are shared with someone you are very close to like a trusted friend or family relation, usually. Because they are into you and want you to be a part of their world, they share with you. Personal details like their family problems or their sexuality are very personal stuff in the Northern part of Nigeria, notwithstanding, they tell you.

14. They Find Excuses to Touch You

You can tell they like you when they try to touch you at every slightest opportunity they have got, though not common in the North compared to other regions in the country, some people do that. They always try to sit close to you or ask you to play a game that requires you to be close to them like Ludo or Whot. Your company is what they never stop craving for.

15. They Communicate Freely

Normally, you find yourself communicating freely without someone you ordinarily like not to talk of someone you are crushing on. They are not too mindful or choosy of what they say or discuss with you.

Conclusion

Personally, I tend to find women easier to read than men. Both sexes are driven by different things. Ladies are mostly emotionally unstable compared to men, thus, leaving them more vulnerable to be noticed by men. Regardless, just know that you have to be very careful in your judgement.

If you find this article interesting, kindly leave a comment below, and also share with us if you think there is/are point(s) I omitted. Thank you.

Related: This is How You Make Your Crush Like You and 10 Signs that Show You Are in a One-Sided Relationship

45 Quotes That Will Motivate Your Relationships

45 Quotes That Will Motivate Your Relationships

What makes life complete is the relationships we make and keep, we tend to learn, make mistakes and grow through them. But truth be told, relationships are not easy, they require a lot of hard work. Be it a relationship with friends, a loved one, a family, you have to put in so much work to make it work and last. Relationships are also not smooth, it gets bumpy with time, but your ability to remind yourselves why you are together will keep you back on track. Due to the fact that constant motivation is needed in any relationship, I have put together relationship quotes to motivate your relationships, by individuals who are vaster in this area and who have walked the face of the earth more than I have.

1. Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not burn until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.

Anais Nur

2. A loving relationship is one in which the loved one is free to be himself to laugh with me, but never at me; to cry with me, but never because of me; to love life, to love himself, to love being loved. Such a relationship is based upon freedom and can never grow in a jealous heart. 

Leo F. Buscaglia

3. A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out. 

Walter Winchell

4. The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed.

Carl Jung

5. When you stop expecting people to be perfect, you can like them for who they are. 

Donald Miller

6. Assumptions are the termites of relationships. 

Henry Winkler

7. Relationships-of all kinds-are like sand held in your hand. Held loosely, with an open hand, the sand remains where it is. The minute you close your hand and squeeze tightly to hold on, the sand trickles through your fingers. You may hold unto some of it, but most will be spilled. A relationship is like that. Held loosely, with respect and freedom for the other person, it is likely to remain intact. But hold too tightly, too possessively and the relationship slips away and is lost.

Kaleel Jamison

8. Someone to tell it to is one of the fundamental needs of human beings. 

Miles Franklin

9. When a woman is talking to you, listen to what she says with her eyes. 

Victor Hugo

10. Some think love can be measured by the number of butterflies in their tummy, others think love can be measured in bunches of flower, or by using the word ‘forever. But love can only be truly be measured by actions. It can be a small thing, such as peeling an orange for a person you love because you know they don’t like doing it. 

Marian Keyes

11. When you are truly in love, you will never have anything to hide.

 Jay-Z

12. Some of the biggest challenges in relationships come from the fact that most people enter a relationship to get something; they are trying to find someone who’s going to make them feel good. In reality, the only way a relationship will last is if you see your relationship as a place where you go to give, and not a place that you got o take.

Anthony Robbins

13. The beginning of love is the will to let those we love to be perfectly themselves, the resolution not to twist them to fit our own image. If in loving them we do not love what they are, but only their potential likeness to ourselves, then we do not love them: we only love the reflection of ourselves we find in them.

Thomas Merton

14. We can improve our relationships with others by leaps and bounds if we become encouragers instead of critics. 

Joyce Meyer

15. The royal road to a man’s heart is to talk to him about the things he treasures most. 

Dale Carnegie

16. Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down. 

Oprah Winfrey

17. You can kiss your family and friends goodbye and put miles between you, but at the same time you carry them with you in your heart, your mind, your stomach, because you do not just live in a world but a world that lives in you.

 Frederick Buechner

18. Life is partly what we make it, and partly what it is made by friends we choose.

 Tennessee Williams

19. When dealing with people, remember you are not dealing with creatures of logic, but creatures of emotion. 

Dale Carnegie

20. A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words. 

Donna Roberts

21. Loving people live in a loving world. Hostile people live in a hostile world. Same world. 

Wayne Dyer

22. Patience is the mark of true love. If you truly love someone, you will be more patient with that person. 

Thich Nhat Hanh

23. Communication is key in any relationship but understanding is the whole door. You wouldn’t need the key if the door is not there. 

Timi Dakolo

24. A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person. 

Mignon McLaughlin

25. To say that one waits a lifetime for his soulmate to come around is a paradox. People eventually get sick of waiting, take a chance on someone, and by the art of commitment become soulmates, which takes a lifetime to perfect. 

Criss Jami

26. Nothing is perfect. Life is messy. Relationships are complex. Outcomes are uncertain. People are irrational. 

Hugh Mackay

27. Love is a two-way street constantly under construction. 

Carroll Bryant

28. Spend a few minutes a day really listening to your spouse. No matter how stupid his problems sound to you.

Megan Mullaly

29. We’re all a little weird. And life is a little weird. And when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall into the mutually satisfying weirdness and call it love-true love. 

Robert Fulghum

30 Communication is the proof of life in any relationship. In spicing up your relationship, you need to prioritize communication and giving attention. 

Godman Akinlabi

31. The biggest difference trust makes in any relationship and not just an intimate one is that you can relax, be open, be yourself.

Mira Kirshenbaum

32. Forgiveness is essential for every kind of relationship. 

Barbara J. Hunt

33. When you are focused on your partner’s good qualities and show them the same kindness, warmth, respect and generosity of spirit that you would your best friend, your relationship has the greatest chance of not just surviving but thriving into its later years.

Sophie Winters

34. Working through conflict, we maintain and build a strong but flexible, honest but loving connection in our relationship.

Aaron F. Steinberg 

35. You come to love not by finding the perfect person, but by seeing an imperfect person perfectly. 

Sam Keen

36. Love does not begin and end the way we seem to think it does. Love is a battle; love is a war; love is a growing up. 

James Baldwin

37. I believe that two people are connected at the heart, and it doesn’t matter what you do, or who you are or where you live; there are no boundaries or barriers if two people are destined to be together. 

Julia Roberts

38. Never above you. Never below you. Always beside you. 

Walter Winchell

39. In a relationship, each person should support the other; they should lift each other up.

 Taylor Swift

40. Learn to be quiet, enough to hear the genuine in yourself. So that you can hear it in others. 

Marian Wright Edelman

41. Love is an endless act of forgiveness. Forgiveness is me giving up the right to hurt you for hurting me. 

Beyonce

42. Well, it seems to me that the best relationships-the ones that last are frequently the ones that are rooted in friendship. You know, one day you look at the person and you see something more than you did the night before. Like a switch has been flicked somewhere. And the person who was just a friend is suddenly the only person you can ever imagine yourself with. 

Gillian Anderson

43. The ultimate test of a relationship is to disagree but to hold hands. 

Alexander Penny

44. Whenever you’re in conflict with someone, there is one factor that can make the difference between damaging your relationship and deepening it. That factor is attitude. 

William James

45. He’s not perfect. You aren’t either and the two of you will never be perfect. But if he can make you laugh at least once, causes you to think twice, and if he admits to being human and making mistakes, hold unto him and give him the most you can. He isn’t going to quote poetry, he’s not thinking about you every moment, but he will give you a part of him that he knows you could break. Don’t hurt him, don’t change him, and don’t expect for more than he can give. Don’t analyze. Smile when he makes you happy, yell when he makes you mad and miss him when he’s not there. Love hard when there is love to be had, because perfect guys don’t exist, but there’s always one guy that is perfect for you. 

Bob Marley

Conclusion

This last quote is by far my favourite quote and I made it come last on the list because you might scroll to the end and I want you to get a quote that says it all. A relationship quotes to motivate your relationship, by helping you find perfect in imperfect. 

There are a lot of relationship quotes to motivate your relationships, quotes to help you stay strong when it all seems like it will crumble. In fact, that tete-a-tete you just had with your little sister or brother surprisingly can serve as a relationship quotes to motivate you.

Raising a Kid as a Single Parent in Northern Nigeria

Raising a Kid as a Single Parent in Northern Nigeria

Raising a child as a single parent is stressful. This stage comes with several unpredictable changes and takes your life off balance. You will have to make crucial decisions. Oftentimes, choosing the happiness of your child over yours. Recently, the percentage of single parents is rampant. This is as a result of a separation or divorce. Which leaves hurting scars on the child involved.

Therefore, as a single parent, you need to equip yourself with the right knowledge and skills to raise a decent child without burning out. Irrespective of your partner’s absence—although it hurts. 

How to Raise a Child as a Single Parent

1. Eliminate perfection

Expecting to be perfect at raising a child even as a single parent is the fastest route to stress. This mindset builds pressure on you and makes you liable to other forms of health challenges such as depression and high blood pressure (hypertension).

Therefore, give yourself some credit and take parenting one step at a time. In addition, don’t give in to self-guilt when you get into mistakes. Such as using violent methods to discipline your child, nagging, abandoning them to the care of someone else, or pampering them. Accept your mistakes and learn from them. 

2. As a Single Develop an Optimistic Attitude

As a parent, you are the first role model of your child. In other words, they are watching every step you take, this includes your attitude. Despite the awful situation surroundings you at the moment, you need to maintain an optimistic attitude. Your attitude influences that of your child.

Therefore, being negative when things go wrong will discourage your child from trusting you. Instead, cheer them up with positive words and an outlook.

3. Tell Your Child About the Separation or Divorce

Be open to tell your child about the absence of your partner. Keeping it a secret will tarnish the blossoming relationship with your child when they find out by themselves. Telling your child about the separation enables them to understand and cooperate with you better. However, don’t create a wrong impression about your partner before your kid, despite what they may have done.

This wrong impression may later result in resentment towards those of the same sex as your departed partners either male or female. 

4. Create a Light Schedule For Yourself

The day you become a single parent marks the dawn of an entirely new life for you. Therefore, things are not going to be the same. And you would need to adapt to the new change. Hence, you need to lighten up your schedule by erasing unnecessary activities. Any activities that add little or no value to your life are best avoided.

Whereas, there are other activities you need to engage in once a month or suspend until your kids are much older. 

5. Financial Stability is Needed 

A stable financial life will be required to keep the family together. This will require effective planning on how to utilize your monthly earnings towards the needful. The needful includes providing the necessities of life and health care facilities for yourself and your child. In addition, affording a standard school for your child and other miscellaneous.

Raising a child as a single parent requires discipline in terms of money management. This will enable you to meet up financial goals and invest your money wisely. Always have a plan B for the unexpected event and the future. Subsequently, as a single parent, don’t rely on one source of earning. Engage in various legit businesses and learn to cut your coat according to your size.

6. Spend Quality Time With Your Kids

Oftentimes, your child may begin to feel the absence of your departed partner and results in emotional disorder. However, to fill in that gap, you need to spend quality time with your child. And engage in the activities that make them happy. Although there may be times you need to stay out late to make extra money.

However, don’t make that your routine which can detach you from your kids. A close, healthy relationship with your kids helps you discover your child’s passion. Likewise, their weaknesses, to help them improve. Spending quality time is one of the activities that can increase the love bond with your kids. 

7. Create a Routine and Stick With it

A balanced routine helps create an order for your day-to-day activities and that of your child. This reduces stress and encourages independence in the life of your child. So, even while you’re away for some time, your child can coordinate him/her self.

There should be a set time to perform the important activities such as a set time for shopping, cooking, doing the home chores, and exercise.

8. Set Limit to Your Action

To control the urge of giving your child whatever they ask for, you will need to set limits and stick to them. Setting boundaries is one of the proper methods of disciplining your child. This helps instruct and guide them on the right code of conduct to put on. Set a limit to what they eat, how they associate with their peer’s and the time spent on the screen.

Instead, occupy them with activities that improve their emotional intelligence and academic performance. 

9. Create a Personal Time

Your health as a single parent influences the wellbeing of your child because if you get sick, there’s no other person to look after your child to your satisfaction. Therefore, don’t become a workaholic, which causes the body system to break down. Create time; a time for yourself away from distractions. A time to relax and meditate. Also, a time to engage in the activities you love and spend time with your friends.

These sets of activities boost your immune system, enabling you to think through your problems from an advantageous perspective. Furthermore, it enhances your mental, physical, social, and emotional health. 

10.  As a Single Parent Take Decision Making Serious 

A large percentage of single parents struggle to make crucial decisions about the well-being of their families. This is because they have become accustomed to sharing ideas with their partner before concluding what to do. Therefore, the departure of their partner leaves them confused. They begin to doubt if the choices they make are right.

On the contrary, as a single parent, you need firm courage in decision-making. Believe that your decision is for the betterment of everyone. Perhaps, you’re unsure about certain decisions, consult a family counsellor or a trusted friend or family member.

11. Share With Other Parents How You Feel

When it comes to healthy parenting, no one is a superhero at training kids. Similarly, every parent needs the advice of other parents to forge ahead when raising a child as a single parent. There will come a time in your life as a single parent where you’re overburdened and feel like giving in to your challenges. During this period, staying alone often leads to depression. Instead, learn to share your feelings with others who are willing to listen to you.  

Seeking the help of others doesn’t mean you’re weak or makes you an irresponsible parent, rather, it helps you ease the burden you feel. However, you should join a single parents club or group. This helps you get advice from other parents who can relate to what you are experiencing in raising a child as a single parent. 

12. Create a Relationship Between Your Child and the Opposite Sex

This kind of relationship depends on the gender of the partner that has departed, either male or female. There is always a need for a child to feel the love of both a mother and a father while growing up. Therefore, create a connection between your child and a trusted person. A person who truly shows and represents the love that your child needs to receive from a mother or a father. This could be a family friend or relatives or counsellor.

Conclusion

Raising a child as a single parent can be made much easier if you take parenting one step at a time. It isn’t compulsory to get it right at first. Gradually, with time, you will succeed at raising a child without the help of a partner.

Perhaps, you have a tight working schedule to meet up with the growing family needs, endeavour to get a babysitter to look after your kids while you’re away. Meanwhile, this practise shouldn’t be a routine. This often distances you from your child, which is one of the parenting mistakes you should avoid.

Finally, share your thoughts in the comment section below.