Can I be a child again?

This might seem like a letter to you, and as much as you could consider it one, it is one to me too. To remind ourselves of the things We used to love, the peace We used to feel, and the beauty in them.

My childhood was one hell of an eventful ride. After watching Jemima make babies with her cardigan in primary two, I learnt to do it too, and it became one of my favorite things to do.

Did you play mummy and daddy in primary school? Well, I did. I played it a lot. In fact, “mummy” was all I wanted to play, especially after learning how to make cardigan babies from Jemima. If I pursued an acting career with the zeal I invested in mummy and daddy, I’d be a nollywood star by now.

Hey you! Yes, you. Can you remember when you finally switched from pencils to pens? and it felt like it was the greatest feat you had, and will ever achieve? (Screams in sheer embarrassment)

Did you also feel Like a big girl? Or a big boy? not knowing life still had many “shege” in store for you.

Speaking of generational books - Who even told Nigerian primary schools that Ugo.C.Ugo was the sure guide to passing common entrance? To think I used to look forward to using that book, thinking it certified my ’big girl’ status in preparation of my first external exams.

I really did think primary six was the peak of adulthood.

If anybody asks for my junior waec result now, they’ll get the ‘bombastic side eye’ because, where am I supposed to find it? I mean, I never even checked it.

All the days and night I spent studying to prove myself worthy of being promoted to senior secondary school in the mud.(carrying that heavy neco book and feeling myself.) It would have been a lot better if I had used that time to rest, or learn a skill. At least, I’d have gotten a certificate from it, and probably use it to earn money now that the economy is not smiling.

In primary four, I wrote my name on a paper and wrapped it around the ink of my pen. You know, the excitement that came with switching to pens.

Two hours later, Tamilore had suddenly acquired a new pen that was exactly like mine, with his name wrapped around the ink, and my pen was nowhere to be found. I’ll never forgive Tamilore for making me feel foolish after all my hard work. Wrapping papers around inks wasn’t such a good idea anyway, I just didn’t know it. Those naughty boys knew, and they used it against me.

Growing up as a child in Nigeria, you definitely have a truckload of tales to narrate. And maybe - just maybe Nigerian mothers aren’t the only one with the motherhood manual. Maybe there’s one for the children too, seeing how we probably had the same experiences, and committed the same offenses. Who knows?

Happy children’s day!!!!, you might be all grown up now but you’re still your mother and father’s child, so it’s okay to feel like a child today. Share your favorite childhood memory in the comment section so we can all laugh about it.