Join Leonie and Baba Tunde as they delve into the nostalgic and vibrant world of Christmas traditions in their latest podcast episode. The couple explores the contrasts between their childhood experiences and the joys of celebrating the holiday with their own children today. From grand meal preparations and festive family gatherings to the excitement of Christmas presents, they share heartfelt anecdotes that highlight the essence of family togetherness during the holiday season. Leonie reflects on the importance of food, not just as a meal but as a focal point that brings everyone together, while Baba Tunde humorously shares his thoughts on the chaos that often accompanies family gatherings. With a mix of humor and warmth, they invite listeners to connect with their own holiday memories and embrace the joy of the season.

CHRISTMAS

This episode of the Then and Now podcast dives into the evolution of seasonal celebrations, particularly focusing on Christmas and other holiday traditions. Hosts Leonie and Baba reflect on their childhood experiences and how they differ from the vibrant and interactive celebrations they create for their own children today. They discuss the importance of representation during the holiday season, sharing their excitement about attending events like the Black Santa Experience. The conversation also touches on the pressures of modern parenting, including the infamous Elf on the Shelf phenomenon, and the significance of finding a balance between tradition and personal preference. With humor and heartfelt anecdotes, they emphasize that creating memorable family experiences is what truly makes the holidays special.

Leonie and Babatunde explore the evolution of shopping experiences from their childhood to the present day, emphasizing the importance of in-person shopping for teaching children essential life skills. They reminisce about the vibrant market culture of their youth, where the sights, sounds, and smells created a rich shopping experience that fostered community connections. The couple discusses the challenges of modern online shopping, particularly how it impacts their children's understanding of money management and product selection. They advocate for more hands-on shopping trips with their kids to instill valuable lessons about quality, value, and personal interaction. Ultimately, the conversation highlights the nostalgia for the past while recognizing the need to adapt and teach the next generation amidst the conveniences of today’s digital age.

Being a parent in general is FAR from easy but then add having to source child care into the mix and it can be CRAZY!

Building your village is important so you have people you can rely on around you. Baba and Leonie each look back on how they were raised and how that's influenced how they bring up their children.

This week the Aleshes reminisce on their experiences starting new schools and what is was like coming back after the holidays: who got tall and the time Baba was bullied over his new haircut. Have school politics changed for their kids? And when was it better then or now?

This week the Aleshes talk about their childhood friends and reveal what they really think of their children’s current peers. Delving into the memories of impromptu sleepovers and calling everyone “cousin” they decide when friendships were better, then or now.

Baba has started a vinyl collection. There's nothing better than zoning out to music but when was music better? When they were children or the music their children listen to.

Have the kids got it right these day with their crazy stand, or was it way better when we were young?