When Dahlia asked me to provide a foreword to this book, it came as a pleasant surprise. Nonetheless, I was deeply honored and was more than happy to do so. You are about to embark on an experience that, as the title of this book suggests, highlights the subtle and not so subtle nuances of child rearing Jamaican style. As I read through the pages, I was transported back to many aspects of my own childhood, and I smiled many times at the similarities in the upbringing of a child in Jamaica and a child being raised by Jamaican parents in the middle of Brooklyn, New York. As a parent, I was also struck by how those valuable lessons I learnt growing up have influenced my interactions with my own children.

All children come to us without instructions. That makes parenting and child rearing one of the most daunting, complicated undertakings of all. Given the complex demands of society, defining good parenting skills with hard and fast rules is, at best, difficult because there is often a wide disparity between cultures. Likewise, parenting skills differ from one person to the next, and dealing with each child presents its own unique set of challenges as well.

Love, self-discipline, nourishment, a secure home, a sense of community, and personal pride are only some of the things parents give to their children as they prepare the next generation to run the planet.

In this book, Dahlia provides some insight into how Jamaicans tackle the ominous duty of parenting. Her personal stories and anecdotes will not only amuse and entertain; they will also inform and educate.

Sit back, relax and enjoy!