Moppets Founder Roberta Edu Advocates Teaching Life Skills to Children Early

Roberta Edu, founder of the baby formula brand Moppets and a career-driven mother, has shared her thoughts on the importance of teaching children life skills from a young age. Drawing from her personal experiences, Edu highlighted the challenges and rewards of instilling independence in children, especially in a bustling city like Lagos.

Speaking candidly, Edu recounted her initial approach to raising her niece, Joy, who joined her household at the age of 10. “When Joy started living with us, she didn’t do much. Her food was served, her clothes were washed, and she had no responsibilities. Years later, she couldn’t handle basic tasks. The wake-up call came when her siblings, who live with their parents, visited us and showcased impressive skills. It was embarrassing,” she said.

Motivated to make a change, Edu decided to stop hiring a cook and encouraged Joy to start learning how to cook. “It was a battle at first, but she eventually got used to it,” she said. Inspired by this progress, Edu extended the initiative to her own children, Sema and Tobi, introducing them to chores such as washing their clothes, cleaning their rooms, and helping with meal preparations.

“At the beginning, it felt like an uphill task,” Edu admitted. “But today, my kids wake up on Saturdays, grab their laundry baskets, tidy their rooms, and even join in picking leaves for soup. They now handle their tasks with ease and to their satisfaction.”

Edu emphasized that children are never too young to learn essential life skills. “If they can write ABC, they can also learn survival skills,” she said, urging parents to encourage their children to take on responsibilities that will prepare them for the future.

Through her experience, Edu hopes to inspire other parents to recognize the value of teaching independence and self-sufficiency to children, ensuring they grow into capable and confident adults.

Anthony Emeka Nwosu