ESJ Creatives

Yesterday, I stopped by a small neighborhood shop to grab a few things. The kind of place where everyone knows everyone. No barcode scanners. No long aisles. Just a counter, wooden shelves, and a shopkeeper who has probably watched half the street grow up.

A woman and her little boy were ahead of me.

She bought bread, sugar, and a few sachets of milk. The shopkeeper calculated everything quickly and handed her the change.

She stepped aside.

The boy looked down at the money in her hand.

Then he frowned.

“Mummy… that’s too much.”

She brushed it off. “It’s fine.”

But he didn’t move.

“You said if someone makes a mistake, we tell them. Even if it favors us.”

The shop was quiet. The ceiling fan hummed above us. Nobody else would have noticed. It was a small amount. Easy to ignore.

But the boy stood there, serious and unmoving.

His mother looked at him , really looked at him and I could see it hit her.

He wasn’t just repeating words.

He believed them.

Slowly, she turned back and returned the extra change. The shopkeeper smiled and thanked her.

As they walked out, the boy held her hand like nothing extraordinary had happened.

But something had.

A child reminded his parent of the standard she had set.

That moment stayed with me.

We think children forget the lectures.
We assume they don’t listen.
We believe they’re too young to understand.

But they are always listening.

And one day, when it’s inconvenient… when it’s uncomfortable… when it would be easier to look away…

They might just remind us of who we said we are.

Sometimes, the greatest proof that you’re raising your child well…
Is when they hold you accountable to your own lessons.

What if your child could speak without fear…
What would they say?

Episode 1 is live.

Josh said:
“My turn didn’t matter.”

Ella said:
“I just wanted to know I’d get a turn.”

This conversation was inspired by my book Josh and Ella Learn to Share — available on Amazon.
Watch the full episode and join the conversation here 👇

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18Kb9VVfRT/

Sometimes sharing doesn’t feel kind.
Sometimes it feels unfair.
Episode 1 of the ESJ Creatives podcast is now live.
We heard from two fictional children, Josh and Ella, as they explained what they really felt when they were told to “just share.”
It wasn’t about the toy.
It was about being seen.
Inspired by my book Josh and Ella Learn to Share, now available on Amazon.
Watch now and tell me —
Should sharing always be immediate?

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18Kb9VVfRT/

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18Kb9VVfRT/

Listen as they speak is out. Let's hear your thoughts on this.

In this Josh and Ella Learn to Share.
They share what they felt in a simple moment many families experience — being told to “just share.”

What if sharing isn’t only about behavior…
but about feeling seen?

📚 The story that inspired this episode, Josh and Ella Learn to Share, is available on Amazon.
Link in the comments.
Watch. Reflect. Share with a parent.

💬 Question:
Should children always be told to “just share”?

Full interview dropping by 7: 30pm Nigerian time. Bring your chair and learn one or two,see you then

Live from ESJ Studio
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EPISODE 1 coming. Soon.... Do not Miss out