Adedamoye Oshomoji is a woman who wears many hats: an educator, linguist, and dedicated mother. With over 15 years of experience across different continents, she has influenced countless young minds and remains a strong advocate for cultural identity in education. In this exclusive feature, she reflects on her journey, sharing the lessons she’s learned about parenting, professional growth, and the importance of embracing one’s roots.
Share one unexpected thing about you.
My name is Adedamoye Oshomoji. I hold a Master’s in Education from Teesside University in the United Kingdom, a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics, and have over 15 years of experience as a certified English language teacher. My career has taken me across the United Kingdom, France, and Africa, where I have had the privilege of teaching students from a variety of cultural backgrounds. This international experience has greatly enriched my teaching approach and equipped me with the ability to adapt my methods to meet the diverse needs of my students, creating an environment where language learning is both accessible and enjoyable.
Tell us about your beautiful family.
I am blessed with three wonderful children and a cute four-year-old Yorkshire terrier.
How did you meet your husband, and how long have you been married?
We met at university, where we were casual friends. However, a controversy brought us closer. He was the only one who understood what I was going through. From then on, we built a strong friendship, realized we wanted to spend forever together, and by God’s grace, we made it happen. We’ve now been married for 17 years and have been friends for 24 years.
Do you and your spouse have the same parenting style?
For the most part, yes. We have individual differences, and these sometimes show in our parenting approaches, but we generally agree on the key values and patterns we want to reinforce as a family.
Can you tell us one of the funniest things your children have done?
Mimicking how I behave when I’m displeased. It’s always hilarious to watch!
What has motherhood taught you about yourself?
To be as gracious with myself as I am with my children.
What have you learned about preparing children to thrive in the future?
Take every good opportunity to volunteer, serve, or invest. It always proves valuable sooner or later.
How is parenting different now compared to when you were growing up?
When I was growing up, parent-child relationships were more authority-based. Now, they are more conversational and practical, which I think is a positive shift.
How are you raising your children to be ready for an ever-changing world?
By giving them real-life experiences and exposing them to responsible, successful ideas and perspectives.
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What do you love most about your work and its many expressions?
My students. Each one is unique and brings an unprecedented opportunity to learn, grow, and develop. It’s surreal. I get to be a part of so many families’ lives through their children, and I’ve built amazing connections through my career.
Share with us what you love most about your work as an Academic Support Specialist.
As an instructor and tutor, my focus goes beyond learning; I prioritize building my students’ confidence and self-expression. I believe that education is more than just the transfer of knowledge—it’s about creating a space for growth and empowerment. Whether in the UK, France, or Africa, I strive to foster a relaxed, supportive atmosphere where students feel comfortable taking risks and learning from their mistakes. The light I see in my students when they receive the support they need to excel in their courses.
What inspired you to venture into academic support?
I’ve been an educator my entire life, so when the opportunity arose, it was a natural step for me to continue making an impact in this field. As an Academic Support Specialist at the Red River College Polytech, Canada, I run the Children’s Language School, an online school that teaches children local and foreign languages all over the world. My team and I have worked with over 250 families since inception in 2017.
How important is a support system for a mum? Who is in your tribe?
A support system is not just a cliché. It is the core of my being and my success as an individual. My support system includes my dad, my nuclear family, my friends-turned-siblings, and my actual siblings. They provide emotional, mental, and practical support, along with plenty of positive energy.
A support system is not just a cliché. It is the core of my being and my success as an individual. My support system includes my dad, my nuclear family, my friends-turned-siblings, and my actual siblings. Share on X
How do you balance work and parenting? Is it possible to achieve this?
I don’t aim for balance. My goal is efficiency in all that I do. Once I achieve efficiency, I am happy. Balance may be achievable for some, but I don’t set it as a goal for myself or my family.
What surprised you the most about starting as an Academic Support Specialist? What advice would you give to a new entrepreneur?
Not so much a surprise but an adjustment. The cultural differences that only hands-on experience can prepare you for.
My advice to new entrepreneurs: As much as possible, avoid starting your business in debt. I started my school by offering free classes to the children of friends, and word of mouth helped my business grow organically. Also, don’t be in a hurry to succeed. It’s always a ladder-style journey, growing one step at a time.
Use one word to describe one thing that should not be missing from every home.
Value. Time, memories, and people.
Share one self-care tip. How do you relax?
My self-care tip is simple. Sleep! If something starts affecting my ability to sleep, I know I need to let it go.
Burst one motherhood myth!
You have to have it all together on your own. False! You need to build a tribe that will be there for you in moments of weakness. And yes, there will be many of those moments. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Can you tell us how you stay stylish and your beauty routine?
I don’t have a strict beauty routine. I’m not into makeup because of my sensitive facial skin, but I use minimal makeup when necessary. Coconut and tea tree oils are my go-to moisturizers. I’m also looking forward to trying out the DANG brand!
What advice would you give to other mums?
Be kind to yourself and to others. Keep your circle small but make sure it’s filled with positive energy.
What do you love about LagosMums?
LagosMums believes in every woman. They highlight the efforts of women in different spheres, both at home and abroad.
TRIVIA FUN
N1 million or more sleep? More sleep! With more sleep, I’ll come up with ideas to make an extra N1 million.
Would you prefer a shopping spree or an all-expense-paid trip? An all-expense-paid trip! The memories are irreplaceable.
Homeschooling or traditional school? Homeschooling.
A spa day or eating out? A spa day. Anytime!
Inspired by Damoye’s journey? Dive into more Mum of the Month features on LagosMums and connect with a supportive community of parents. Find stories, insights, and resources to help you navigate motherhood with confidence!