Drama King Teejay's CORNER

Having a child grow up in love through the warm embrace and care from both parents can't be overemphasized. It's the best of things a child can ever get from home.

When I see an absentee father in a child's upbringing irrespective of what could have transpired, I somewhat have this emotional feelings of what that child goes through as he grows up without a father figure. No child deserves such emotional torture regardless of what happened. I have been an ardent advocate of a healthy co-parenting arrangement between two partners who were once lovers before they got separated.

No one is saying they should reconcile and get back together if they have made up their mind not to do so. But for the sake of that child, they can co-parent peacefully unless if there's a solid reason why such arrangement can't hold.

There's this single Mom of a two year old son living next to my apartment. She had been a tenant before I moved into the building. The child is a product from a relationship that crashed. 

The man left her all alone to cater for the baby and being a strong woman, she courageously took the responsibilities from the story I heard. As a teacher, she leaves every morning with the boy for school and returns in the evening. When I found out there was no husband or father contributing to the boy's welfare, I felt pity for them. As a teacher with a small salary with a two years old son, you can imagine how difficult life was to them.

Sometimes when coming back home, I'll get the little boy small thing to eat. I saw the excitement on his face and that of the Mom when I gave it to him. On other occasions, when he's asleep, I will leave it with the Mom to keep for him. With that gesture, the little boy on sighting me coming back, will smile and walk towards me. 

On getting to me, I'll lift him up. The Mom will just be smiling looking at us. If I didn't come back with small something to give him, I will take him along to a shop and get something for him.

As time went on, I felt I could do more for them. When buying bread, I will get two big slice and give them one. Occasionally, I gave her money to cook at the weekend and also got them provisions, noodles and some baby wears. 

I developed love towards them. I think that's one weak trait of mine - falling in love so easily. I learnt when I'm not around for days, the little boy usually comes to my door to look for me. When the Mom told me that, I felt so emotional and was touched. At a point I became like a father to him. When I'm around he comes to my room and sleeps off.

So many things happened but then I wouldn't wanna get you all bored by making this a lengthy piece. So I'm gonna stop here.

In all I will say, every child deserves every support, parental love and care from both parent/partner as they grow up. There shouldn't be a vacuum of any sort not when they're both alive unless when it's unhealthy to do so. I haven't seen a woman so strong like a single Mom. They deserved to be loved and not ridiculed, labelled or taken advantage of in trying to support them.

Show them genuine love, understanding, caring and above all, assistance if you are capable. Some of them are not just finding it easy navigating life hustles and challenges.