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A child is God’s gift and also a source of joy to every parent. To many people, having a child means having a sense of joy, responsibility and fulfilment. In essence, parenthood is a pride. But at the same time, some parents see parenthood as a burden on their resources and time, and therefore resent being parents. The Home Front reports people’s views and opinions, excerpts:
Barrister Rabiu Ibn Mohammed is a legal practitioner and a father of two, he commented on the pride in parenthood. "There is joy in parenthood but for any parent to be proud of his child, the child must be well cultured and disciplined and for such to manifest, the parent must live up to their primary obligation of inculcating morality and discipline in the child and if reverse is the case, then, the parents are to blame". For Mohammed, each child should be brought up in line with the teachings of the parents’ religion as both religions (Islam and Christianity) preach morality. His words, "all religions preach morality therefore, if parents train their wards in that light, the child will end up not just a pride to the parents but a pride to the society at large". Another parent, Ahmed Awaisu also commented, "Honestly being a father is just wonderful, it means everything good to me. I have a three-year –old son, Isma’il, to me, he is the reason why I live, the reason why I do struggle to make a good life, the reason why I do anything good in this world. Being a parent gives me a sense of fulfilment and responsibility. In short, the feeling of parenthood is just difficult to express because it is just too wonderful especially having a lovely son like mine. My son is the best thing that ever happened to my life and I love being a father". The pride in parenthood is so overwhelming that some parent’s most cherished moments are moments they share with their kids. Amina Gamba is a mother of two boys, she expressed her feelings of motherhood thus, "I have two lovely boys from whom I derive the joy of my life. There is more than just pride in being a mother, apart from the God-created love between a mother and her child. Moments I share with my boys are my most cherished moments in life. Even when they are naughty, I find it hard to be angry with them for more than just seconds. One memorable moment of my life is the first time my boy called me, "mama". I also love when my boys tell me stories". She added that, part of her pride in parenthood was to see her sons grow up to be very healthy, lead a religious life and become beneficial to the society. Patricia Stephen is a 26-year old single parent of a two-year-old daughter, Stella. According to her, her girl means everything good life could offer even though she never liked the idea of becoming a single parent initially. "When I knew that I was pregnant, my life was tired apart, I was really disturbed knowing the shame and humiliation I caused my family especially my mother. "It happened when I was in Level 300 in the University, then, I was left in a serious dilemma of whether to go for an abortion or to have the baby but to be frank, I was scared of the consequences of abortion. I then decided to keep the pregnancy even though it caused me a lot, I had to differ a session and also faced with lots of troubles in my family coupled with the rigours of pregnancy. But I tell you, today my little angel is my only pride in life. I love and cherish her more than anything in this whole world,’’ she added. According to Patricia, life has been more meaningful with her little girl and will do all it takes to give her the best as a mother. "Stella is all I have to leave for, she deserves the best and I am obliged to give her just that. She is simply special and my only pride and happiness". Mr and Mrs Thompson Odeh are blessed with four children. To them, parenthood is the greatest of all things. "Our four children are our pride and the love that bound us as a family. I remember when we had our first child, our relationship became stronger and much that relationship became as we have more children. Life would have been incomplete without them. They are our main source of joy and pride. We give thanks to God for his blessings. Honestly, parenthood is our greatest pride" says Mrs Odeh. Ironically, while some parents describe parenthood as a pride and their main source of joy, for Abigail Andrew a 27-year-old mother, to her, parenthood is a burden, she derives neither joy nor pride in being a mother. Abigail told her story, "Last year, two lines appeared on my pregnancy test and 41 weeks later, the girl was born. I pleaded and begged my husband for throughout the pregnancy to allow me go for an abortion, but he refused". She added that, "We (Myself and the baby) now live hundreds of miles from my family and I am miserable, stuck with a colicky baby who still doesn’t sleep through the night. I found no joy, no pleasure and no love being a mother. I can’t sleep knowing I must wake up to a crying baby and the same routine of feeding, diapers, baths and bottles. I have become more and more detached from the girl and have nothing to enjoy. Showers are short, dinners are rushed and usually cold. I can’t even enjoy anything called leisure. I have vowed not to have any child again".
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