Mum 1: I don’t want you visiting your friends because they make you do drugs.

Child 1: Mum, you have no right to tell me who to visit. Where were you when I was homeless? My mates were the ones who housed me.

Me: *speechless*

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Child 2: My dad is useless, he’s never around. My mum doesn’t know how to be a mum, she’s always on her phone.

Me: I’m really sorry to hear.

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Child 3: My parents are always fighting and yelling at each other, I don’t want to go back home. Can I go and live with my aunt instead?

Me: Sounds like being home with your parents is stressful for you.

Big sigh!

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These are some of the things I hear which break my heart as a doctor working with children with mental illness.

As parents, we have a huge responsibility in providing love, security, stability and a peaceful home for our kids.

Please be present, be available for them. Avoid fighting in their presence, it traumatizes them beyond your imagination. Be a good role model. It helps.

Praying for strength for all parents struggling. It’s never too late to be there for your kids .

© Dr Blessing Ekundayo

Relationship Educator and Mental Health Practitioner