Deadbeats 🤡

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I've always strived to be a devoted daughter to my father, despite the challenges we've faced. As a child, I wrote to him while he was in prison, eager to maintain a connection. Though our conversations were often difficult, I persisted, hoping to bridge the gap between us. My mother had warned me about his inconsistencies, but I yearned to know him. When I was 12, the man who signed my birth certificate abandoned his responsibilities, citing that I resembled my father's family too closely. His rejection was painful, but my mother had tried to shield me from the disappointment. Nevertheless, I've come to realize that every child deserves the chance to know their roots, no matter how complex the relationships may be.

At 16, I became a mother with my first boyfriend, despite his clear reluctance to become a father. Our relationship was marked by abuse, fear, and manipulation. Though I left him, he continued to harass and stalk me, making it challenging to move on. I tried to keep the door open for him to be a father to our children, but he consistently failed to show up, ignored his responsibilities, and even involved his mother in his neglect. My children have witnessed their inconsistency over the years and have chosen to distance themselves from both of them. Recently, with everything surrounding Jay, people have been asking numerous questions about their father's absence and whether they want to reconnect with them. However, I've come to realize that some relationships are too toxic to revisit, and my children's well-being is my top priority.

Honesty is always the best policy, especially when it comes to my children. They know their father, and I've tried to co-parent, but you can't force someone to be a responsible parent. My name is the only one on their birth certificates, and that says it all. Their fathers may try to appear nice with messages/posts and voicemails, but my children have seen through the facade and chosen not to engage. I've given them the freedom to express their feelings, but their fathers didn't listen and instead blamed me for their own shortcomings. It's a classic narcissistic tactic, and I'm done with it. I've been the sole provider, caregiver, and everything in between for my children. I deserve respect, and I wish others would recognize that before asking intrusive questions. If only they knew the struggles I've faced, they wouldn't dare ask in the first place. Put all respect on my name!

#VentOver