My Son Asked to Live With His Dad… But Came Back in Less than a Week - Everlyne Adhiambo

What happens when a young woman becomes a mother while also carrying the responsibility of raising her younger siblings? In this deeply honest conversation, a single mum of two shares the story of her journey through early motherhood, poverty, marriage, separation, co-parenting and healing. She grew up in what she describes as a stable home until the devastating loss of her mother changed everything. As the firstborn, she found herself caring for her younger siblings in Nairobi while their father remained upcountry. Then she discovered she was pregnant with her first child. With six children depending on her, she took on odd jobs before finding work as an untrained teacher in a small school. Life was difficult, but she met a man who showed her kindness and financial support. They started their life together from almost nothing — a small room, very little money, but, as she remembers it, they were happy. She tells stories of waking up early on Sundays to make chapatis for him before he went to church choir, cleaning their tiny home and joining chamas to help provide household necessities. Eventually, they got married, welcomed their son and gradually became more financially stable. But according to her, their relationship began changing when they started splitting household bills 50/50. Financial disagreements grew into power struggles, conflict and eventually separation. Her husband left the home with just three sacks for his clothes and shoes. She says she had purchased most of the household items they left behind. Then came an especially painful chapter for their son — seeing his father with another woman and eventually asking to go and live with him. What happened when he went to stay with his dad? He came back home crying. The family went through further conflict, including an incident where she was accused of assault and arrested. Her children struggled to understand how their father could have their mother taken to jail. They have since sought counselling and are working through the pain. She shares what she has learnt about healing, forgiveness, co-parenting, emotional regulation and raising children while parenting single-handedly. She even shares how keeping cats became part of her healing journey after a therapist suggested they could help with emotional regulation. Despite everything she has experienced, she has not given up on marriage. She still believes marriage is beautiful because she witnessed a happy marriage between her parents. But there is one thing she is certain about: She can forgive her former husband, but she will never live with him as his wife again. This is a conversation about the realities that can exist behind closed doors — and about finding hope, healing and strength after a painful chapter. ❤️ If you are a parent, separated parent, single mum, firstborn, or someone navigating family conflict, this conversation may speak directly to you. 👉 Watch, share your thoughts in the comments and subscribe for more honest parenting conversations. #SingleMother #SingleParenting #ParentingJourney #Marriage #Divorce #CoParenting #Healing #AfricanParenting #ParentingStories #Motherhood #fridahwasongaparentingshow #parentingconversationswithfridah