Riya N

“Mommy, what do you want to be when you grow up “

I’m feeling quite insecure and sad for my child. She just started Primary 1 and she’s already starting to ask me lots of questions. Questions of why it’s just her and mommy and no daddy, what does my mommy do for work- all the questions she’s also getting on the playground.

And the school emailed to say they have 5 food bags that have been donated and to call ahead to reserve one as they were on a first come first served basis. Lord knows I need this bag but also comes dread of one more question about why i have shopping from the school. I tried to wait till most parents left but there were lots loitering about still and those children with late parents still waiting a bit on the inside , just by reception where I’m supposed to pick up this bag. But I do anyway and walking out of that door it felt like all eyes were on me. Then my daughter starts with the questions how come we have food from the school, why they gave it to us and not other mommies etc .I know I should be the last person to feel embarrassed but the reality is that people will still look and they will still ask. Couple days later my daughter is already asking me what i want to be when I grow up. Ok, so number one- I’m already grown up but the fact that I don’t seem to have a job means I’m yet to grow up enough to be able to get that job. Ahh the innocence of children. That broke my heart but I don’t know what to do to come out a better person. To be a “grown up” with a job that my daughter can proudly or even

Confidently say back “ my mommy is a ….