Everyone close to me in my life knew my relationship was vulnerable which made me cringe about having to share this news. About a week later, we drove to my hometown to tell my family. Even to this day, I have never been more anxious about anything in my life. I had planned to tell my parents first over dinner but found myself in a situation that afternoon where we were alone with my mom and three sisters. My heart was thumping. ‘Was this the right time and way to do it?’ Finally, I saw an opportunity as someone referenced a baby in a story they were telling. In a semi-joking nature (to help calm my chaotic nerves), I piggybacked off this and said something like, ‘yeah, we are having a baby too.’ In hindsight, probably not the best delivery. Nobody spoke. Everyone looked around at each other dumbfounded. Finally, my eldest sister broke the painful silence. ‘Are you serious?,’ she asked. I was serious. Once I confirmed it, my sisters hesitantly started sharing their congratulations – I mean what choice did they have? But, my mother just walked away. I went to her and she was crying. With tears flowing she said, ‘Do you know how hard it is to raise a child in a situation where the mother and father are in love and committed to one another?’ She was well aware of my relationship weaknesses. I realized she was sad for my child because I would be bringing this son or daughter into an environment that lacked love and stability. I got the message. Her reaction validated my same feelings when I first found out.
‘I had to leave. I had to be a single dad to be a better father for my daughter.’: Single dad explains his relationship was ‘vulnerable, beyond repair,’ despite being determined to have a ‘strong co-parenting relationship’
