Where it all began…

Several months ago, I watched a TV show where there was a discussion about whether or not someone should marry the person they impregnate or who impregnates them. It obviously caught my attention. I was keen to hear what the panelists had to say because since I got pregnant, I always wanted to get as much information about motherhood and life after unwed pregnancy. The show then begins with an introduction of the five or so panelists. If my memory serves me right, three or four were married and two were single lady with no kids.

(Heavily sarcastic tone) On a show about marrying an unwed mother/ father of your unborn child, I wonder who was missing on the panel. PROBABLY AN UNWED MOTHER/ FATHER OF AN UNBORN CHILD! I remember watching that show wondered if these people had any idea about their topic of discussion. On several occasions I felt like “Vitu kwa ground hukuwa different!” I believe that the show had the right intention and their proverbial heart was in the right place. I’m super appreciative of that. However, being someone who was in that situation of unwed pregnancy, I honestly felt like I had gone to an ice-cream shop that had no ice-cream!

I believe that there is an age coming of more and more millennial parents who have plunged themselves into a sea of uncertainty concerning being responsible, or about to be responsible, for another human being during a phase where they are still figuring out whether to do film or finance in campus or which designer is “in” right now.

It’s tough, obviously, but I believe we can make it easier by creating a community where we can share our struggles and joys of those who have been there, are there or are headed there. A community where even those outside this circle can take a peek at what they sometimes don’t understand, and extend grace to those going through this. While I categorically do not condone unwed pregnancy, I know that we have it with us, and even more in our generation than in past times. It’s our responsibility to ensure that despite the statistics of “moral decay”, societal perceptions of irresponsibility and the entrance into an age of questioning what we once thought was conventional, we need to watch out for one another and ensure that we pass on goodness and love to the next generation.

I am convinced that the voice of millennial parents isn’t loud enough, if at all. Specifically, to fellow mums, let’s be real but do it right. Let’s raise kids who will look back and see our strength and determination despite the pain and hurt we went through. We need to understand that it is possible to redeem our time and effort through our well-raised children. What we do now will be our legacy. Let’s bring the ice-cream to the ice-cream shop. This is my conviction. This is my purpose. I am a millennial mum.