Life is all about learning, and many times, the biggest lessons come from the mistakes we make ourselves. These lessons hit differently, especially when we never expected to find ourselves in such a situation, and it all boils down to the fact that we can't be perfect no matter how we try.
Since we are bound to make mistakes, I believe our biggest concern should be not allowing whatever mistake we made to ruin our future. Making crucial decisions is inevitable at that time, and we must be very careful of the decision we make.
The pre-adult stage is a very delicate period because of the great influence it has on our life as adults. People make the most mistakes in life at that stage and face long-term consequences just because they lack the wisdom to make the right decision after their mistakes.
It happens a lot of the time because many parents or guardians act rashly out of anger and disappointment, which is expected, but it would be a grave mistake for them to kick their child away at such a crucial time. There are no parents who would be happy to see a child they have invested so much in make a terrible mistake, such as a female child getting pregnant while seeking admission into a higher institution.
It would break down any parent and it's normal for them to react angrily.
I will like to state that parents can't be blamed for every mistake their child makes because children these days can be very mischievous despite the parent's effort to inculcate discipline in the child's life. Curiosity, peer pressure, abuse of freedom, and many other things are responsible for these children's mistakes, so it's not always the issue of bad parenting.
Image was gotten and edited on Canva
In a case like this, two wrongs won't make a right, so turning away from my daughter because she got pregnant would never happen. I will evaluate my relationship to know if it's my fault, and regardless of who is at fault, I am standing by my daughter physically, mentally, and emotionally.
We have seen scenarios like this, and it usually doesn't end well in most cases.
I know a particular woman who had this issue when she was younger, and her mother's intervention had a great impact on her.
Her mother insisted that she had the baby before furthering her education, and today, this particular woman couldn't bear another child. She had a failed marriage twice because she couldn't bear another child despite having medical clearance. There are high chances that she would be barren if she didn't keep the pregnancy then, and that's terrible.
I believe that giving a child up for marriage because she got pregnant is sending a child to a warfront without any training. It's wrong, and it most often ends with regrets for many female children who found themselves in this situation. Disowning the child wouldn't do any good as well, so it's as well not an option.
Scolding the girl is inevitable, and I will like to know what she wants for herself before sharing my plans with her. She will definitely keep the baby, and it will be my responsibility so she can further her education. I believe she will learn a valuable lesson and not let such a mistake happen again.
In conclusion, life's journey is marked by mistakes, and our response to these mistakes automatically influences our future. As parents or guardians, it's our responsibility to guide our children through their mistakes, especially during the critical pre-adult stage.
Instead of kicking them away, it's best we offer empathy, support, and wisdom. By doing these, we will empower them to learn valuable lessons and build resilience as they journey through life. The consequences of abandonment or harsh judgment can be devastating and long-lasting.
My response to the Hive Naija weekly prompt feel free to check out the prompt and participate.