18/04/2026
Good morning Nurse Chi,
Please, I really need family advice because I feel like I’m drowning in depr€ssion and confusion.
I’m a 28-year-old single mom to a child whose father is a 51-year-old married man. He is Yoruba and I’m Igbo. From the time I got pregnant (which he insisted on) until now that my child is almost 3 years old, we’ve always had disagreements. Anytime I don’t do what he wants, he stops sending money.
Last year, I had serious accommodation issues and begged him to support me financially, even if it was small, but he refused. That led to me and my child moving from place to place. I kept managing and saving. During that period, he stopped sending monthly support. Out of frustr@tion, I reached out to his close friends to talk to him, but that made things worse. He said I shouldn’t have involved them, and I apologized,because he said nobody will tell him what to do not even he’s family.
Recently, he told me to move to the mainland and promised to pay rent, school fees, and other expenses. After thinking about it, I agreed. At first, he said it would be a mini flat, then later changed it to a self-contained apartment, saying I don’t have household items anymore. I explained that I can buy things gradually, but that also caused another issue. He started insvlting me and said I haven’t been a good mother, even mentioning that the 100k he sends for upkeep is something some people don’t even get. Out of anger, I responded that some people receive 500k and more too ,it all depends on one’s capacity..Since then, for almost two weeks now, he has stopped calling or texting me. He only sends messages through his friend and said he will send house options through him, and I can choose if I like it.
The problem now is that I don’t have anyone on the mainland, he said I’m not he’s business he only care for our child only and me agreeing to move to the mainland is also so he can pay her fees and for her to rest .and I run an online business on the island that brings me about 200–300k monthly, and on a good month up to 400k. I’m scared to move because what if something goes wrong?
School is also resuming soon, and my child has already missed two terms. While we were still on good terms, I kept begging him to get a place quickly so I could settle and prepare her for school. He said l shouldn’t rush him that he doesn’t pluck money from trees that is after l have agreed to stay in the self con he suggested
I told his friend to inform him that I now have limited time where I’m currently staying and that I have some money to pay for a place on the island instead, while he can handle school fees and other responsibilities. But he’s friend said ,he told him that if l dare pay for a place on the island l should be ready to carry all the responsibilities
I feel completely stuck. Ever since I gave birth, I don’t even understand myself anymore. I used to be a happy person, but now I’m always sad and constantly worried about how to take care of my child and secure our future. I don’t have friends, I don’t socialize, and I feel so alone.
Please, I need advice. Should I still go to the mainland as he suggested, or should I stay on the island, pay for a place myself, and manage things on my own? I’m very scared of the burden ahead. Can I handle it?
Should I keep begging him? And if yes, for how long? It feels like he is using money to control me. Is this how I want to live my life?
I’m really tired and confused. Please help me