Solo father talks about struggles of raising children

By Aruna Lolani 30 June 2017, 12:00AM

Raising children is tough enough.

But when you have to do it alone, it’s another challenge altogether.

Welcome to the world of Tausagafou Niutoloumu.

 “I know it’s not the end of the world but there is still one half missing,” he said. 

“I never expected to raise our kids alone, and normally in families would probably back out of it if we are told we would lose our spouse while our children were young.”

Tausaga lost his wife to cancer in 2001. 

“I feel sorry for my children every day because there are things mothers can only do we can’t do. 

“They are now learning from their aunties, families and friends. There are also some things that I can’t bring to the table when dealing with my daughters, and that’s firsthand experience.”

The 53-year-old father of five said it’s a difficult work but he has done a good job to try and manage.

 “My wife passed away in 2001,” he said.

“My children grew up without a mother so they do know what it’s like to have a mother. 

“Her death changed our lives. I quit my job because our youngest child was only 4 months old at the time. 

“We also moved from place to place, it’s very tough for me to raise them alone so I dragged them around with me because we moved away from their mom’s family where we used to live. 

“We are now staying at our other land here at Talimatau and trying our best to live here as long as we could.

“What we need and want depends on the plantation. Even though we don’t have water or electricity we are still thankful because my children and I are together. 

“That is the most important thing to me. The three of them are schooling and the other two now have families of their own.

 “It’s a tough job, this solo parenting thing. You’ll make mistakes, but with positive intention and love you’ll all make it through like I do.” 

By Aruna Lolani 30 June 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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