June 2025.

Friday morning. 8:15 am

Those who really know me know I am a private person, but on this particular morning, it changed my kids' lives and my life forever. I truly share only the most intimate things with those I consider close and safe, and this situation has shaken our family dynamic to its core, which is why I am willing to share our story. My kids are experiencing a "traumatic separation" from their dad. Both of my babies are single-digit ages. There are no words to explain to a young child what they had experienced that morning. I still struggle with how to demonstrate effective communication on where their dad is and WHY he is gone. As an adult and their mom, I find it even more challenging to articulate it without inserting my personal opinion and excluding the politics behind our situation. He was taken into ICE custody and is still there.

Abe, my children's father, was born in West Africa, arriving in the United States legally with no criminal background. He is a good human who works hard and has a lot of love for his kids!

My kids have prayed for their daddy every single night at bedtime since the day he left. My daughter often tells me, "Mommy, I miss daddy. It is so hard to have one parent." If only I could respond to her with what was really in my head, but I refrain. My son tells me, "I wish daddy were home so I could play soccer with him and watch NBA basketball together again." The hardest part of being a mother during this time is navigating the emotional rollercoaster and the random behavior that seems "off" because they don't know how to articulate their thoughts or feelings around our current life experience. Many nights, I end up with a kid in my room in the middle of the night, telling me about how scared they are of "the monsters" or sharing their latest bad dream with me.

There is no time to think about yourself when your only priority is the physical and mental safety of your babies. I keep it all in. I refuse to let my kids down. Every day, I have to be purposeful in choosing strength and positivity. I do everything I can to be their safe space, the person they trust to help them navigate their trauma. I am committed because I have no other choice. Some days, I don't know how I will do it, but our motto over the last several months has been to take every single day, one day at a time! Literally. Almost every single part of this experience has been completely out of my control.

I really hate asking for help, but understand it takes a village to raise children, and I am certainly grateful for ours. As I continue to solo-parent during this time and balance the needs of my family, I am specifically needing assistance with coverage in the following areas:

Expenses:

* Legal fees

* Ongoing support for virtual/phone communication with their daddy

* Groceries

* Next season clothes/shoes (I cannot keep up because they are growing like crazy)

* Kids' sports/activities (I really want them to continue participating in their activities and staying active)

* Mental health support for the family, including out-of-network trauma therapy/services for the kids

* Child care expenses when family and friends are not available to help, so I can go to work.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story. Please use your voice, move your feet, and get active for things happening in your community. Because every little bit helps fight the things that shouldn't be occurring in our families.