Ricky from Jackson, Mississippi, knows what it means to shoulder a heavy burden. As a single father of four young girls, his life is a constant whirlwind of responsibilities. When his wife passed away, the youngest of their daughters was just five months old. The pain of that loss is still fresh, but the demands of fatherhood leave little time for mourning.
“I do my best to keep this family together,” Ricky shares, his voice tinged with both pride and exhaustion. “Imagine being in my shoes. I know you know it’s not easy. I need to take them to school, feed them, clean them, clean their clothes, and on top of that, provide for the other things.”
“I do my best to keep this family together,” Ricky shares, his voice tinged with both pride and exhaustion. “Imagine being in my shoes. I know you know it’s not easy. I need to take them to school, feed them, clean them, clean their clothes, and on top of that, provide for the other things.”
His day starts before the sun rises and often ends long after it has set. Between school runs, meal preparations, laundry, and other household chores, Ricky barely has a moment to catch his breath. Yet, he remains undeterred, driven by a fierce love for his daughters and a deep sense of duty.
The Harsh Reality of Single Parenthood
Ricky is acutely aware of the challenges he faces. “And let’s be honest, things won’t get any easier from here on. Like let’s be honest, what woman is going to accept me with four children and be like ‘oh yes I will take care of them?’” The question hangs heavy in the air, a stark reminder of the loneliness that often accompanies his role.
Despite the overwhelming nature of his responsibilities, Ricky sees his situation as a calling. “I see this as a burden from Jesus, so it has to be accepted. I am trying to make their life the best possible and raise them up into good women the best way I can. But I am a disciplinarian; there are rules that need to be respected.”
His strict approach to parenting has not always been well-received, especially by his mother-in-law, who has become a crucial support system in the absence of his own parents. Her help, however, comes with its own set of challenges.
A Mother’s Disagreement
A few days ago, during one of her regular visits, Ricky’s mother-in-law voiced her disapproval of his parenting style. “She criticized me for asking my daughters to do chores at five years old. She believes kids should just be kids while they’re still young.”
Ricky defended his stance, explaining that he wants his daughters to learn the hard things first. “Life is not easy,” he asserted, his voice firm. “Things quickly escalated and went out of control.”