ACTRESS opens up about single motherhood.
Durban Gen actress Nombulelo Mhlongo has opened up about the emotional challenges of raising her daughter as a single mum, shedding light on the importance of support and validation for kids growing up without one parent.
The 33-year-old actress from Pongola in KZN spoke candidly about her journey during an emotional interview on Pasi Koetle's podcast. She emphasised the importance of helping her daughter feel seen, loved, and understood, especially in the absence of her dad.
"I think for me for the longest time I was trying to give my daughter the validation that it's okay that her father is not there. Our kids sometimes, especially when they are younger, they don't know how to express it even though you can see it," she said.
Nombulelo said many parents often struggle to have honest conversations with young kids about absent parents - yet kids are often more aware than adults think.
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"Kids know, they see it, they see their friends with both parents during concerts. With my daughter I realised that it's almost as if every day she has to say her father's name as if she doesn't want to forget," she said.
The actress reflected on how her daughter tries to cope with the absence, and how she does everything she can to affirm her daughter's worth and strength.
"She keeps reminding herself and you can see that it hurts her. Also, I have to remind her that she's enough, there's nothing wrong with you, you are a princess, loved and surrounded by love, don't ever feel like there's something you are missing," she said.
During the emotional conversation, Nombulelo broke down in tears as she spoke about how her daughter often expresses her sadness to her gogo.
