Jill Scott on Single Motherhood

[KPT-CEO Dark Knyte]

Jill Scott on Single Motherhood
Kenya N. Byrd

from Essence.com

ESSENCE.COM: So does that mean you had an easy labor of love?
SCOTT: Not at all. I was in labor for 36 hours. After that experience, anytime I have reservations and think I can't do anything I remind myself that I survived the birth of my child (Laughs). Although I didn't scream my baby into this world, the pain continued after he was born for at least three weeks. During labor I felt like I needed to put the fire out. Everybody kept telling me the pain wasn't going to last forever but after 20 hours of it I left the building. I felt like I was on the ceiling looking down at myself like, Dag, girl, you still in labor? I know my experience isn't everyone's but I believe people need to be realistic when sharing their stories about their pregnancies and birth. When he arrived I held him in my arms for about an hour and then went to sleep because I was simply exhausted.

ESSENCE.COM: Well, at least your hubby-to-be was there to support. How has he been adjusting to Jett?
SCOTT: Yes, he was there and for a couple of days afterwards while I stayed in hospital, but John and I are no longer together. When you have a baby you're dealing with a lot of emotions and I don't know how much of it had to do with us breaking up, but it happens. We definitely love our son and we are co-parenting and working on being friends. It is what it is. I have a lot of support, so I want for nothing as far as that's concerned. I know some might criticize me or the fact that my son is being raised in a single-parent home, but I wasn't raised in a two-parent home and I had a good relationship with my dad. I have hopes for him and I'm sure his father will do his part as well.

ESSENCE.COM: As a mother, what has been the biggest lesson thus far?
SCOTT: My heart and prayers go out to all single moms because it's tough, and I can't imagine any teenager dealing with a baby and all those hormones raging. I can afford to have this child at 37 because I have a support system and I can talk to my girls, Mo'Nique and Erykah [Badu], but I don't understand how any mother does it alone. I don't believe I suffered from postpartum because I didn't feel depressed, but it was jarring and I can understand now how some mothers lose it. What he's taught me is that I thought I was grown and patient but I was neither until now. Even when I hold him and dance with him to his favorite song, Marvin Gaye's "Come Live With Me," and he holds me tighter and then relaxes, I realize that I never knew unconditional love like this before, and I'm looking forward to watching and helping him grow.

[KPT-EX L.U.120x3]

The queen's gonna be alright regardless of her situation......

[KPT-CEO Dark Knyte]

Right on Right On!

[Kemi N]

it's unfortunate it ended up like that follwing a birth of a child but she's definitely a person i see as strong woman....i'm sure things will be just fine for all them.

[Cassandra Ferguson]

FROM THE TIME I CAME OUT OF THE WOMB I KNEW THAT I WANTED CHILDREN. I THINK THAT ANY MAN THAT LOVES THEIR CHILDREN THEY WILL BE AROUND, THEIR ARE STILL GOOD FATHERS TODAY. I HAVE CHOOSEN TO RAISE ALL THREE OF MY CHILDREN ALONE BECAUSE I JUST DID NOT FEEL LIKE BEING BOTHERD WITH THE FATHER'S YES ,THERE ARE THREE ,AND I MUST ADMIT, WE ARE ALL FAMILY, THEY DO THEIR THING ,AND I DO MY THING. THE NEXT CHILD THAT I HAVE I WILL DO IT ALLAHS WAY, I WILL GET MARRIED FIRST.ONLY WITH MY SOULMATE. I WANT A LOT OF CHILDREN AND I WILL BE ADOPTING AS WELL.

[Cassandra Ferguson]

IT'S NOT TOUGH RAISING CHILDREN ON YOUR OWN YOU JUST HAVE TO HAVE A BALANCE LIFE.

[Cassandra Ferguson]

THAT BOY CHILD IS GOING TO LOOK UP TO HIS MOTHER. THE GIRL CHILD IS GOING TO LOOK UP TO HER FATHER. IT HAS BEEN PROVEN IT'S THE FACTS.