My parents have been worried sick about me because they don't know the exact place I am. It didn't matter even though I'd been speaking with them on the phone to let them know that I'm alright.
A few days ago, I had to take my son to them so he would resume school. I wouldn't let the situation at hand deprive him of education.
Two weeks after I and my son initially got to the shelter, his dad had sent a message that he wanted to speak with his son, so I thought to myself, saying, " well, let him speak with his dad".
I had the phone on speaker and was listening to the conversation between father and son. I got uncomfortable when he started asking the boy where he was.
At first, my son answered by saying "I'm in somebody's house". His dad kept asking, knowing that the boy is smart and may reveal information to him.
I wasn't comfortable with the questions he was asking, at that moment, I took the phone, placed the call on hold, and told him to tell his dad that he is somewhere.
After releasing the call, he replied to his dad saying "I am somewhere".
His dad didn't stop there, he kept asking the boy, making him confused.
I regretted taking the call in the first place as I took the phone back from my son and hung up.
Earlier today, I had taken a video of the environment of the shelter and had sent it to my mom so she would feel relaxed that I'm safe. Due to the rules of the shelter, no one can know the address so I am strictly abiding by that rule.
After sending the video of the shelter house to my mom, via my elder sister's WhatsApp, I received a voice vote from her.
I was expecting a word or two from my sister or mom however, what I heard made me laugh and feel proud of my son.
In the voice note, I heard my sister asking my son some questions.
My sister: Nat do you know this place?
Nat: Yes, I and my mommy stayed there
My Sister: Where is the place?
Nat: That place is SOMEWHERE
My sister: Do you know this other place?
Nat: Yes, that's my room and my mommy's room.
After listening to the voice vote, I was *"oh! Okay!!, he used the word someone when my sister asked him because that was what I had told him earlier.
I recalled that I had told him earlier that if anyone asks him where he was, he should just say he is somewhere instead of using the word SHELTER.
It made me realize that children learn even when we the mothers think that they are still babies.
This is why parents need to watch what they say and do in the presence of their kids because these children are wise and smart.
