Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo has opened out about her unique parenting technique, describing how she utilized small lies to provide her children with a sense of security despite her separation from their father. In an honest interview with AntoSays, Iyabo highlighted how her challenging background inspired her ambition to provide a balanced life for her children.
Reflecting on her own experiences, Iyabo shared:
"I didn’t come from a balanced family. Financially, we were okay, but the dynamics within my family were far from stable. I craved a balanced home for my kids. When that didn’t happen, I decided to shield them from the harsh realities."
Iyabo restricted her children's exposure to media and false information about their father in order to preserve this sense of balance. She told her kids that their dad was a frequent traveler, masking the separation.
"I blocked my kids from everything—no social media, no newspapers—until they were older. I told them their dad was always traveling. I even bought gifts in his name for Christmas and made sure they were bigger than mine to create the impression he cared deeply," she explained.
Iyabo also allowed her children to spend time with their father during his visits, ensuring they experienced parental unity.
"Whenever he came home, I acted cool, laughed, and played along—even when I was upset. I wanted my kids to feel they had a complete family so they could share stories about their parents like their peers."
Her sincere admission has generated online controversy, with many people applauding her attempts to put her kids' emotional health first in spite of personal difficulties. Fans praised her fortitude and the sacrifices she took to shield her children from harm.
Iyabo's story demonstrates the difficulties of raising children and the extent some parents would go to in order to give them a sense of normalcy.