Parenting
Being the lovechild of two young hippies, ZoeLena witnessed the adverse effects from the result of her parents being married so young. Her mother, just sixteen years old, her father, only nineteen years old at the date of ZoeLena’s birth, their relationship was, needless to say, a rocky one.
Zoe’s mother being the passionate and spiritual woman that she was, always took ZoeLena and her younger brother to church and church events, while her father was busy rehearsing with his band, partying and being the Wild Child that he was.
At the tender age of only eight years old, ZoeLena’s father, who she couldn’t help but admire, passed away in a car accident due to drunk driving. Her young widowed mother became extremely depressed and despondent for many years but worked hard as a single mother, providing for her two young children.
As a child, “Zoe” was accustomed to witnessing and receiving every type of abuse, causing her to develop a deep inner strength from a very early age, always being a rock of strength to all who surrounded her.
Even with the love and support of grandparents, teachers and leaders of faith, ZoeLena still felt a major void and rebelled emphatically.
Not partaking in drugs or alcohol untill later in life, Zoe was still sneaking out, stealing her mother’s car, attending clubs with a fake ID, hanging out in VIP rooms and backstage at concerts, causing her to always live beyond her years and eventually move out of her mother’s home at only seventeen years old.
Needless to say, the cycle of becoming a young bride and teenage mother was repeated and ZoeLena was married, with child at just eighteen.
Many of the same patterns that were evident in her parent’s relationship were repeated in this marriage and by the time Zoe’s child was four years old, she was a single parent herself.
Even after having a child conceived out of a rape and facing what would be one of Zoe’s greatest adversities, she still continued to live life in the fast lane, focused on being money-motivated as an agent in the entertainment industry.
A few years later, after phenomenal success in business and healing from the shock of tragedy, ZoeLena felt entitled to partake in a passionate, six-week escapade which resulted in her turning down a marriage proposal… even though she was pregnant.
Justifying already having two children, especially keeping a child who was conceived out of a rape, ZoeLena found the highest quality abortion clinic in her area, checked in under a fictitious name, paid the fee and sat in a crowded waiting room to abort her third child.
It was in that very waiting room that Zoe’s life made a complete turnaround. Being strongly convicted of her rebellious ways and having what would be the greatest epiphany of her life thus far, ZoeLena proceeded to not only walk away from the abortion clinic but to also walk away from her chaotic lifestyle.
During the pregnancy and birth of her third child amid the turn of the millenium, ZoeLena returned to her first love: her undeniable faith within. After a time of rejuvination, restoration and deep reevaluation, Zoe not only furthered her education in psychology but made a promise to herself to break all generational cycles and patterns so that her three children could learn from her mistakes as a mentor, never having to face the adversities she has.
Successfully, Zoe has raised three stellar, well-rounded, intelligent, creative, loving children and assisted many parents in dealing with child-rearing or issues with their own teens.
No matter how you were raised or if you’re a single parent, ZoeLena and her children are proof that you can overcome any obstacle and create a new legacy by abandoning old ideas, cycles and patterns of parenting.
Hey Zoe, I love your story. This should be shared to all so that they can learn how to get up and fight! You will be a good role model.
Bad experiences mold us to be a strong person. I am happy that inspite of what had happened in your past. You have become an exceptional person.
I remember when I was still young, I used to sneak out of the house and have some wacky nights with my friends. I was a rebel child because I never understood my parents. I changed when I met my boyfriend who later on became my husband. He helped me realized a lot of things and went to the right path because of him.
I got my first child when I was just eighteen too. It was a tough time when I don’t know where to go and how to take care of my baby. A few strangers helped me. I am very thankful to them and we all became good friends ready to help one another.
Every mistake is a learning experience. After all, we did not learn to ride a bike without falling off it first. Personally, I almost drowned before I learned to swim. We all should be patient and success is just waiting to be found.
Wow Zoe you are such a strong woman! I may not know how it feels but you are an amazing person. You never stop inspiring people.
Miracles are everywhere around us. We just have to open our hearts, minds and eyes to see them. If anyone you know needs help, always find time to help them. People don’t deserve to be treated indifferently because of their past.
Hope is what makes us get up and live despite all the pain that we feel. It is what makes us strong enough to survive, to dream, to work for something better. I am happy for you Zoe.
Facing the pain in confronting your problems head on is like undergoing surgery when you have acute appendicitis. The condition itself is painful but then you still have to undergo an operation which will also cause even more pain especially after the anesthesia wears off. It will be uncomfortable for a while but in the end, the wound would heal and you will feel better.
I agree you can always set your life right whatever your past was. Zoe made sure her kids will have a wonderful life. That is called mothers love.
Parenting is never easy as it seems. You should always find time for your kids no matter what. Kids will remember everything about their childhood, so we need to make it the best for them.
Bearing a child and taking care of them in a not so good situation is hard. Your story Zoe made me teary eyed yet I am happy. You became a good parent in spite of what had happened before.
Growing up teach us how to be independent. I am still thankful that whatever happened in the past will not happen anymore in the future. Let us take care of our kids to become the best they can be.
We can always make our future something better. You have done a great job, Zoe! Everything here is amazing.
Life is all about changes. Every single experience you go through like this changed you in some way. Every new person who comes into your life changes you. Every moral dilemma or emotional experience you come up against changes you. We can mold our future the way we want it to be. Like me, I am still trying to go to the right path and become as successful as you, Zoe.
I am thankful that God gave me my parents. They are always there to support me. I will do the same when I get to have my own family someday.
We all suffered some unexpected things in the past. I was glad to see that it didn’t stop you from what you always wanted. You are a great mom and a good person.
If I could change things, still I wouldn’t. And just because there’s nothing I can do, doesn’t mean I’m giving up, I’m just moving on. You are an inspiration that everyone can still move on and make something good out of it.
Not everyone can take this kind of past in a positive way. You happened to be a strong person with the will to go on. I highly respect a person who can move on and share love with everyone.
Superb material.