Patience Ozokwor tells parents to let their kids face challenges

Veteran Nollywood actress Patience Ozokwor, also known as Mama G, has urged parents not to protect their children from all challenges. She believes that letting kids face some struggles helps them grow into responsible and strong adults.

Ozokwor shared her own story of hard work. She remembered a time when she sold buns and cooked chicken at movie locations and auditions while saving money for transport.

In an interview with Femi Bassey TV on YouTube, shared on Wednesday, the actress said parents who promise their children a life without hardship might unintentionally make them weaker.

“When you say, ‘I don’t want my children to suffer what I suffered when I was growing up,’ okay, that’s the best way to destroy your children,” she said.

“I’m not saying allow them to suffer. What I’m saying is allow them to struggle. Go through the process.”

Ozokwor talked about her tough journey to success. She worked hard while raising her kids and caring for her husband, who had diabetes and hypertension for many years.

Ozokwor recalled, “There was a time I was frying buns. When I even came into the industry, I would prepare chicken, dress it well. I would prepare buns for anyone you want to buy.”

She took the food to movie locations and auditions, where people bought from her. She saved the money to pay for her transport.

“But maybe the next day you see the children standing, waiting for me to see if there’s money coming up for handouts and for all that. Yes, that’s how I grew up,” she said.

The actress explained that those experiences helped her children learn to take care of themselves instead of relying only on her achievements.

Ozokwor said she made sure her children knew the hard work behind their family’s possessions. She mentioned that three of her sons helped with construction work while they were in university.

“I don’t say that your children will go through all the pains you went through, but let them go through little pains. Then they will know that it is not easy to make,” she said.

She also warned parents not to give everything to their kids without teaching them how to maintain and grow what they inherit.

“Don’t get this on the platter of gold. It’s not easy. Your father built three houses, four houses and you think you can balance on eating it,” she said.

Ozokwor encouraged young people to work hard. She recalled that she did not wait for her husband to provide everything she needed.

“I didn’t wait for my husband. I studied my husband. I knew the kind of person he was. I buttoned up and then tied my belt and I struggled,” she said.

The actress added that her children are now doing well because they understand hard work and the sacrifices made to build their lives.

“My children know the pains of making life better and that’s why they are all comfortable now, struggling on their own,” she said.