Name: IK ORONSAYE City: Long Island NY Instagram: @queensgetda
What does being a father mean to you?
My father to me is a physical figure. He was a disciplinarian, educator and had a stoic personality. Was short on emotion and affection and did a lot of deferring to my mother. Thank the Lord for her.
Describe your experience with your father growing up and how that impacted you today.
My father growing up, made sure to stress education as the tool that would propel me and my siblings in adulthood. He thought us to never leave a job undone, whether that be household chores or making sure you paid attention to detail when assignments in school were due. I think that definitely has helped me today as a business owner of my own practice.
What things/tools/gems did you take from your experience growing up into your Fatherhood journey today?
I was able to take the good things that I enjoyed about being a young child and ultimately a young adult. I think the biggest item was seeing them stay married thru thick and thin. The bad things that I hated, I now take those things are lessons and items that I won’t bring forward into my sons’ experience.
Have you had any obstacles on your fatherhood journey? If so, explain.
No real obstacles really. I have been able to get a ton of support from family, in-laws, aunties, uncles etc. So have been very fortunate to have my son not have a want or need.
I think the biggest challenge is continuing to date my partner as if she is my girlfriend still. Kids are little grenades’ though beautiful in nature, are absolute havoc, keeping up with your partner in a way where things still feel fresh and new.
What advice would you give other Fathers on their journey?
Stay focused, make sure to financially and physically be present. Try and find a community of other young couples that can help you raise your child and look for positive explains you can lean into.
If you could write a quick letter to your father, starting with “Dear Father,” what would you say?
I would keep it simple and say “Thank You”. Not necessarily anything in particular but for the physical presence that I needed to see, thank you for prioritizing education bc without that I wouldn’t be as successful as I am today.
Lastly, thank you for getting it partly correct, my job now is to take the legacy to new heights!
