The Rebirth

Zanele’s kids had become lazy – but her sister had a plan to change that

- Lebogang Gatuke

ZANELE was happy being a stay-at-home mom, and she took pleasure in doing everything for her children. She cooked and cleaned and washed and ironed for them all day long.

However, she watched her children become less and less productive every day. To be honest, they were very lazy and she knew it. But she couldn’t help herself; she loved them so much.

Zanele excused her actions by saying she wanted the kids to focus on school, to get enough sleep, to have no cares in the world. They never had to worry about finding a clean shirt in the morning, or where their books or lunchboxes were.

She wanted the best for them and for them to be the best. Instead they became difficult and unwilling to do anything at all – work, move from the couch or even socialise with friends.

“What if you weren’t there for them anymore, Zanele?” Thembi asked out of concern for her sister’s children.

“It won’t come to that, believe me. They will shape up soon, they’re still young,” she defended her offspring

“Your eldest is 25 and you still make her bed, sisi! You really need to start letting go.”

“Letting go.” Those words again. Zanele kicked them around in her head. Why should a woman raise her kids and then someday be expected to let them go?

She sipped her coffee as she pondered on the idea of letting go for the millionth time.

“How do you let go? Like you said, they are so used to having me do everything for them and so I might as well just keep going. It’s easier that way”

Thembi jumped straight up from her chair, startling the whole café, excited by her breakthrough. It was the first time Zanele was even considering backing off.

“Ok, I’ve got it; I’ve got a really great idea. You need to force them to shape up.”

“Force them? How?”