Two of my babyfathers are deadbeat dads

Dear pastor,

Keep up the good work you are doing. I read your column all the time. I am 39 years old and I have three children for three different fathers, one girl and two boys.

When it comes to support, I have no problem with my daughter’s father but the fathers of the two boys won’t take care of them. The father of my first son lives in New York but he does not support him. The father of the other boy lives in Portmore. He is working but he does not support his child either. Pastor, it is hard on me to support them by myself. I am working but sometimes I can’t even pay my bills because I have to take care of them. The little work is not much but I am grateful for it. I have reached a point where I am really stressed out and I have decided to take action because these fathers are living well but their sons are suffering. My son’s fathers’ names are on their birth certificates. I know where to go for help for my son’s father in Portmore but I don’t know where to go to get help for the one who is living in New York. Pastor, I would appreciate any information you may be able to give me to get help from the man in New York. My son whose father is living in New York is eight years old and the one whose dad is in Portmore is three years old.

M.W.

Dear M.W.,

I am very sorry to know that your two sons are not being properly supported. These men should be forced to support their children. You need to contact a lawyer who will be able to track down the man who lives in New York and who would see to it that he supports his child. If you feel that you are not in a position to get help from a lawyer, you should contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade here in Jamaica who would assist you in locating this man and to get support for your son from him. I am sorry that I am unable to assist you further in this matter. Do not be afraid to take the man who lives in Portmore to court for child support. Madam, you are 39 years old and I am not here to rebuke you, so don’t take what I am about to say to you as rebuke. I am telling you to be careful. If you think you want to have sex, kindly protect yourself even if the man get downs on his knees and begs you to have sex with him. Take care of yourself. I wish you well.

Pastor