Malia Leialoha Enosa

My first black eye and split lip were inflicted by the person I admired the most—my father—while my initial experience of abandonment came from the woman who brought me into this world.

I’m not here to criticize my parents, as the reality is they raised me by reflecting the upbringing they themselves had.

My childhood was intertwined with the traumas of both my mother and father. I grew up emulating the lives they led during their formative years, and I believe they genuinely attempted to alter their past. However, the generational curse was deeply ingrained in the most innocent parts of my life.

Before I became a mother, I made a promise to myself to do better. I wanted to be the kind of mom my daughter could turn to for safety. A mother who would be more compassionate and less aggressive. A mother who would provide a sense of home, where she could see more tranquility than turmoil.

I’m not a flawless parent, and I never will be. But I can sincerely declare that “Generational Curses” stop with me. I hope you also choose to be the parent your child or children can take pride in. I hope you prioritize your child over the generational burdens that many families have carried for years. Strive to be better, to do better, so your kids can have a more promising start to adulthood. Let “Generational Curses” end with you.