Jeridah Andayi Says Raising Children Alone in the US Is Extremely Difficult
Former Citizen Radio presenter Jeridah Andayi has spoken about the challenges of raising children as a single parent in the United States, saying the experience is more demanding than many people expect.
Andayi, who left her role at Royal Media Services and moved to the US with her children, said the American system is largely designed around two-parent households where responsibilities are shared. She noted that single parents often carry the full burden of childcare and household responsibilities on their own.
“America is meant for fathers, mothers, and children. Single parenting in America is hard; I see how people struggle because they are 100% responsible for their children,” she said.
She identified the high cost of domestic labour as one of the main difficulties for families living in the US. Unlike in Kenya, where many households employ live-in nannies or house helps, domestic support in America is expensive and often out of reach for many families.
Andayi described the routine many parents follow, including taking children to school or daycare, working full-time, and returning home to complete household chores without assistance. She added that the absence of affordable support services places additional pressure on single parents.
She also spoke about cultural differences in parenting, noting that children in the US are encouraged to become independent from a young age. According to Andayi, this expectation can create further challenges for single parents balancing work and family responsibilities.
Her remarks prompted discussion online, particularly among members of the Kenyan diaspora. Some parents agreed that the lack of extended family support and affordable childcare makes parenting abroad difficult. Others said that although support systems are available, adjusting to life without domestic help can be challenging for many migrants.
The discussion also expanded to broader social issues, including the high cost of childcare and domestic labour, which some commentators linked to declining birth rates and a growing number of people choosing not to have children. In previous remarks about life in the US, Andayi also addressed cultural differences surrounding religion.
She advised people to be cautious when using religious expressions in public, suggesting that neutral phrases such as “have a good day” may be more appropriate in a society with diverse beliefs.
