Hassie Tyes graduated from Grant High School in Sacramento and she has a 10-month old son, Hassan Marshall. She has been an Administrative Assistant for the past 2 years at the Roberts Family Development Center located in Del Paso Heights. Hassie shares with us through our Loving Brown Babies campaign* on the highs and lows of parenthood, and how she has a strong support base through organizations in which she is active.
Hassie believes the traits of a good mother are being present, being active in your child’s life, in the best way you can. Her most difficult job as a parent is being away from her son while at work, which was compounded when she could not find a reliable babysitter. But the biggest reward is being able to see the smile on her son’s face every day. When asked what she thinks her son loves most about her, Hassie says, “ I think it would be that I am very active in his day-to-day life and when we read together.” As for Hassan’s future, she continues, “I hope that he fulfills all his dreams. I hope that he never has to worry about anything.”
Ms. Tyes has been a member of South Sacramento Christian Center for 4 years, along with her dad and stepmom. Hassie is passionate about dance, and has been studying several types of dance since middle school. She has been with Studio T Dance Academy in Sacramento for 2 years, and involves her son by taking her to practice with her several times a week. This is another way to stay connected to him and give him a window into her life.
For new parents, Hassie has this advice, “I would tell first time moms that having a baby is not something to be scared about but, something you should be extremely happy for. Never stress, because this is supposed to be one of the happiest times of your life. Even though I have had challenges, I wouldn’t change anything because if I did I wouldn’t have my son.”
*The Loving Brown Baby Social Media Campaign is a part of the efforts led by the Steering Committee on Reduction for African American Child Deaths (RAACD) – Black Child Legacy Campaign. The aim of the RAACD is to reduce African American child deaths in the greater Sacramento region by addressing four critical issue areas for black mothers, fathers, and communities 1) Homicide Related to Child Abuse and Neglect; 2) Third Party Homicide; 3) Deaths Related to Perinatal Conditions; and 4) Infant Sleep Related Deaths. The RAACD is funded by the County of Sacramento, City of Sacramento and First 5 Sacramento, and is managed by The Center at Sierra Health Foundation.
The LBB campaign is produced and managed by the Sac Cultural Hub Media Foundation which is focused on highlighting and engaging families around the pleasures of family, babies, motherhood, fatherhood, and communities raising African American children. For questions about LBB contact call (916) 234-3589 or e-mail contact@sacculturalhub.com.
Contributed by Chief Editor, Pleshette Robertson
