When we think of immigrants, we usually picture people coming to America in search of a better life. But what about families who are forced to leave their homes and countries for just that? greta onieogou parentsare one such family. When Gretta was just three years old, her family had to leave their home in Nigeria in order to escape political unrest. Now, as an adult, Gretta has written a memoir about her experiences as a displaced person and her parents’ journey to find safety and opportunity in the United States. In this article, we will explore some of the messy realities of the immigration process and how it can affect families like Gretta’s. We hope you enjoy reading it as much as we did writing it!
Gretta Onieogou’s parents are both Nigerian immigrants who came to the United States in the early 1980s. They met and fell in love while they were both working as nurses in a hospital in Nigeria. After they married, they moved to the United States and started a family.
Although their story is relatively common, Gretta’s parents have faced many challenges due to their lack of English skills and unfamiliarity with American culture. They have had to work hard to make a life for themselves and their children, often living hand-to-mouth due to their low income.
Despite these challenges, Gretta’s parents have always been supportive of their daughter and her dreams. They are proud of Gretta’s accomplishments, and they continue to provide guidance and support throughout her career as an Olympic swimmer.
The Messy Reality of Gretta’s Parents’ Relationship
Ever since Gretta was little, she’s known her parents couldn’t seem to keep their relationship together. They fought all the time and would scream at one another until Gretta would hide in her room. Eventually, Gretta learned to just stay out of it and not get involved.
But when Gretta turned 18 and started living on her own for the first time, she decided she wanted to know more about her parents’ relationship. She asked them about it and they both revealed that their relationship was really messy. They always fought and it seemed like there wasn’t a single moment where they didn’t have some kind of disagreement.
Gretta was surprised by how open her parents were with her about their relationship. It made her feel closer to them even though she still doesn’t understand why their relationship is so messed up. But at least she now knows what to expect if she ever visits them again…
The Impact of Gretta’s Parents’ Relationship on Her Life
In Gretta Onieogou’s memoir, The Messy Realities, she writes extensively about her parents’ relationship. She describes it as being messy and complicated from the beginning. Her mother is a fierce woman who never backs down from a fight and her father is a passive man who does not assert himself. Gretta attributes much of their dysfunction to their parents’ tumultuous relationship.
Her mother was constantly fighting with her father and he would retreat into his own world. This left Gretta feeling lonely and lost in her home. Her father also did not provide much support during difficult times such as when her mother became ill. Instead, he would focus on his work and leave Gretta to deal with the situation alone.
As a result of their dysfunctional relationship, Gretta grew up feeling unsupported and misunderstood. She often felt like she had to stand up for herself against her powerful mother and passive father. This made it difficult for her to trust anyone which hindered her ability to form relationships later in life.
Overall, Gretta’s memoir provides an insightful look into the impact of her parents’ relationship on her life. It shows how dysfunction can have long-term consequences for both children and adults alike.
How to Deal with Difficult Parents
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to dealing with difficult parents, as the situation will vary depending on the individual’s relationship with his or her parents and parenting style. However, some general tips for handling difficult parents can be helpful:
1. Don’t take things personally. It’s important not to let your resentment towards your parents turn into anger or bitterness – these emotions will only make your relationship with them more difficult.
2. Be honest with them. If you have a problem that you need to discuss with them, be open and up-front about it, and don’t try to avoid the issue by pretending it doesn’t exist. They’re likely to react negatively if they’re not given a chance to respond properly to what you’ve said.
3. Avoid arguing with them directly. This will only lead to tension and conflict, which is generally not in either of your interests – especially if you want continued harmony in your home life. Instead, try to solve problems quietly and diplomatically, using reason rather than force or argumentation.
4. Be patient and understanding. Difficult parents are often under a lot of pressure – both from themselves and from society – which means that they may behave in ways that seem irrational or even hostile at times. Try not to get too caught up in the drama, and simply focus on calmly handling any disagreements that do arise.
Gretta Onieogou’s Response
Gretta parents are immigrant Nigerian immigrants who, despite their many struggles and tribulations, have always been fiercely proud of their daughter. She is an advocate for refugees and Immigrants’ rights, and has spoken at length about the issue on various platforms. In a recent interview with Mic, Gretta’s mother discussed the family’s history and how they’ve managed to maintain their sense of pride despite facing some difficult odds.
“My parents didn’t have anything when they came to this country,” Gretta’s mother tells Mic. “My dad worked his way up from nothing — he was never given anything.”
Her parents met in Nigeria, where her father was working as a civil servant. They were married in Nigeria and eventually relocated to America, where they started their family in a cramped apartment in New York City. Despite the challenges they faced – poverty, racism, language barriers – her parents never lost sight of their dreams for their children.
“They always told me that if I could make it here and do better than them, then that would be really great,” Gretta says. “And I think that really helped me.”
Gretta went through a lot of growing pains during her teenage years as she learned to navigate the complicated social landscape of suburban America. But she credits her immigrant background for helping her to empathize with others who are also struggling to fit in – something that has served her well as
Conclusion
Gretta Onieogou’s powerful and emotional essay, “My Parents: The Messy Realities” depicts the struggles of a young woman growing up with mixed-race parents. Gretta has always been aware of her unique identity, but it wasn’t until she got to college that she started to understand the full weight of it. Her experiences as an undergraduate student at a predominately white university were compounded by her racial and ethnic challenges. In spite of all these obstacles, Gretta is determined to make a life for herself. I applaud Gretta for her bravery in writing this essay and sharing her story with the world. It is important that we are open to discussing difficult topics like race and identity, so that we can work together to create a more inclusive society.
