LAURINBURG − Malcolm Campbell was nervous about becoming a father, but all of the fears disappeared the moment he held his daughter for the first time.

“I was scared, very scared, and nervous because of that whole another life depending on you, but I was excited too,” Campbell said. “I was exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time. But the minute they put her in my arms, it was instant love like I’ve never felt before.”

It was because of that profound sense of love and accountability that 28-year-old Campbell didn’t hesitate to accept the sole responsibility for raising his daughter. He and his ex-girlfriend decided it would be better for Malaysia to live with him, so he received custody of the baby when she was two months old.

“She already had children from another relationship and she was having a rough time, so we considered it to be in Malaysia’s best interest to do it that way,” Campbell said.

Malaysia’s mother is still involved in her life, but her father is responsible for her day-to-day care.

He sees to the 20-month-old’s daily needs like well-baby check-ups, daily care and the quality time and attention that a toddler needs to thrive.

Campbell works hard to balance his daughter’s needs with a third-shift full-time job at Kordsa Global in Laurel Hill and a part-time morning shift job at Nic’s Pic Kwik convenience store in Laurinburg, but he does it because he knows it’s important for him to be there for his daughter.

“I probably don’t get as much sleep as I should because I come home after I get off at Nic’s and spend a couple of hours with her, and then I lay down,” Campbell said. “When I’m off on the weekend, I take her to the park, go get something to eat or go do something together.”

Campbell has another person in his life who keeps him going and keeps him grounded, his own father James Campbell. The senior Campbell helps his son take care of little Malaysia when Malcolm is at work and by taking the baby for checkups when Malcolm can’t.

More than that Campbell’s father is “stand-up guy” and a source of emotional support.

“I give credit to my dad; he’s been great support. He gives me advice and encouragement to keep me going,” said Campbell who also turns to his spiritual father for support. “And I pray. I pray to grow as a father and as a man more every day; because I pray I don’t get as stressed out.”

The two fathers make sure to encourage Malaysia and see to it that she is well rounded even though she is not yet two years old.

Campbell tells his daughter every day that she is beautiful and smart and her grandfather teaches her manners reminding her to always say please and thank you.

Like many fathers, James Campbell also influenced his son with his example being a “strong father and role model,” as Campbell grew up in New Orleans.

Malcolm’s mother died of cancer when he was 11 years-old, and the elder Campbell took on the mantle of raising Malcolm and his sister. After Hurricane Katrina devastated the area, Campbell senior brought his family to his hometown of Laurinburg.

The best piece of parenting advice Campbell ever received from his father was not to focus on perfection.

“He said, ‘Being a single parent you’re not going to be perfect, so don’t strive for perfection just do the best you can do,” Campbell remembers his father telling him after he took custody of Malaysia.

Twenty-eight-year-old Malcolm Campbell is a single father raising his daughter Malaysia with the help of his own father James Campbell.
https://www.laurinburgexchange.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_Malaysia.jpgTwenty-eight-year-old Malcolm Campbell is a single father raising his daughter Malaysia with the help of his own father James Campbell.

Campbell was excited and worried about being a father, but all of his fears melted away when his baby girl was placed in his arms.
https://www.laurinburgexchange.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_Malcolm.jpgCampbell was excited and worried about being a father, but all of his fears melted away when his baby girl was placed in his arms.
Single dad loves parenting

By Beth Lawrence

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