My son came home from school one afternoon and asked me this... “Mummy, when will we have money like other families?” I stood there holding his schoolbag, struggling to find an answer. That day, his school had organised a cultural celebration. Other children brought snacks, drinks and money to buy things. My son went with nothing because I couldn't afford to give him extra money. When I picked him up, I could tell something was wrong. I asked him what happened, and he said, “Mummy, everybody had something except me.” I apologised, but he quickly hugged me. “It's okay, Mummy. I told them you would have bought me something if you had money.” I smiled so he wouldn't notice my tears. But the moment he turned away, my heart broke. My little boy was already defending me against a world he was too young to understand.