60-year-old mum to raise newborn alone after husband leaves due to baby's cries
A 60-year-old woman has become a single mother after years of trying to conceive, when her husband left because he couldn't handle the infant's cries causing him to lose sleep.
Serbian woman Atifa Ljajic became the country’s second oldest woman to give birth when baby Alina was born on June 20, in the capital of Belgrade.
The woman became pregnant through IVF in her fifth attempt, fulfilling her lifelong wish to be a mother.
“I knew it would be a big risk in my age, but my only wish in life was to have a child, and it has come true,” she told local press.
The new mother described the day Alina was born as the “happiest day of my lie” and said the moment she first held the infant in her arms, she was “a happier woman”.
“I finally, after so much trouble and effort, became what I wanted all my life – a mother.”
Despite being the cousin of Rasim Ljajic, the Minister of Trade and Deputy Prime Minister of Serbia, Ms Ljajic said she was poor and had no support, but would fight to bring Alina up on “the right path”.
“I worked in a textile plant Raska and yet I have no money, I do not have any other income, nor relatives who might help me.
“I know it will not be easy, because I will have to look for some better accommodation, and it all costs a lot. Nevertheless, I believe that will be good people who will help me.”
Husband of 10 years Sheriff Nokić, 68, reportedly refused to acknowledge his new daughter, even though he initially supported his wife through her pregnancy.
"I opposed it because the risk is great, but I relented, seeing her great courage," Mr Nokić said in an earlier report ahead of the birth.
The new dad did not want baby Alina to be legally registered as his child and said he would likely leaving the pair and move to Turkey, where he had other family, according to local reports.
He blamed his exit on poor health, saying raising a newborn would put too much strain on him at such an age.
“I am sick man, I have 68 years, sugar and a weak heart, it is not easy all night to not sleep and listen to your baby's cries.”
“It was hard for me… I have no pension.”
He said he wished well for his wife and Alina and would try to help them form where ever he was.
