"Dear Dad, Mom’s Not Being Fair": Timi Dakolo Shares Hilarious Yet Poignant Note from Daughter Hallel

In a moment equal parts endearing and eye-opening, Nigerian soul singer Timi Dakolo took to Instagram to share a heartfelt and amusing message he received from his daughter, Hallel Dakolo. What began as a quiet family night turned into an emotional note filled with wit, sincerity, and a young girl’s earnest attempt to be understood in the midst of a classic parent-child misunderstanding.

The acclaimed musician posted the note with a caption that read, “Don’t fail to read. Very funny but interesting write up by @halleldakolo,” inviting followers into a personal corner of his household that most parents and children can relate to. And indeed, the message from young Hallel was not only funny in its honesty but also layered with wisdom well beyond her years.

In the note, Hallel delicately recounts a chain of events involving a minor dispute that blossomed into what she saw as an unfair treatment from her mother. It all started, according to her, when her sibling Alex expressed frustration at her decision to sleep in her father's room. Hallel maintained that she tried to keep calm but admitted, with accountability well beyond her age, that she used the word “irrelevant” during the exchange—something her father had warned her against before.

“I accept what I did was wrong,” she wrote, demonstrating both maturity and a clear understanding of boundaries. But what struck readers the most was her thoughtful articulation of the emotions that followed. She expressed deep confusion and a quiet frustration at what she described as her mother's "unfair behavior" towards her in the aftermath.

She elaborated on how she asked for permission to listen to a sermon by T.D. Jakes to help her sleep. “I really was having trouble sleeping,” she wrote. “I said the phone would be at her side and I will not have any contact with it. I only feel like listening to T.D. Jakes. I've been feeling weird lately and I need the word of God in the form I can understand.” Her request was denied.

What followed was an intricate balance of obedience and internal conflict, a theme familiar to many children growing up in structured homes. Despite staying calm and maintaining respect during the conversation, Hallel noted that her mother became more upset, particularly over her use of the phrase, “I’m confused.”

In a surprising turn that reveals the quiet complexities children notice in parental dynamics, Hallel reflected on how similar actions from her brother Alex often went unpunished or were overlooked. “There have been more situations when Alex has kept his phone overnight to watch football podcasts,” she wrote, “but me listening to T.D. Jakes is wrong?” That rhetorical question cuts with the precision only a child seeking fairness can muster, laying bare a perception of unequal expectations among siblings.

One of the most emotionally resonant lines in her message came when she wrote, “Every single action I take she is judging.” It's a raw, unfiltered glimpse into how even well-meaning parenting can sometimes feel stifling or biased to a sensitive child. That sentiment—delivered not in anger but in vulnerability—adds a layer of poignancy to what at first seemed like a routine family squabble.

“I know I shouldn’t, but she can be very biased towards me,” Hallel confessed, showing not just emotional intelligence but also an instinctive need to be heard—not just corrected. In a final bid for fairness, she asked her father to consider her side of the story, even if she was already prepared for him to “take her side,” referring to her mother. “I just wish you will hear mine instead of everyone assuming I'm wrong straight away,” she pleaded.

The letter ends with Hallel giving her dad permission to forward the note to her mom, “to see if I missed anything.” It’s a touching gesture of accountability, growth, and a desire to repair rather than simply complain—a subtle but powerful signal that Hallel isn’t looking to stir trouble but to bridge the emotional gap she feels at home.

The post sparked waves of reactions online, as fans, parents, and even fellow celebrities flooded the comment section with laughter, admiration, and more than a few shared experiences. Many parents applauded Timi for raising a child who could express herself so clearly and respectfully. Others commented on the perceptiveness and emotional insight Hallel showed, calling it both hilarious and profound.

Some readers noted that while the message was undoubtedly charming and at times humorous in its teenage earnestness, it also opened up important conversations about how children internalize parental behavior. The sense of perceived injustice, especially when it comes to rules and how they’re applied among siblings, is something nearly every family has wrestled with. Hallel’s letter didn’t just make people laugh—it made them think.

As Timi Dakolo's followers continue to digest the note, many have found themselves revisiting their own parenting styles, family conversations, and the way they respond when their children voice emotional discomfort. The mixture of humor and honesty served as a gentle reminder that children often see and feel far more than adults assume.

In the end, what makes Hallel’s note so impactful isn’t just the precocious writing or her careful navigation of a delicate family issue. It’s the raw desire for fairness, love, and understanding—a desire that transcends age and cuts across every culture. In just a few paragraphs, she managed to make thousands reflect on the simple power of being heard.

And in sharing it, Timi Dakolo did more than just let the world in on a private family moment—he opened a wider dialogue about empathy, parenting, and the small but significant ways children seek connection even in conflict. Whether you're a parent, a sibling, or someone who remembers what it was like to be that kid once, Hallel's message is a beautifully written reminder: sometimes all it takes to understand someone is to stop assuming, and start listening.