The multi-talented singer/actress Jennifer Hudson talked to PEOPLE recently about the joys and struggles of parenting.
For those who don’t know, she has a 15-year-old son named David. During the chit-chat, she talked about how rewarding it is to see him come into his own.
She’s trying to build confidence in him by giving him more independence…
On the first day of school, I was like, ‘You can go to the gym. I don’t have to drive you. You can ride your bike to the gym.’ He’s like, ‘That’s a great idea.’ He put his little backpack on and he had his basketball. You’ve got to be responsible. You have to communicate. You have to be at home by a certain time. The more you do that and cruise your stuff in that way, the more freedom you’ll get.
Much to Hudson’s delight, he followed all the rules! He did everything she asked of him. Safe to say, she was one proud mama.
Even though there were times she wanted to step in and help him, she knows how important it is for him to build that independence…
We can’t always hold their hand. At some point, we have to stop and trust our teaching as parents and know when to give them space to go. So, seeing him do that. But the challenging part of it is also letting go. So, allowing that, as a parent and mom. We all know that’s hard to do, and it’s like… we got to let them have that space.
So not only is Jennifer Hudson a great actress and singer… she’s also an outstanding parent!
