Motherhood has matured Daniella Monet and she's not shy about admitting to it. The girl fans have watched grow into a woman since her early days of Nickelodeon went in-depth about her new turn in life.
The 31 year old singer and actress has spent the last year with her baby boy, Gio James, and now is expecting a baby girl in early 2021. It's all a new chapter for Monet, who has been entertaining audiences since 2004 on the CBS sitcom, Listen Up! It's a chapter that suits her, as well. Alongside her fiancé Andrew Gardner, Daniella has taken notice of the changes happening from within and told Mini Magazine all about it for their upcoming issue.
"I used to be passive and less opinionated. I struggled with standing up for myself when I should have," she confessed. "Becoming a mother has helped me to have more respect for myself in business, and in my personal relationships — an absolutely priceless tool that I know will take me far as an individual and more importantly, as a parent."
Monet is not alone in this experience. The changes that take place in a mother's body and brain following childbirth is unlike any other in her life, including puberty. Studies have been done about it. In 2002, scientists determined that parts of a woman's brain shrink during pregnancy and then expand after the birth. It all adds up to a different perspective and fresh outlook for doting moms like Daniella.
It's not just motherhood, but also the fact that she's raising a son that has led Monet into a different way of thinking. In her words, it's important that Gio can grow up "seeing a strong and independent mother." That is a role she is trying to fill and one that many agree she is definitely doing well.
"This way, respect and gender equality are traits that are instilled in his character from an early age," explained Monet.
While one of her early parts was the voice of Tootie on The Fairly Oddparents, Daniella is striving to be less odd and more of a mother who instills values for her kids. The pride she shows can be felt through her social media, which is overflowing with adoring pictures of her son. Now, she has space reserved for her upcoming baby girl and it's already begun with a photo of a pregnancy test along side the excited caption, "Best 9 year anniversary gift ever."
Monet's focus has never been clearer and her priorities have never been straighter. She's ready for what comes next and, as she herself explains, the way she is thinking now and organizing her time differs greatly from where she was before she started her family. It's a special place in time that she know she wants to be.
"It was so easy to waste time before becoming a mom. Now I realize just how precious every minute of the day is."
Sources: People, New York Times, Mini Magazine