American actress Tia Mowry-Hardrict shares her views on how being friends with kids can, at times, backfire.
The mother of two - who shares daughter Cairo, 15 months, and son Cree, 8, with her husband- is a fun-loving person. She enjoys spending time with her kids, sharing small joys with them, and also being their best friend. But, she also recently admitted her concerns to People, in an exclusive interview, “That would probably be my worst quality, as well!" she explained.
She feels her kids “run all over" her because she doesn't draw a strict line and they think being more like a friend with their mom means they can take her for a ride. The former Sister star, however, feels that it is necessary to be friends with kids so that they can share everything with her, just the way they do with their best friends. She continues, “You tell your best friend everything. And I want to be that for my children, but sometimes I have to realize that maybe that’s not a realistic goal.”
The Mowry sister finds a conflict in her own interest and senses her friendly nature is the primary hindrance in disciplining the kids. Since they consider her to be her friends, discipline and structure, which are “also important when you’re raising a child,” at times, become really challenging.
The 41-year-old busy mom has always taken a contemporary approach towards her kids. She discusses social issues such as racism and integrity with her kids, and she feels they should know about their culture and history. Hiding facts do not change them, so the best way to face them is by being aware of them.
Family Reunion star has never hesitated from speaking out her piece of mind about social discrimination and how women still face specific questions which men never have to. In an interview with Netflix earlier this year, she said, “I don’t feel like men get asked that question about how do you balance life. I feel like society just puts these standards on women that we have to do everything. We have to cook, we have to clean, we have to be a mom.” She also know she's lucky to have a partner like Cory Hardrict, who not only "babysits" their kids but takes care of them the way a doting father should.
Now that she is planning to bring a change in her parenting style, she knows it’s not going to be easy. But, she recalls the most important lesson that her parents taught her and sister (aka. her twin sister Tamera Mowry-Housley) and wants to abide by it - “stay true to who you are.” She believes in being authentic and true to oneself and is determined to pass on the same values to her kids, too.