Actress Kym Whitley on parenting, her docu-series and her new book for moms
With new episodes of her docu-series, Raising Whitley, back on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, Kym Whitley took time to chat with Celebrity Baby Scoop about her show, son and New Year’s resolution.
The actress and mom to Joshua, 3, says motherhood is central to Raising Whitley.
“Before the show played like a sitcom, because the 30 minutes were mostly all fun, and now we have the chance to really dive into my life as a mom. It’s an expansion of that,” she tells the website.
In the show, we meet Whitley’s “Village,” a group of friends who help out in parenting matters. We also learn about her son’s food allergies.
“I made a T-shirt that features the child’s name and checks off all of the allergies he or she may have, and you can also write them in,” she tells Celebrity Baby Scoop. “That gave me peace of mind when I sent my son to baby daycare or when he went out with friends to a birthday party. I also made a medicine bag where you can check off the child’s name and check off what he is allergic to, so that the caretaker always knows what he is allergic to and has the necessary medicine.”
Whitley says being a mom has led her on a new “path of discovery.”
“I would have never had that if I hadn’t become a mother,” she tells the website. “It has made me look at life differently. The reward is that instead of a barometer, I now have a meter of what is important in life, because I put him first before I make a decision.
There are definitely challenges. For example, trying to work creates challenges and you wonder about a lot of things. Where does he go to school when you’ve never been a parent? I probably wouldn’t get him into kindergarten until he is nine if I didn’t have the help, because I have no idea [laughs].”
Whitley tells Celebrity Baby Scoop she is working on a funny book to help moms.
“It is a funny take on motherhood,” she says. “I think I have a different perspective than a lot of mothers. I am open and honest, and sometimes things are ridiculous. I want the book to be where the readers can see themselves and not be so serious about it. I wanted to do a funny take on that and show mothers how to get that 15 minute nap. For example, inviting your girlfriends over and telling them you have a new recipe you want to show them, then you lock the door of your bedroom and go to sleep [laughs].”
As for kicking off 2014, Whitley says she wants to offer women more compliments and encouragement.
“Sometimes women ultimately judge and look down on one another and will say something, but we very seldom say something nice to a stranger,” she tells the website. “‘Beautiful dress! Love your hair!’ That is what I want to do this year.”
Head to Celebrity Baby Scoop to read the entire interview.
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