You Are Not Alone

I hope that if you are reading this, you might be another mom like me, supporting, building up and encouraging your child to SHINE bright. Or maybe you are a best friend, other supporter or fan of someone you admire in this industry. If you are my friend, my family member, or you know me or my family to any capacity, or you are just reading this because, I hope after you are done reading this, you gain perspective on just how tough and lonely this journey seems at times.

The other night I read an encouraging post from the Christian Entertainment Guild that discussed some of the challenges in the entertainment industry, especially recently. They then described Asaph's journey in the bible from "me focused" to "Him focused" and the life-changing things that shaped the rest of that story. (Reference Psalm 77) It got me thinking about how I should shape the challenges I face as a parent of child in the entertainment industry.

I know it's meant well, but I am so frustrated by the constant negative comments that my family and friends say out of ignorance. "Well, what about the Weinstein Scandal?" "God forbid, someone body shames her, hasn't someone complained or mentioned her weight?" or the infamous, "Well just as long as she's still a kid!" For goodness sakes, I forgive each of you who have said this, or haven't, but please until you are here and you have navigated all those same very thoughts all by yourself, do you have any business judging whether or not I have considered these thoughts and more! Frankly, if you don't have anything nice to say, just don't say anything at all!

90% of the children Aniela and I follow on social media, their accounts are controlled by their moms. I know I am not alone. If the Lord's plan takes Aniela to Hollywood and I have the privilege to step down from managing to allow an organization to do that for us, I want to start a guild, of sorts, in which we moms in this industry can band together to encourage one another through these challenges.

I have already tried to reach out to moms who are doing this (on a bigger scheme) and they have been too busy or too popular to respond to my questions or support. I want to change that. Daily, I have to make decisions based off of the small amount of knowledge I have; I have already made so many mistakes. I wish I had other moms like me I could talk to about things like I have already experienced or am yet to experience.

So, perhaps you've found your way to this blog, not by mistake, nor because you know me, but because you too experience the regrets, mistakes, excitement, judgement, shame, or billion other emotions we as parents endure in this industry. Will you consider "contacting me" and sharing your story so I can share mine and we can encourage others to share theirs as well.