Opening Up
Jada opened up on an episode of her online chat show called Red Table Talk. In this episode, she was discussing a particular exchange she had shared with Jaden, and she freely explained that she was devastated by Jaden’s words.
Opening Up
Heartbreaking
What Jaden disclosed to Jada was genuinely seen as one of the most heartbreaking moments to ever occur in Jada’s life. The mother stated that you could understand where her son’s decision was coming from, but it didn’t make the news any easier.
Heartbreaking
So Close
The mere fact that Jaden and Jada are so close didn’t make the moment any less shocking. When looking at the family’s social media presence and interviews, it’s clear that the son and mother share a special connection that the world can see.
So Close
In Front of the Camera
Although many mothers and sons wouldn’t think about revealing their deepest secrets and truths on camera for the world to view, Jaden and Jada seemed comfortable doing this in front of a camera. That’s the beauty of Red Table Talk.
In Front Of The Camera
The Show
The concept of Red Table Talk is that no subject is off-limits. Jada, along with her daughter and mother, shares some incredibly personal stories that are shared with the world. This is the reason behind the show earning more than 275 million views and a Daytime Emmy nomination.
The Show
Jaden’s Presence
Jaden has a regular presence on his mother’s show. From seeing him with his family, it’s evident that he feels extremely close to his loved ones making up the show. He had even brought his family up on stage when he was performing at festivals.
Jaden’s Presence
Still Tensions
There are still tensions between the son and mother. However, this isn’t because Jada has been an overly-strict parent. She, along with Will, have worked hard to be a supportive structure for Willow and Jaden and encouraged them to follow their passions.
Still Tensions
Not Strangers
Will and Jada aren’t strangers to parenting. The couple tied the knot in 1997 and have since had two children together. Not to mention, Will also has an older son from his first marriage with Sheree Zampino who is named Trey. The pair are definitely experienced when it comes to parenting.
Not Strangers
Non-Traditional Parenting
As the years have gone on, Jada and Will have become infamous for their unconventional approach to parenting. The famous celebrity couple has been incredibly public and relaxed with their views on disciplining their children. Will has gone on to explain that the couple “don’t do punishments.”
Non Traditional Parenting
Will’s Thoughts
Will has shared his ideas on parenting and has said that the way the couple deal with their kids is done in a unique way that shows the children how they are responsible for their own lives. Not to mention, they also believe that punishment has too many negative qualities.
Will’s Thoughts
Encouraging
In addition to this, Will and Jada also encourage their children to be as open and honest with them as possible. One of the ways that this was achieved was through the creation of a ‘circle of safety,’ which encouraged the family to have honest conversations.
Encouraging
The Circle of Safety
In the ‘circle of safety,’ the kids are allowed to tell everything that they did and don’t get into trouble for it. However, if the family finds out after the ‘circle of safety’ that you didn’t mention something, this is where you can get into trouble.
The Circle Of Safety
Good in Theory
This concept definitely sounds like an excellent idea in theory. However, as the children grew up, there were some details that the parents wish they didn’t know. Once Willow became a teenager, Will struggled to comprehend her admissions fully.
Good In Theory
What Will Didn’t Want
When Will was featured on On the Tonight Show, he explained that a circle of safety wasn’t the best idea when Willow turned 15 years old. Eventually, the father couldn’t take anymore and suggested his daughter talk about specific topics alone.
What Will Didn’t Want
What Willow Revealed
The entire family isn’t shy about opening up to the world. Willow has revealed that her during her younger years she had a strained relationship with Will. During an episode of Red Table Talk, Willow confessed that it took her years to trust her dad.
What Willow Revealed
Pressure
Willow explained that Jada and Will played a role in placing their daughter under pressure from a young age. However, Willow has admitted that more of this pressure came from Will. This was because he was too harsh at specific times.
Pressure
Willow’s Career
Willow didn’t go into further detail on this topic. However, she did state that she didn’t want her career to continue in the same way that it first started. It took a couple of years for her to try and regain trust.
Willow’s Career
Encouraging Self-Expression
Will isn’t shocked by his children’s openness, as he and Jada have always encouraged their kids to self-express. This could be the reason that Jaden and Willow’s unique styles are so prevalent in the public eye. The parents have always supported their children’s decisions.
Encouraging Self Expression
Blurring the Lines
An example of this unconditional support is when Jaden blurred the lines when he began wearing convention-defying garments. In fact, it seemed as though the parents couldn’t be prouder about Jaden’s radical fashion approach.
Blurring The Lines
Scary
Will has stated that Jaden has the nature to do absolutely anything. For any parent, this is a scary revelation. However, Jaden is satisfied to live and die by all of his artistic decisions, and he doesn’t care about what others think.
Scary
No Matter What
No matter what Jaden’s choices lead him to, it’s evident that his parents are always going to support him in what he does. However, the parents did believe it was necessary to step in and offer some guidance when their son became vegan.
No Matter What
An Intervention
Jada revealed on Red Table Talk that Will and she had to have an intervention with Jaden because the parents realized that he wasn’t getting enough protein. After becoming vegan, he started appearing drained and depleted of nutrients, which was concerning.
An Intervention
Healthy Eating
While filming an episode of Red Table Talk, Will was featured to discuss healthy eating. This was to address Jaden’s lack of nutrients. On the show, Will revealed that his son’s skin had a little greyness to it, which made them nervous.
Healthy Eating
Jaden’s Decision
Due to his parents’ intervention, Jaden decided that he would abandon his vegan diet for a vegetarian one. He refused to eat any meat, but he did introduce other animal products like eggs and cheese into his diet. This turned his health around for the better.
Jaden’s Decision
Facing Backlash
Will and Jada had also backed their daughter when she faced backlash for her decisions. An example of this was when Willow shaved her hair in 2012. At this time, it was the parents who were placed in the firing line of public outrage.
Facing Backlash
Standing Up
At this point in time, the Smiths didn’t let these opinions get to them, nor did they remain silent. Jada took to Facebook to remind the public that all women have the right to change their appearance without having to face any judgment.
Standing Up
The World
Jada continued by stating that the public has created a world where women and girls are reminded that they don’t belong to themselves. This was evident in the way that people were taking ownership of Willow and criticizing her choice to shave her own hair.
The World
Commanding Her Own Body
Will has shown that he shares the same opinion as to his wife. He told Parade in 2013 that it’s essential to teach your daughters that they have control over their own bodies. These teaching are necessary for any woman who wants to live an independent life.
Commanding Her Own Body
Challenging Moments
Although the parents have always strived to make sure their children felt encouraged and supported, these parenting ideas have led to some challenging moments. Jada has spoken about many of these moments on her show, Red Table Talk, for the world to hear.
Challenging Moments
Candid about Parenting
During one of the show’s episodes in 2018, Jada turned the topic to her household and got remarkably candid about her parenting. She invited her children in order to give a balanced perspective on her maternal ideals. This was when the conversation between mother and son became quite profound.
Candid About Parenting
Growing Up Smith
The episode starts with Jada and her mother, Adrienne, waiting for the arrival of Willow and Jaden, who are running behind schedule. Jada excuses this tardiness by stating that the children are working and have rehearsals. The entire episode was dedicated to knowing what it’s like growing up in one of America’s most famous families.
Growing Up Smith
Introducing Jaden
Jada starts by introducing Jaden, who is her firstborn. She states that he’s an actor, musician, and entrepreneur. He has his own record label, clothing line, and a sustainably-sourced spring water company. She states that he’s the most caring and gentle creature.
Introducing Jaden
The Pain They Have Caused
Although Jada has expressed how proud she is of her children’s successes as individuals and artists, she has also opened up about the pain that her children have caused her as a mother. She continues by explaining how Jaden was the cause of one of the most heartbreaking moments of her life.
The Pain They Have Caused
Adrienne’s Role
Adrienne is the person who gets the emotional conversation flowing by discussing how different Jada’s upbringing was to Willow and Jaden’s. She stated that she didn’t give her children a lot of choices, which only makes Willow and Jaden laugh.
Adrienne’s Role
Too Much Freedom
Adrienne goes on to explain that she believed her grandchildren have too much freedom. She stated that it was ridiculous for an eight-year-old to be telling her what time he wanted to go to bed. At the time, she believed the entire situation to be ludicrous.
Too Much Freedom
Parenting for Life
For Jada, she defended her and Will’s parenting style by stating that they were parenting their children for life. She didn’t want to make decisions for her children. She tried to prepare them as quickly as possible to give them power over their own lives.
Parenting For Life
Quicker than Expected
It seemed as though Jada had prepared her son with the tools he needed quicker than she had expected. During the episode, Jada revealed how Jaden came to her at the age of 15 and requested to live more independently.
Quicker Than Expected
Moving Out
Jada revealed how Jaden came to her and asked if he could move out of the family’s home. Jaden had stated that he needed to move out in order to live his life. This event was recalled in the episode, and Jada revealed the heartbreaking she felt.
Moving Out
Time for Him to Leave
At that time, Jada understood that she needed to come to the realization that her son was ready to leave the house. He was only 15 years old, and not everyone agreed with the parents’ decision. Adrienne stated that she would never have done that.
Time For Him To Leave
Needed to be Done
However, Jada explained that she had always knew that Jaden would grow up very fast. When he was younger, Jada and Will often thought that he wouldn’t be in the house by 16 years old. This was because he was mature and managed his own life but that didn’t mean it was any less heartbreaking for the mother. Luckily, they are all quite open and close with one another now.
Needed To Be Done