Tia Mowry Is Pregnant With Her Second Child After Battling Endometriosis
Congratulations are in order for Tia Mowry-Hardrict and her husband Cory Hardrict who are expecting their second child. The couple revealed the pregnancy via Instagram with an adorable photo that includes the couples's 6-year-old son Cree. But The Game star's journey to both pregnancies has been a bit more complicated.
Just a year ago, while at the BET Awards, when asked if she would be adding to her family, she revealed: “I do suffer from endometriosis. So there's a little bit of a challenge there, but I will say this: I am working on my diet. [..]I want to just clean myself out and get rid of inflammation in my body."
In 2006, Tia was diagnosed with endometriosis after she began experiencing extreme pain and complications. Endometriosis occurs when the layer of tissue that usually lines the inside of the uterus begins to grow outside of it. The condition presents itself with severe pelvic pain, heavy periods, and for up to half of women, fertility issues. To address the problem, many women undergo laparoscopic surgery and treat symptoms with a variety of pain killers.
After a second surgery, the 37-year-old actress wasn't seeing the results she so desperately needed, so her doctor suggested that she “clean up her diet." One reason that endometriosis is so difficult to treat is because it is has ties to inflammation. According to several doctors, a cleaner diet that eliminates food that can cause inflammation may help to alleviate many of the symptoms.
The process of giving up her favorite foods—one of which was her signature deep-fried cheese tortellini dish—included eliminating dairy, processed meats, packaged snacks, and refined sugar. Her new diet now includes more leafy greens, fruits, nuts and seeds, fermented foods, and high-quality protein. The change in diet drastically reduced her pain with some added benefits: her migraines went away and her skin cleared up. Can we say win-win!
Tia's success in battling her diagnosis and having a successful pregnancy inspired her to write the book Whole New You earlier this year. She penned the book to help other women with the same experiences change the way they think about food and help them on their journey to a healthier lifestyle.
It looks like she's taken her own advice, and it has actually paid off! With another bundle of joy on the way, her combination of therapies seem to have done the trick. There is nothing like hearing that little heartbeat for the first time, so I'm sure this time around was an extra-special treat for the couple. But Tia is careful to point out that this is what worked for her, and it might not be a one-size-fits-all solution.
She has said in the past that “Although I've had my own powerful healing experience, that does not give me the expertise or credentials to offer specific healing advice to anyone with a serious condition." A healthier and more balanced lifestyle in addition to a combination of therapies, surgery, physical therapy and pain management are some of the ways women can start to see relief from this painful condition.
Thank you for sharing your story, Tia. We're hoping that Cree has a little Sister, Sister on the way (corny pun intended)!
Michelle Schmitz is a writer and editor based in Washington, DC originally from Ft Lauderdale, FL. A self-described ambivert, you can find her figuring out ways to read more than her monthly limit of The New York Times, attending concerts, and being a badass, multi-tasking supermom. She also runs her own blog MichelleSasha.com. Keep up with her latest moves on IG: @michellesashawrites and Twitter: @michellesashas
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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When discussing the topic of raising children, discipline is often the first thing that comes to mind. Children need discipline. Full stop. But what is discipline? And how do we draw the line between discipline and revenge?
The origin of the word "discipline" can be traced back to the Latin word "disciplina," which means "instruction" or "teaching." Over time, however, discipline has come to be synonymous with punishment, with parents relying on shame, fear, and/or physical pain to curb undesirable behavior.
Teaching takes time, so nipping it in the bud in whatever fashion parents deem necessary (within reason) has become the norm. But is this what’s best for children? And when does it become less about curbing undesirable behavior and more about getting our licks back for offenses we feel our children should know better to do?
In my work as a parenting coach, I’ve often heard parents say, “I asked him nicely three times before spanking him. He didn’t stop doing it until I did, so clearly talking doesn’t work.”
And the parent isn’t wrong. Talking often doesn’t work the first, the third, or the even the 10th time. And the reason is directly tied to brain development.
Children cannot and do not process information the way an adult can. Auditory processing is not fully developed until a child is 14 or 15 years old. And even then, if a child has auditory processing delays or Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), they may always struggle with processing auditory commands. According to Susie S. Loraine, MA, CCC-SLP, the term auditory processing refers to how the brain perceives and interprets sound information. Several skills determine auditory processing ability—or listening success. They develop in a general four-step hierarchy, but all work together and are essential for daily listening.
Without this understanding, discipline can easily become revenge because parents will then view their child’s misdeeds as a personal slight. Instead of teaching them to do better, parents now want to show them the consequences of not doing better. This is why it's imperative for parents to discern between discipline and revenge to maintain healthy relationships with their children.
5 WAYS TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND RETALIATION:
Understanding The Intent
Discipline is rooted in love and concern for the child's well-being. It focuses on teaching lessons and helping children understand the consequences of their actions. Conversely, revenge-driven actions stem from a desire to inflict pain or punishment as payback for perceived slights or disobedience. Parents should reflect on their motives before taking disciplinary actions. Ask yourself whether your intention is to help your child learn or to make them suffer for upsetting you.
Example: If a child accidentally breaks a valuable item, a disciplinary response would involve discussing the importance of being careful and working with the child to come up with a way to replace or fix what they’ve broken. On the other hand, a vengeful reaction might involve yelling, harsh punishment, or bringing up past mistakes to intensify guilt.
Maintaining Emotional Regulation
Effective discipline requires parents to remain calm and composed, even in challenging situations. It's natural to feel upset or frustrated when children misbehave, but responding with anger or resentment can escalate the situation and blur the line between discipline and revenge. Before addressing the issue, take a moment to breathe and collect your thoughts.
Example: If a child cannot follow instructions, a disciplined response would involve calmly explaining why their cooperation is necessary in working with the child to accomplish the goal. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve shouting, name-calling, or resorting to physical punishment out of anger.
Promoting Growth and Learning
Discipline should always aim to promote growth and learning. It involves guiding children toward making better choices and understanding the impact of their actions on themselves and others. Effective discipline strategies include positive reinforcement, setting clear expectations, and providing opportunities for reflection and growth.
Example: If a child repeatedly forgets to complete their chores, a disciplinary approach would involve discussing the importance of responsibility and finding solutions together, such as creating a chore chart or setting reminders with Siri or Alexa. In contrast, a revenge-driven response might involve imposing overly harsh punishments or belittling the child, which can undermine their self-esteem and hinder their ability to learn from their mistakes.
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Building Trust and Communication
Trust and open communication are essential components of a healthy parent-child relationship. Discipline should strengthen this bond by fostering trust and encouraging children to confide in their parents without fear of judgment or retaliation. When children feel safe and supported, they're more likely to accept discipline as a form of guidance rather than punishment.
Example: If a child admits to breaking a rule or making a mistake, a disciplined response would involve listening to their perspective, discussing the consequences of their actions, and working together to find a solution. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve accusations, blame, or shutting down communication, which can erode trust and damage the parent-child relationship.
Seeking Professional Guidance
Parenting is a learning journey, and, disciplining children is a delicate balance between guiding them toward responsible behavior and nurturing their growth. By understanding the intent behind our actions, maintaining emotional regulation, promoting growth and learning, building trust and communication, and seeking professional guidance when needed, as parents we can help our children built on love, respect, and understanding.
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Featured image by Courtney Hale/Getty Images