Miracle Watts' Public Postpartum Woes Is Why Choosing The Right Partner Is Key For Your Mental Health
When it comes to the love story of Tyler Lepley and Miracle Watts, it all started on the set of P-Valley when two costars decided to take a chance on questionable love. Each was in their own relationship (or situationship) at the time, with her being a former IG model-turned-influencer and actress, and he, an actor on two hit TV shows, one being P-Valley, which they each were filming at the time that they met. The pair began dating quietly, and ultimately decided to make their relationship Instagram official in October 2021 when Watts posted a photo of them captioned "6.14.21 🖤"
Since, the two have taken the internet by its Black love reigns, walking the red carpet together for Amazon Prime's New York premiere of Harlem, in which Lepley stars alongside our faves Meagan Good, Grace Byers, Shoniqua Shandai, and Jerrie Johnson. They also welcomed a son in October 2022, Xi Lei Lepley, who he added to his brood of kids with his ex-fiancée, Leo and Jade. Through it all, the couple has pulled at the heartstrings of the culture as they openly show off their admiration for each other.
In fact, that admiration is the perfect example of why it is essential for us to seek a best friend in a partner.
Case in point, Miracle may be in a committed relationship with Lepley, one of the finest men walking this earth, a heartthrob of our generation, and she may be one of the finest women walking this earth desired by some of the most high-profile men in the industry (Drake has shouted her out in songs) -- but even she also has her off-days where she feels a little self-conscious as she adjusts to the postpartum changes of her body.
After noticing that Watts wasn't feeling her best, in a video posted to Instagram, Lepley deems the day "Wifey Appreciation Day," and he speaks life into her as his crying bae visibly struggles with such a common issue amongst women after giving birth.
"Fat where? Hold the fuck up, okay, first of all, today is 'wifey appreciation day,'" he says to a crying Watts. "We're talking about the most beautiful girl in the world," he continues.
His camera was on her as he was showing her off to the world. Tyler literally put our girl on a pedestal and appreciated her as she stood on it. And that's what we love to see, we wish that kind of affirmation from bae for every woman.
Even better, this hasn't been the first time that Lepley has poured into her through his teammate's lens.
He washed and greased her scalp and hair like a pro:
He even dusted the ends, y'all!
He has given her the space to enjoy her first born:
"Thanks everyone, I was so skeptical about Sharing. The positive comments made me feel warm and happy. Thank you all 🖤," she commented.
He regularly pampers her, ensuring she is living her best soft life:
And he makes sure that they enjoy it together too.
He welcomes the shenanigans of her being herself:
Lepley may appear mild-mannered, but he is with the smoke when it comes to his boo. Watts acknowledged just how much in a birthday shout-out on IG, which featured a thread of photos and videos of the couples having a good time enjoying each other (including photos of matching his and her name tattoos).
She frequently returns the love with a heartfelt caption:
"Happy Birthday To The LOML ❤️ I've waited so long for a love like this, I thank God every day for not letting me give up. Thank you for loving me unconditionally, allowing me to be me, & loving me through all of our battles (cause chile we are far from perfect). Thank you for showing me chivalry and courting isn’t dead. Real Love Still Exists, I Love You!!!!"
And most of all, he tells everyone who will listen where he stands:
@r29unbothered Tyler “I needs dat expeditiously” Lepley on how it feels to be loved by a Black woman 🥹 #harlem #harlemonprime #tylerlepley #blacklove
When asked how it feels to be loved by a Black woman, he responded in the best way, ending with "Shout out to my baby, Miracle, I love you baby."
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Miracle and Tyler are currently busy raising their family and learning and working through the new dynamics of their relationship, which we all know can be difficult with a newborn. But seeing a Black woman being loved openly, passionately, and thoroughly, will always be the content we love to see.
Miracle, you look great, girl! Get it mama!
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Featured image by Gotham/GC Images
Charmin Michelle is a southern native and creative spirit who works as a content marketer and events manager in Chicago. She enjoys traveling, #SummertimeChi, and the journey of mastering womanhood. Connect with her on Instagram @charminmichelle.
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.
Momo Productions/Getty
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