“At a young age, it's weird to see your mom crying. And then she says, ‘Oh no, baby, these are happy tears.’” In this vulnerable conversation, my mom and I open up about something most people avoid: what really happens when parents stay in a relationship “for the kids,” and how divorce reshapes the family dynamic. I share the moment I realized my mom stayed longer than she should have, just so we could grow up with two parents. And she opens up about the heartbreak, the healing, and the hard truth about trying to find love again in her 40s while raising kids who weren’t ready to see her with anyone but our dad. This episode is a love letter to every woman who gave up parts of herself to hold a home together… and a reminder that moms are humans, too. If you’ve ever looked at your parents and thought “I wish I understood them better…” this one’s for you. KEY POINTS:  - How childhood wounds shape the woman you become - Why being a problem-solver became Monique’s survival skill - How she raised each of her kids differently on purpose - The unspoken sacrifices that live inside the mother-daughter bond - What it really took to survive as a single mom, financially and emotionally - Dating after divorce: The uncomfortable truths no one prepares you for - On choosing self-love and gratitude when the world expects you to break - Her most annoying habits (according to me), go-to advice, and secret superpower - Grace over perfection: Monique’s message to every young woman starting out QUOTES:  “You taught me that I matter to you through your behaviors, through the way you celebrate me.” "Everything for me is about my wellness and holistic perspective. I have to pour into myself so I can show up for all the other aspects of my life." "I've always given you all the room to make your own decisions within reason, right? And a lot of parents don't do that.”  “I tell everybody [that] they deserve a daughter — because you showed me that I matter and I thank you for that.” ✨ Need a Reign Check? ✨ Subscribe now so you never miss a new episode! 📲 Follow Reign on Instagram @reignmosley_  🎙️ Produced by EPYC Media Network — If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to rate, review, and share it with a friend!