Business Fit Magazine Special Editions Mother & Daughter Special Edition | Page 32

them on social media. We have talked a lot to
Rhyan about this and about being careful about
what she posts and what she exposes herself to
online.
How does your spirituality help
you with motherhood?
Raquel & her husband,
Prime Minister Allen Chastanet
Prime Minister & First Lady of St. Lucia
with USA President Donald Trump & First Lady Melania Trump
she got in the taxi and when she arrived back at
school. Allen laughed at me the whole time and
totally took her side lobbying for her to have a
little more independence. Thank God she made
it back okay – and from all accounts, the concert
was perfectly safe - but I was worried the whole
night.
What is your message to
other mothers with teenage
daughters?
Count to ten before you respond. And find a good
yoga class. No, in all seriousness, communication
is obviously the most critical thing. Rhyan is only
fifteen with a long way to go before we can say
we have reached the end of the production line,
so I don’t think I’m necessarily qualified to advise
anyone on parenting, but I try to remind myself
how I felt when I was fifteen and, even though the
world has surely changed, teenage hormones
and the agitation for independence haven’t.
I think that you try to provide a stable and loving
home environment, give opportunities to your
children to allow them to grow and blossom
and whilst you may differ in opinions on things,
always let them know that you will be there for
them and love them no matter what.
I am not always a perfect mother and Rhyan
teases me a lot about many of my parental
shortcomings – and I admit that I have many,
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patience being one of them - but she knows that
my love for her is unconditional and absolute and
I only want her to be happy. One of the things
Allen and I tell her often is that all we want for her
in terms of her career, is to find something that
she is passionate about and to dedicate herself
to it. Other than that, we have set no limitations
or goals for her.
How do you think things have
changed since you were a
teenager?
Let me see if I can remember that far back!
The most obvious change is social media and
technology. For students these days academic
life is definitely easier and all information is a click
away. I remember doing research using the old
Encyclopedia Brittanica and the Central Library in
our main city and it used to take days to gather
information for a project or presentation.
On the other hand, the bullying which takes
place now on social media platforms to abuse,
embarrass and insult other kids is terrifying and
sad. These anonymous sites and platforms allow
people to terrorize kids who, in the teen years
are often at their most vulnerable. Kids who are
not strong or who are taking some time to come
into their own, can have their whole lives ruined
by a post or a photograph. Look how many
children have committed suicide as a direct
result of someone posting something about
I am a type A personality and a bit of a control
freak, so spirituality has come into my life at a
good time. I have definitely come to the place
where I can “Let go and let God”. I have learned to
trust a lot and learned that once I have imbued
Rhyan with the morals and values that are
important to Allen and I and equipped her with
the “survival tools” she needs, I do have to let her
go to do her thing.
There was a tendency when she first left for
school to want to know what she was doing
every minute of the day and to be calling her five
times a day. Now I understand that may have
been counterproductive to us both. I trust that
she is in God’s hands, that I have done all that I
can to help prepare her for the teen years and
for eventual adulthood and I genuinely trust her
judgment. The rest, as they say is up to God. Just
accepting that was a big step for me and allows
me to be a bit more relaxed in dealing with the
travails of motherhood.
What would you like to say about
your daughter?
I feel blessed every day that I get to be her mother.
She is a definite mix of Allen and I and I can’t wait
to see her come into her own. I love her so much
and miss her like crazy and am incredibly proud
of her and the person she is becoming.
The teenage years are difficult for most girls
and I have no doubt she will face the intrinsic
challenges that go along with that, but she has
all the tools to overcome whatever she faces and
to be successful in life and an irrepressible spirit
of determination. Anyone who is her friend or
relative will tell you how loving and loyal she is
and her family is her bedrock.
Tell us about St Lucia
I don’t want to sound like a travel ad, but to all the
mothers and daughters who are readers of your
magazine, you absolutely must visit our beautiful
island.
Saint Lucia is like no other – not only in terms
of its stunning beauty but our people are the
most hospitable in the world. There are lots of
incredible outdoor experiences which provide
perfect mother-daughter bonding moments,
world-class spas, world-famous mud-baths
which make your skin feel incredible and culinary
treats island-wide. Our island is a magical place
and an unforgettable experience for a mother
and daughter looking for the perfect getaway.
Rhyan Ashley Chastanet
Who are you?
She will make us My name is Rhyan Ashley Chastanet. I live in St.
Lucia but I currently attend boarding school in
Canada. I am very fortunate to have a very close
relationship not only with my immediate family
but my grandparents, aunts and uncle and
cousins as well. I love hanging out with my close
girlfriends, going to the movies, going shopping
in the mall, and spending lazy days at the beach.
proud whatever What’s important to you?
she does
Something that is very important to me is giving
back to others. I think it is important to appreciate
what you have in life, and use your privileges to
help others. I often get involved with charity work
including my Grandmother Jane’s charity group
which financially supports underprivileged kids
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