Parent Child Dynamic
DZ: Please share with young mothers the importance of being a parent and not their friend. At what point do you believe that the friendship element of mother and daughter relationships can be healthy?
EB: In the early years, it’ s crucial to establish the parentchild dynamic to provide structure and guidance. As children mature into adulthood, the relationship can evolve into a friendship built on mutual respect and understanding. However, the foundation of parental authority should always remain clear during their formative years.
DZ: When you discovered that your daughters had the gift of song, how did you cultivate the gift and the person in preparation for stardom? What advice would you give to Black mothers who have children that seek to become artists?
EB: Recognizing their talents early on, I ensured they had access to musical training and opportunities to perform, especially in church. I also emphasized the importance of education and having a solid moral compass. For mothers nurturing young artists, it’ s vital to provide unwavering support, ensure they understand the industry’ s realities, and encourage them to stay true to themselves.
DZ: Please share your philosophy on the topic of competition and the unfortunate reality of the crabs-in-thebarrel syndrome in our communities.
EB: I believe that there’ s enough room for everyone to succeed. We should uplift and support one another rather than succumb to jealousy or competition. By celebrating each other’ s achievements, we strengthen our community and pave the way for collective progress.
“ I also emphasized the importance of education and having a solid moral compass.”
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