Childhood trauma was the driving force behind Jeannie Mai’s determination to refrain from having kids. The Real co-host recently explained how her husband, Jeezy, helped her overcome her fears.
“I was always — and still am — very protective of women and people who don’t want to have kids,” Jeannie Mai shared. “I don’t like the guilt and the pressure that’s placed on women to have children,” the expectant talk show host added. “Just because we’re women, it means that we have the choice; it doesn’t mean that we have to have children.”
Jeannie Mai has been adamant about not having kids since her debut as co-host on The Real. Jeannie even admitted that her desire to refrain from expanding her family with children was the main reason for her divorce from her first husband, Freddy Harteis.
“He could have been happy not having children with me,” Jeannie shared during a very personal segment on The Real in 2018. “When you physically see how a man is with a child, and if the man really desires to be a father, and you know that you are that block between that happening, you just don’t feel right about yourself every single day.”
Jeannie Mai remained true to her decision to not have children until she met and fell in love with Jeezy. “As a child, when you are taken from things that feel good and whole and safe, it’s hard to see anything as trustworthy moving forward,” the celebrity explained during an exclusive interview with PEOPLE.
“I realize that the reason I didn’t want to have kids is because that feeling when I was a kid was so real and so damaging to the point that I’m 42 today still dealing with trust issues and confidence,” the celebrity admitted.
“I’m so thankful because I’ve never felt this ready,” Jeannie Mai continued. “I’ve been through so much, and I’ve survived and I’m shining. My heart is ready,” The Real co-host said. “I was meant to be a mom.”
Photo: Jeannie Mai Jenkins/Instagram
