Grammy-nominated singer, American Idol alum, and actress Jordan Sparks is getting candid about parenting. In a recent interview with Parents.com, the 34-year-old mother talked about how she practices “gentle parenting” with her five-year-old son, Dana Jr., aka DJ, recognizing that “parenting is hard.”
“I talk to him through everything pretty much, and then we sing and we laugh. If there’s something that’s happening, or he’s frustrated or feeling irritated, I try to talk him through those feelings, but if that doesn’t work, I try to do something funny,” she said in her interview.
According to Parents.com, “gentle parenting” is parenting that is patient, calm, and punishment-free, gentle parenting is an evidence-based approach that focuses on empathy, respect, understanding, and boundaries.
Sparks admits that in addition to maintaining strong open communication and a sense of humor with her son, music also is playing a significant role in DJ’s upbringing. The Candy Cane Lane actress said that her son often accompanies her to the music studio when she is recording and that he has even learned some of her songs such as “No Air,” “Tattoo,” and “One Step at a Time.”
Sparks shares her only child with husband, Dana Isaiah. And as she is mentally preparing herself for her son’s next phase in his childhood journey, DJ turns six in May, Sparks admits that she still “feels like a new mom” as “six seems so much bigger than five”.
“Six seems so much bigger than 5 for some reason,” she said. “I’m just really grateful; he’s just the greatest little boy. I love getting to know him and spending time with him. I still feel like I’m a new mom! But I also feel like I was meant to do it. I was meant to be in this place, and meant to be his mom.”
Want to learn more about “gentle parenting” and how to incorporate this parenting style’s techniques into your parenting journey? Click here.
Photo: Jordin Sparks Instagram
