Keke Palmer is cherishing every moment of motherhood. The actress and singer recently shared a message on Instagram, expressing her deep love for her son, Leodis.
“I just love my son so much,” Palmer wrote. “I don’t think our children will ever know the things we’ve overcome within ourselves just to rise to the occasion of being their parent. And they don’t have to, it’s not a burden to bear! One day he will be a grown man and have his own life and his own family and it will be a joy to see him carry on his teachings and share that freedom with the next generation..”
She continued, “But in order for that to happen, as a parent we are often faced with challenges on our road to create space for our children to blossom. And I am constantly challenging myself to sacrifice fear, self loathing and any insecurity that would stop me from being everything he deserves. I will sacrifice the comfort in discomfort, just to be who he needs me to be! I’m SO happy to be your mom Leodis, you have made me a better person. You just don’t even know.”
Palmer’s journey as a parent has not been without its challenges. Her relationship with Leodis’ father, Darius Jackson, hit a rough patch last July, when he publicly shamed her on Twitter for a concert outfit.
He wrote “It’s the outfit tho … you a mom”, to which Palmer seemingly responded, “One thing is certain and one thing is true, IM A MOTHA, through and through!”
The pair officially parted ways in October with Palmer filing a restraining order against Jackson a month later, citing physical and emotional abuse during their two-year relationship.
In December, a judge granted Palmer a temporary restraining order and temporary sole legal and physical custody of their son.
Jackson, in turn, sought joint physical custody, claiming Palmer was the “primary aggressor” in their relationship.
Although court hearings were planned for this summer, both parties requested to drop the case in May.
Despite the rocky past, it seems Palmer and Jackson seem to be making strides in co-parenting. On the Fourth of July, Palmer shared a video of Leodis swimming with his dad, captioning it, “Having fun this 4th at my grandma’s house! My uncle and grandpappy have a garden, I had to explore . God is good, hope you’re having a good one”
