Tamera Mowry-Housley On Parenting During The Pandemic: EXCLUSIVE

Tamera Mowry-Housley is known publicly as an actress, television host, and business woman, but her greatest assets are her warm, positive persona and her supportive family. As someone who has managed to dodge many of the negative pitfalls of being a child star with her twin sister, Tia Mowry-Hardict on hit shows like "Sister, Sister", Mowry-Housley understands the importance of knowing your worth, self-care and partnering with companies and brands that personify: hope, encouragement, and good family values.

Moms.com recently had the opportunity to speak with Mowry-Housley about her recent brand partnership with Lucky Charms, her parenting journey during the pandemic, and she also shared some inspiration for moms who are currently feeling overwhelmed with everything happening in the world right now.

(Moms.com): How has parenting during a pandemic changed or influenced your perspective on motherhood and family?

(Mowry-Housley): As a working mother, we always try to have that balance of quality time with your family and working. When the quarantine happened, working on the talk show, The Real. I'm always the type of person that likes to turn a negative situation into a positive, and try to do my best with what I'm given.

When I was working on the show, I would be gone three days out of the week. When the quarantine happened, it was an opportunity for all of us to really connect even more and to spend that quality time with each other. And now, we are better for it. Our bond is even stronger. We've learned to take it back to the 'old school' way of doing things like playing with board games, playing Twister and getting that face-to-face time, and really build our connection.

(MC): As a parent, what have you been doing this summer to keep your kids engaged and to create a sense of normalcy for them?

(MH): Routine! I am definitely the Type A person in our relationship. My husband kind of just likes to go with the flow, but the kids need structure. They need that routine, and I have found that when you have organized the day, they have things to look forward to. So, they knew that in the morning they still had to get dressed. They knew there was a time where they could watch their favorite shows. Then there was a time when I'd say, "Let's get outside." Then, there was a time for lunch. What I really liked was when we would all get together for dinner. What's really awesome is that my daughter found a new hobby that she absolutely loves, and my son tried new foods like barbecue chicken for the first time. He's now obsessed with it, because he helped to cook it with us. I think having that structure in the day, kept everybody sane! And in the process, we learned new things.

(MC): You have a reputation for not compromising, and knowing your worth. What makes this Lucky Charms brand partnership so special, and how does it reflect you and what your family brand represents?

(MH): I don't know anybody that doesn't know who Lucky Charms or what Lucky Charms is, or who Lucky, the leprechaun is. I grew up with Lucky Charms and in our household it definitely was a treat. It was a fun, amazing treat. So, when we had it, even to this day, it feels magical. My kids, they feel the same thing, and absolutely love it. What's awesome about this partnership is that I'm actually a part of launching the 'Just Magical Marshmallows,' because I remember when I was a kid, I'd like to pick just the marshmallows out of the cereal.

And that is what the Lucky Charms Magical Marshmallows are. They're in this really cool pouch. It's the first time you can actually buy them for limited time in locations, nationwide. I also just love the messaging about this entire launch. The Lucky Leprechaun is loosing its magic, and we have to sing a song to release the magic. I feel like now more than ever when we're talking about parenting during quarantine, it's really important to be creative and have that creative play. And that is what's awesome about this launch. It's been a fun adventure to do this with the kids. I think that this is beautiful too, because people need a little joy right now and they need some encouragement.

(MC): In the context of values and understanding your worth, as a parent would you care to share some truths that you teach your kids during this time about resilience and confidence--especially during times that we are in right now?

(MH): Oh, I love your questions. I love that you are getting down to the nitty-gritty, because the reality is that kids do need to hear truth, and it's not what you say. It's how you say it. We can start with the pandemic. I felt that my kids really needed to know the importance of protecting themselves by washing their hands, and protecting their loved ones and other people by wearing masks. So, I taught them the reality of the virus. And, then with the fear and uncertainty of going to school via a computer, virtual learning.

I said, "Listen, I know this is frustrating, but know that this isn't going to last forever. This is just a short amount of time, because of COVID19." And they understood what that means. They know why they are doing it this way, and it's to protect each other and protect others and protect older individuals like grandma and grandpa. This has been helping the kids navigate through those tough times.

(MC): Not everyone has the support needed to thrive during a pandemic. Could you kindly offer some words of support and encouragement for moms who are feeling overwhelmed right now, who need encouragement on just making it through the day?

(MH): This is the big thing for moms. We are always doing, doing, doing and helping others. Always. We forget, or sometimes we feel like we are being less than when we ask for help. "You are still an amazing strong mom, if you ask for help." I have had these moments where it's like, "Whoa, mommy needs a break. Like, y'all just need to give me 5 minutes. I just need everybody to calm down. I'm going to go in my room and chill. Honey..." And this is what I love about my husband. I say," Adam, I just need like five or 10 minutes to kind of like get my thoughts together."

So, what I'm saying is that it's important to ask for help. Don't forget to do that. Don't forget to just be honest and say, "I need some support. I need some help. I need some time to just have some silence." Meditation is huge. Meditation can mean prayer to Jesus, whatever, you know, what it is, is up to you. If it's just connecting with that stillness to hear your voice, and to shut out all the noise. It's amazing how much energy is restored to you when you allow yourself to do that, and realize the importance of taking care of yourself because we're always taking care of other people. It's just innate in us. It's what we do as moms. We just do it naturally until we're just depleted. You have to make sure that as you are emptying your cup, that it's being filled at the same time so that you can stay afloat.

Check out how Tamera and her family are navigating through the pandemic on their YouTube Channel below.