Being a mom is bringing up some complicated emotions for Keke Palmer. But one that stands out? The childlike joy she feels thanks to her baby Leo teaching her how to feel like a kid again.
Palmer, who shares 9-month-old Leo with estranged ex Darius Jackson, shared a throwback picture on Monday from when she was pregnant. She also shared some candid thoughts and feelings she’s been experiencing as a mother.
“Reminiscing on this beautiful experience in my life!” the Nope star wrote about her pregnancy. She then shared that she had a “great epiphany” during a recent therapy session, which was about her own childhood.
Keke Palmer's new holiday tradition with her son is as sweet as can be! 😍✨💗 https://t.co/emvTe8P5Ww
— SheKnows (@SheKnows) December 10, 2023
“Due to traveling and scheduling both of my parents had to stop working to support my career and be present for my three siblings, leaving me with the financial responsibility around age 12,” the True Jackson, VP, alum wrote. “Which I took great pride in because I knew what it would do for generations to come and a huge blessing that I could even help out.”
Taking care of your whole family financially is a lot of responsibility for a 12-year-old — and it took its toll on Palmer. She explained, “However it caused me a lot of pain because I essentially had to abandon my childhood feelings and desires, becoming like a parentalized child, which is something some of you can probably relate to in your own way. This was something that I have had to continuously work through because I am grateful but often feel like.. I missed ‘IT’.”
That breaks my heart! Older siblings can experience this to some degree (I remember having to babysit and take care of my little siblings at a young age), but being a child actor must be so much harder. On the one hand, you’re grateful you get to live your dream and your parents are there for you. On the other hand, the only way they can support you is by quitting their jobs and relying on your income. That would be very complicated!
Motherhood Helps Her Feel Like ‘a Kid Again’
Now that Palmer is a mom — and has to be responsible for someone else again — she’s actually experienced a resurgence of those childhood feelings she missed out on.
“Life can be such a tragic comedy because how funny is it.. that now becoming an actual parent, and the responsibility I’ve always carried being more valid now than ever, has in fact given me the chance to feel what it’s like to be a kid again 🥹,” Palmer continued. “I get a chance to explore a lot of the things I missed out on with my son. His freedom is like, the most priceless gift to me. He is already teaching me so much, it’s like he awakened the little me inside that I thought was long gone.”
“God never forgets, the irony always gets me 🤣🫶🏾🙏🏾,” she added.
I’m over here bawling my eyes out because this is just so beautiful. She is working through the trauma of her past to become a better mom to baby Leo and happier person in general, and it’s such a beautiful testament to motherhood.
The Comments
People flooded Palmer with love. “You have the chance to love your inner child through parenting. So beautiful,” one commenter said.
“My mom said something similar to me once! That she loved that having me gave her the chance to build sand castles on the beach again, make up fairytales to tell me and other ‘childish’ things ❤️ she’s the best,” someone else reflected.
Another person said, “This is beautiful. Thank you for sharing. I hope you tap into that little girl inside and have the time of your life.”
“And this is why we love us some Keke. And yes inner child healing through your children is real,” someone else said. “I’ve been able to give my child and myself the experiences I wish I had growing up. I’m not the parent that sits around at the fun Sky Zones and off the walls. I’m right there with the kids jumping and rock climbing because why not. We love this for you ❤️.”
Sending Love to Keke Palmer
Palmer welcomed Leo in February with Jackson. Since then, she revealed that she endured two years of abuse from her ex-boyfriend and has filed for full custody of their infant. In a request for a domestic violence restraining order against Jackson, she wrote in part, “Darius trespassed into my home without my knowledge or consent, threatened me, then physically attacked me — lunging for my neck, striking me, throwing me over the couch, and stealing my phone when I told him I was going to call the police.”
Earlier this week, the “Big Boss” singer shared a video of her holding her son in the kitchen, writing, “When reality tv makes everyone believe all celebrities lives are just one big marketing strategy and scheme but my life is truly unraveling at the seams and I just wear trauma like a dolce gabana [sic] coat because Sharon [Palmer] didn’t raise no b****.”
Our hearts go out to Palmer as she works through these difficult issues. Luckily, she has Leo to bring light and love into her life.
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