Being a New Mother and a Singer/Songwriter in the Music Industry!

I am a mother to a two month old baby boy named Amari. I did consider how having a child would affect my career which I knew would slow down for a while, as my main priority would be my baby. I also knew that the way I was perceived in the industry would change. I was prepared to face the fact that many industry tycoons would see me as inflexible and tied down. However, I decided to risk it, as being a mother was something that meant the world to me. I had faith that I could handle both a newborn and a thriving music career. I just had to believe in myself.

Being a successful mother, recording artist and business woman is about balance, being great at multitasking, and having good support. I am blessed to have all three. Balance is something I have learned throughout the years, however it is my little one who has truly taught me how to be balanced. Each day I must prioritize and work on what is the most important thing that day. If I don’t finish all my business goals in the day, it’s okay. I don’t beat myself up. I allow myself to enjoy my son, and relish in the business accomplishments I did obtain. In regard to multitasking, I have learned how to breastfeed while emailing, or while making business calls or Skype calls. I have also had to schedule my recording sessions during Amaris' nap times, which is all over the place, as he is still so young. My producer also happens to be my business partner, and my life partner. This is the best support I can ask for, since he is able to pick up any business slack. If I need time to finish a project, he understands and will take the baby for as long as I need. I mean, he is the daddy after all so he has no complaints lol.

Being a new mom and a working mom has it’s challenges. I am exhausted from lack of sleep. I should be napping when Amari naps, but I am working. The times when I need to record, I have a crying baby and can’t get any music made. This can be frustrating, and a bit overwhelming, but I just have to roll with the punches. People ask me, “Why don’t you just get a nanny?” The truth is, I am not yet ready to have a stranger look after my baby. Amari is too young, and I am an overprotective mommy. I also like to do everything myself. I can be quite the control freak, so I just have to make sacrifices to make it work. What really suffers is my beauty regime lol. My nails suffer, my hair suffers and my body suffers. What I mean is that I have less time for myself. Of course when I go out to an event, that is a different story, however, this singer does not doll up just to go to the grocery store or walk the dog like she once use to...well maybe sometimes I still do:)

Recently, I had a radio DJ ask me how my brand has changed since being a mother. I said, it hasn’t just changed, but has grown. I now have a son who is part of my brand, and if anything, he has enhanced it.

Amari is now my sidekick, and even though things have changed, they have changed for the better. I will get a nanny eventually, but right now it is me, Amari and NHD. I love my life, and now I have someone special I get to share my success with. He makes me want to work harder, and smarter. I am incredibly excited for the future.

Dream big...do bigger! Dreaming is believing!