I DO NOT look at the world through rose colored glasses. I also do not want to be blinded by my love for my child. My mother who can not help to tell it like is, has already started to put me in my place. I asked my mother, do you think my baby is beautiful. She responded, even monkeys think their babies are beautiful.

I was talking with one of my best friends who has three children. I admire her, she just went back to school and got her degree in medical billing. She is a great mother. I asked her to please help me with my journey as a mother. I gave her free rights to correct me especially if I was being blinded by love. She gave the funniest look as if she wanted to say yeah right. I assured her, If you are telling me something I am doing wrong out of love, I promise I will not get offended.

I think everyone should have that mindset. It will come in handy.

On American Idol I am disgusted every year when I see parents who are supporting their children who have little to no singing ability. The children come back crying because their dreams have just been crushed. Then the child goes running into their parents’ arms. I just don’t get it. I am not saying do not believe in your children or stand behind them. I am saying if your child can not sing worth a flip, do not tell them they can. They will be crushed later. If the parents are blinded by love, a friend or another relative should sit them down and have a serious discussion with the parents. Being delusional about your children is a bad thing.

I REALIZE telling a parent the honest truth is not an easy task. I stand by my theory though. In the end, it is better for the child.

My husband, Tshaw, was entering a video contest and everyone else told him the video was so great. I was the only one who was honest with him and told him that not only was it not great, it was subpar. I knew he was capable of higher quality of work. He did not agree with me and was incapable of looking at his own body of work. By the way, I didn’t get roses that week. Every time he produced something I was honest though.

NOW, HE thanks me because even though he did not like my honesty he listened to it. Well, eventually he listened to it. With his hard work and my honesty, he ended up on national television hosting with Ryan Seacrest.

As my baby grows, I hope I can remember not be blinded by my great love for him. I don’t know how easy it is going to be but I am going to try. I don’t want my love to enable him not be his greatest. If you have let love blind you, it is never too late to be honest with yourself or your loved ones.

© 2012, MaLu Bradford Beyonce,

All Rights Reserved.

You may reach MaLu Bradford Beyonce at malubeyonce@gmail.com