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In a recent Red Table Talk, Jada Pinkett Smith opened up about how much other mothers shamed her for her parenting style while raising Jaden Smith and Willow Smith. It hadn’t stopped now that they are adults, and it began when they were only babies. She had so much anxiety about breastfeeding both of her children because of other mothers. 

Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith, Jaden Smith, and Willow Smith
Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith, Jaden Smith, and Willow Smith | Theo Wargo/WireImage

Jada Pinkett Smith revealed several things other moms shamed her for raising Jaden and Willow

In a recent Facebook Watch Red Table Talk with Willow, and her mother, Adrienne “Gammy” Banfield Norris, Jada opened up about many of the things other mothers criticized her for.

“Over the years, I have had my fair share of mom-shaming,” the 49-year-old actor began. “With Willow, I think the first time I got hard-core criticism when you first cut your hair, there was a firestorm.”

Jada Pinkett Smith, Willow Smith, and Jaden Smith
Jada Pinkett Smith, Willow Smith, and Jaden Smith | Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Images

Willow chose to shave her head after her fame from “Whip My Hair” was too much at 10. 

“You had two parents that worked, so I got shamed for homeschooling you so you could be with us,” she added. “And, I would have gotten shamed for leaving you here and you not being with me.”

Jada admits there were so many things people criticized about how she raised her children that made her very stressed out.

Willow Smith admits she felt the shaming as much as her mother

“I think me getting shamed for my mothering affected you more than it affected me,” Jada Pinkett told Willow.

Her daughter agreed that it was incredibly tricky within her extended family and community.

Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith, Willow Smith, and Jaden Smith
Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith, Willow Smith, and Jaden Smith | GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images
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“Specifically, with the African-American community, I felt like me and Jaden were shunned a little bit. We are not going to take pride in them because they are too different, too weird. Even some of our family members, I would feel they thought we were too different.” 

Jada pointed out that she was raising Willow and Jaden differently; however, it wasn’t a bad thing.

Willow admitted that people would come up to her when she was out at an event and say rude things. 

“It’s not your fault; your mother should have taught you better,” she recalls people saying to her.

Jada felt so much anxiety when breastfeeding Willow and Jaden

Entrepreneur and host of Pretty Big Deal, Ashley Graham, joined the Red Table Talk to discuss how much she was mom-shamed for sharing a breastfeeding photo on social media. Jada related to her experience.

“I can only imagine, Ashley,” Jada began. “When I saw the picture, inside my heart, I had to clap because I remember when I would be out with Jaden and Willow breastfeeding. Remember, I used to have that little breastfeed cover, and it would make it so difficult? They’re in there; they’re suffocating, I can’t see them. I had so much anxiety about it because back when I had them, breastfeeding was like, WHAT? What are you doing?!”

No matter how much Jada felt judged while raising Jaden and Willow, she did what she felt was the best for her children. She encourages other mothers to do the same. What is most important is how the decision is affecting your children, not other people.

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