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EP 109: Unhinged & Unfiltered with Rebecca Sue Watson
2.2k Plays26 days ago
This week on Mom Group Chat, we’re joined by the one and only Rebecca Sue Watson — hilarious content creator, teen mom turned powerhouse parent, and the unhinged voice behind the "toot your coot for a cinnamon roll" movement (yes, you read that right).
Rebecca had us cry-laughing and tearing up (sometimes in the same sentence) as she opened up about:
- Becoming a mom as a teenager and what that season taught her
- The very unconventional journey of her marriage — and how they've made it work
- Raising a child with special needs: the raw struggles, the beautiful perspective shifts, and the way it’s changed her entire view on motherhood
- How she manages to find humor in everyday chaos — from wardrobe malfunctions at school pickup to her kid Hulk-smashing through a pumpkin patch
If you're a mom who's ever felt like a hot mess, this episode will make you feel seen, heard, and maybe slightly more sane. Rebecca is equal parts heart and hilarity — and this is a convo you don’t want to miss.
Rebecca S. Watson ☀️ (@rebecca_sue_watson)
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Transcript
Meet the Hosts and Guest
00:00:07
Speaker
There's no right way to do it. Oh, we're going to get into it. What up, moms? My name is Candice, and I'm here with my best friend, Whitney, and a guest that I am literally so excited about.
00:00:23
Speaker
She is my absolute favorite follow right now on TikTok and Instagram. I am here with Rebecca Watson herself, Babs, if you will.
00:00:34
Speaker
And I'm so excited to welcome her to Mom Group Chat. Welcome. Hi. We're so excited. I love that you call me Babs. I mean, I feel like i am like a super fan, honestly. Like I was like a little embarrassed. I was like when I was getting on this call, i was like, I need to reel it in because I'm just so obsessed with your content and just you as a person.
00:01:01
Speaker
I have never been so sure in my life about someone fitting in with Whitney and i like I have just been like, like a girl group. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. No, yeah like that's what this is. And, um, so tell our audience like a little bit about you, who you are, tell us about your family. Just like, like I'm on a job interview. Okay.
00:01:20
Speaker
Yeah. yeah it's like one of those, like they sit you in a circle and they're like, tell us about you. And you're like, Oh, okay. Okay. Um,
The Rise of 'Babs'
00:01:26
Speaker
okay. So Rebecca, I can go by Babs. That's a made up name. My name is not Barbara. Nobody calls me Babs.
00:01:32
Speaker
I just decided one day that I wanted to be called Babs. And so then I just forced the people on the internet to call me Babs to the point where nobody actually knows my real name, but I like it that way. Uh, so I'm 34, uh, big daddy and I got married. We were high school sweethearts.
00:01:47
Speaker
So I'm married. We got married, um, a year, no, two years after we got together. So I was in eighth grade and he was in 12th grade. That sounds, ah i was dyslexic, first of all.
00:01:59
Speaker
So please don't look at the age range and be like, wow, he's a creep. He's really not. I'm trying calculate how old you were when you got married. 18. It was two weeks after my 18th birthday. I got married two weeks after my 18th birthday. yeah And so I started on TikTok as a joke because you know like Bama Rush. So I'm in Alabama and it's a thing like Bama Rush. It's funny. We went to Alabama.
00:02:19
Speaker
Okay. You did? both of eyes in Roll Tide. Okay. palm which is are okay well Well, you're there at the same time because we're both 34. Oh, well, I didn't go.
00:02:29
Speaker
Yeah, I don't think she went to the bars. mean, I went to the bars, but I didn't go to the university. so But we were probably in Galette's all at the same time. Yeah, yeah. 100%. wasn't sure if you were an Auburn fan because you were recently in your Instagram stories. don't about football.
00:02:44
Speaker
Okay. So I'll wear whatever color. I'm there for the good time, the vibes, the drinks, um the people. Honestly, same. I love that. Yeah, Little situation. I really don't care about anything else, but like everything, I'm like, whatever, I don't care, you know? Yeah, um And so we're from Alabama, so it's completely normal to get married really young here. Yeah.
00:03:03
Speaker
And then we started that TikTok just because Baby Rush was a thing. We thought it was funny with my coworkers. And then once I quit my job a couple years ago, i was like, yeah, let's just post on TikTok because i have nothing better to do.
00:03:14
Speaker
And he said, that's what did. have a talent and I'm amazing. I wouldn't call it a talent. I would call it delusion. No, it's it's like poet bell you have one of the best like personalities.
Decisions & Challenges: Reality Show and Early Motherhood
00:03:26
Speaker
Like if I were a recruiter for a reality show, like you would be my first call. Somebody tried to get me on the show The Circle. ah Netflix called or like messaged me. Oh, interesting. I've seen that show.
00:03:39
Speaker
And they want to be leaving my kids for like eight weeks. Oh God, thank you. Uh, they me to leave my kids for eight weeks. And was like, listen, sounds like a vacation, but me being in one room continuously for eight weeks is never going to be me.
00:03:51
Speaker
Like never going to be me. No, I didn't see you out in the wild. You know, I honestly thought I was like, no, I would look fucking crazy. Like I would, people will start to really notice that I'm not mentally okay. Yeah. i was like, I can't do it. I got to go.
00:04:05
Speaker
Where in Alabama are you? Birmingham. so we're only in like an hour from Tuscaloosa. Okay, yeah. feel like you have a ah thick accent. Do I? See, I don't think I have an accent.
00:04:17
Speaker
um And Browley's family is from Indiana. So like all my in-laws are from northern Indiana. I don't think I have an accent. But when I go up there, everybody's like, well, hey, y'all. And I'm like, i do I sound like that?
00:04:28
Speaker
And they're like, yes, you do. Yes, you do. And I'm like, no, I don't. But I will say like my mother is not like country, like the Southern mother. It's like straight up white trash.
00:04:41
Speaker
And so you sound rich to me. And so, oh my God, thank you. i think it's a sweater. um And so like straight up white trash. So like when I talk and I get in the Amazon wallpaper, that doesn't really match up if you look right here.
00:04:53
Speaker
um But like I will get real talkative and I'll notice like when I watch videos back, I'll be like, oh my God, oh my God. And I'm like, yeah, and I'm like, okay. Well, that was embarrassing. I was like, I'm never fucking talking again.
00:05:06
Speaker
But like then we started to share about Audrey's autism. So our two children on the internet are called Joe Dirt and Joe Pesci. Don't ask me why. um It started a thing and people really they're like, is that her name? And I'm like, no, that's not their real names. like um But so we started talking about Joe Pesci's autism, because I noticed that a lot of people showed autism in their life, but they showed like all the negatives.
00:05:29
Speaker
And I was like, yes, it has a lot of negatives, but there's so many negatives. ways it can be positive and you can live a normal, a quote unquote normal life, you know? And so yeah I was like a year and a half ago, I think it was, i was like, I'm just gonna show a little bit more of our life and show people that like, it's not all doom and gloom. And like, if you do get a diagnosis that your child has autism, like your life's not over.
00:05:48
Speaker
Because everything I saw was like just horrible. And it was just like, wow, if I we got remember when I found out she had autism, I went on the internet to like, see what people, you know, were living. And it was just like, your life is going to suck.
00:06:00
Speaker
And I was like, yeah wow, but ah Okay. So I, for years was like, our life is horrible. We're never going to anything. And then i was, I was like, this is not at all true. so i was like, well, I'm just going to show little snippets of our life to show people like, it's not horrible.
00:06:13
Speaker
Like it'll be perfectly fine. Like, yeah, we don't live, we get to live like normal other people do, but we get a happy life in just a different way. Yeah. Yeah. I definitely want to dive a little bit deeper into that. But before we do that, I want to take it back a little bit and start at the beginning of your motherhood journey. Cause you definitely had a like an interesting start to motherhood from a very young age. So I want to, I want you to like walk us through
Teen Pregnancy and Motherhood Motivation
00:06:45
Speaker
that. Yeah.
00:06:46
Speaker
Okay. So, um, give us a timeline. ah So big daddy Brad and I met in 2006, um, um I was madly in love with him. I thought he was like everything. He could have told me the sky was green and I would have been like, the sky is green. He said so.
00:06:59
Speaker
um so I was madly in love with him. And then 2007 ish, i was like man, I'm feeling that Okay. You can only imagine what we were doing before school. Okay. Let's just get to that point. We were doing some things. yeah Okay.
00:07:11
Speaker
We were pulling and holding a little bit. And so i was like, um i don't feel so good. and he was like, i think you're pregnant. So before homecoming, I have more, a whole part of my body was black and a whole part of it was maroon.
00:07:24
Speaker
And I was ready to go into the pep rally. And he was like, here's a pregnancy test. Pee on this. Yeah. And let's see if you're pregnant. And it came back instantly. And it was like, ding, you're pregnant.
00:07:34
Speaker
So imagine that pep rally. Okay. I was like sick. Like I was like hot, sweaty, throwing up. And I was like scared shitless. Like I was like, I am pregnant. What am I going to god Um, so i And you're what, 16?
00:07:46
Speaker
Yes, I'm 16 at this point. Um, and so I was scared shitless. He was 18 at that point. And so, um, I didn't want to tell my mom and I refused for like three and a half months. I did not tell my mom. And he was like, you have to tell her. And so he actually forced me, like drug me in there because my mom is a very, like I told you, very country, very redneck, very aggressive individual. And so I noticed that I'm a super aggressive individual and I'm like, I don't know why like this. And I meet my mom and I'm like, okay, I'll fight a grown man in the front yard, like nobody's business.
00:08:15
Speaker
um And so was very scared. And so I told her and for the next like six to eight months, it was just, you know, nobody's happy. Everybody's like your life is over.
00:08:26
Speaker
And it was so funny in the time because everybody was like, you ruined his life. So all the like family was very much like we ruined, I ruined Bradley's life. So it was very, i got the finger pointed at me.
00:08:40
Speaker
um i Right. When like takes two to tango guys. Right. I'm like, he was there too. And he was having a good time. um But he like I had a lady in Walmart. I was pregnant with my mom and I was 16 and I was walking around and she told me, she was like, somebody should have horse whipped you.
00:08:57
Speaker
And I was just like, what? So like I had the craziest experiences of people just saying the meanest things to me. um Because this is before Teen Mom. I like to say I started a trend. Yeah. Because yeah they could have called me, I would have been Macy.
00:09:10
Speaker
Okay. just telling you. Yeah. Yeah. Macy's my favorite Teen Mom. She is my favorite. I feel like she's always ready. She's kind normal. and Yeah. She's not Farrah. Oh, yeah, yeah. Oh, God.
00:09:21
Speaker
We could go into that. She's not Janelle. Even though i feel like I really related with Amber back in the day. I was like, I think me and Amber are a lot alike. And now I think to myself, why did I ever say that? Because y'all are on drugs. I'm just kidding. No, we were just redneck. Okay. I think Bradley might have bought my ring because he bought me a ring, but it wasn't at Walmart. Like Gary bought hers.
00:09:40
Speaker
He had his friend who had credit buy the ring and then he paid him back. So, you know, love. At least he was resourceful. Yeah, he was resourceful. He was like, I'll at least go to Zales, you know? and I was like, yes, Zales. me that cluster diamond.
00:09:54
Speaker
Like, I need the cluster diamond. it begins with K, you know? Yes. And so then we, so then flash forward to May of 2008. And that is when we had little Joe Dirt, who is not Joe Dirt. Her name is Alexandria.
00:10:09
Speaker
yeah so We had little Joe Dirt. and So like that was a experience that I didn't realize like people doubted me so much for. Like I remember I had someone come up to me, well, probably when Alex was like three or four months old and was like, you just took to motherhood so naturally. I'm so surprised you're so good at it.
00:10:26
Speaker
And it had never dawned on me because everybody was so like, didn't want to be seen with me. very embarrassed of me, like you're never going to make anything in your life, um that they didn't think that I could do it.
00:10:38
Speaker
And so that realized that like I had to do it and I had to do it better than they did it. And so then I became really big bitch about it. Like I was like, I'm going to do this. I'm do it better than all you bitches. Because I had the first grandkid.
00:10:51
Speaker
um Nobody else had grandkids. My sister's 10 years older than me. So at this point she's 27 living her best life. um And my other sister-in-law is in her twenties and they don't have kids. So I was just like, okay, I'm going to do it, but I'm it better than you.
00:11:04
Speaker
Yeah, which was pretty ridiculous. I went to therapy about it. I've been like, I've got a problem because I tried so hard. I mean, dropping her off at kindergarten, I would dress myself up with this sweater outfit does not help, but I would dress myself up to look older because I didn't want if she had a friend and they wanted to come over and then be like, oh, we don't want to drop her off at her house. You know, her mom's 21.
00:11:28
Speaker
You know, so um then it's like now that we're older, I'm like jealous how young they all look. They probably. Oh, yeah. I mean, yeah. but The youngest mom, you know, for for Alex. But like I thought you hot, man. They're like, dang. See, I always thought they probably think god we're not letting her go hang out with her. God, boy. Yeah.
00:11:46
Speaker
old you You're Stacy's mom, but Alex's mom. She's so cute. Oh my gosh. So and not the youngest mom when it comes to Audrey. Like I go in there and there's like people younger than me and I'm like, the teachers are younger than me. And I'm like, Oh my God.
00:12:02
Speaker
I'm like, I'm really old over here. And they're like, how old are you? I'm like 34. thirty four 34. So yeah, the young motherhood journey, how it started, how the motherhood journey started for me, it was very chaotic and it was very, but I always tell little Joe Dirt, I was like, listen, I would never go back. would never change it. Like it really, Bradley and I on a path to be like, we have to get our shit together and we have to get shit done.
00:12:27
Speaker
because we wanted to be able to give her more than we had because I grew up very poor and he grew up kind of middle class. um And I mean, I was like, my mom had three jobs. Like we didn't have power. We didn't have food at some points, you know, like I didn't have clothes at some point. So like I grew up very poor. And so I was always like, I want to strive to make sure that she has to second guess. Like if the power's on, if she has food, you know, things like that.
00:12:51
Speaker
so e Do you feel at all like you missed out on some of your teen years? a I will say like when I was in early 20s and especially when it was happening, right? So when my friends were still at high school and they were going to prom and they were in grades, you know, I had horrible fear of missing out.
00:13:12
Speaker
And I was so like, I didn't get to graduate. My mom was this just at that point, nobody cared about what I was doing. So nobody forced me to keep in school. So I just dropped out.
00:13:22
Speaker
I was really embarrassed to be there because like I was the pregnant girl. And so I just disappeared and was like, I'll never talk to anybody here again. yeah Now you're like, surprise.
00:13:33
Speaker
everywhere yes They literally people from high school are like, Hey girl. And I'm like, Hey, how you doing? It's me, the pregnant girl. Because you know you'll always be stamped by that. I mean, it's like, you know, that one girl my school that has a nickname. It's like, I'm pregnant girl.
00:13:48
Speaker
And I'm like, damn. Okay. I couldn't be pregnant. It's fine. um But I remember graduation. i was just like, so upset. Like they were getting move on to that next stage in life and I didn't get to move on. But once we became in our twenties, a lot of the people I was friends with in high school, like they went to college, got jobs and we were kind of in that same playing field again. yeah I didn't feel as if I was missing out as much. It was just Joe dirt went with me everywhere. Like it was just my 20 year old friends and
00:14:20
Speaker
And a two-year-old. And we were just having a great time. like I was like, come on, girl. Let's go. Yeah. That's what I do now. I'm just like, come on. We're going to the bar.
00:14:30
Speaker
We're going to the bar, baby. she thought she gets She connects better with adults than she does children because she grew up around adult And so I'm like, but none of my kids, none of my friends had kids at that point. Yeah.
00:14:43
Speaker
And I feel like high school, high school, there's so much like structure there, like, right. There's events and stuff. And so that like breeds the FOMO and the missing out and the insecurity. Whereas like when you get out of that and I, life is more like free, there's not that like right rigid structure. always say that high high school is a social experiment.
00:15:05
Speaker
Yeah, 100%. And we had social media back then. So it wasn't what it is now. But like we had MySpace and like Facebook was new. And so like everybody was posting, you know, like we would post like the 75 photos that you took on your on your camera. Of course. And so I remember just click through and be like, oh, and here I am, you know.
00:15:20
Speaker
taking care of a toddler and or a baby at that time and so i gained a bunch of weight i went from 100 pounds to 185 pounds because i was like severely depressed and i like paid my way through it because if i'm upset baby i'm gonna eat ah don't i wish i didn't want to but i if you call me and you're like bitch i need to get something to eat even if i have just eaten food is on the table in front of me i'm gonna be like okay hold on you put my shoes on and i'm getting a little appetizer yeah that's literally whitney and i Oh, we might call it going all out.
00:15:49
Speaker
We just talked about it too. So we'd go to a restaurant and going all out means we're getting a Coke with. We're getting Coke. We're getting an appetizer. Yes. Yes.
00:16:01
Speaker
love each other. ah I love it. I love it. I'll be like, look, you don't have to call me twice. You ask me. Just text me and be like, bitch. or I'm like, ah but my shoes are on. and Like I'm gone. I'll be like, sorry. Gotta go. Bye. Everybody in the house. Goodbye. I don't care if anyone's busy.
00:16:14
Speaker
ah But yeah, it got easier the older I got, you know, and now I look back as 34 year old and I didn't really miss. I mean, I did miss like I think certain moments that I would have liked to have like prom and things like that.
00:16:27
Speaker
But at the same time, i'm like, you know what? My life was just different. And I had different experiences and I also grew lot faster than they did. And i think that set me up for where I was going to go in life without knowing totally that I was going to end up in this position being
Motherhood's Impact on Personal Growth
00:16:41
Speaker
a special needs mom. So I'm like, I think I needed that structure. Yeah. So I could be where I am now.
00:16:46
Speaker
so i could be where i am now It's so funny what you find being important at that age too. Yes. Oh my God. Prom is like the, the biggest deal in the world. Your high school boyfriend, your whatever in college, like a sorority was like the biggest deal in the world. And now it's like, when you create a family, it's like, that is actually the biggest deal. You were like, wow, I was really selfish. Yeah. What was I? Yeah.
00:17:11
Speaker
Like, I think about that all the time. Yeah. Oh, for sure. um The thing is, I of got to skip over that selfish part. So, but I was, I was very, very like self, I was very conceited.
00:17:22
Speaker
um No eyebrows at all in the year 2005. And I thought it was the hottest thing you'd ever seen. You know, so I needed to be humbled quickly because I i always tell my husband, that I'm like, if they didn't humble me and I didn't get 85 pounds, I probably would have been a horrible slut.
00:17:34
Speaker
Like, Thank God. maybe He knew. he was like, let her gain some weight. Let's humble her real quick because she's on a fast track. You know, and i was like, thank you. Thank you. I needed that. Oh, God.
00:17:45
Speaker
Well, I hope, though, that you look back on your, like, 16, 17, 18-year-old self and are like, damn, girl, like, I'm so proud of you. Like, yeah what you did – like showing the haters, you know, that you did it and you did it better. Like you should, I hope you're giving yourself a pat on the back because that's amazing.
00:18:07
Speaker
It's funny because we have a 17 year old. And so I was 17 when was doing it. And I look at her and I'm like, okay, I have successfully, you know, given her a different life life, a different path. She doesn't have to go through all those things. I probably babied her a little, a little too much. I'll be honest.
00:18:22
Speaker
We all do with our firstborns, right? Yes. And so I'm like, okay, I probably could have toughened her up and let her learn from certain experiences. But now looking at her knowing like we're 17 years apart, me and you.
00:18:33
Speaker
um it does make me look really proud. I'm like, look what you have. You know, like we were able to get you these things and you're able to do these things that I would have never been able to. Like she's thinking about colleges and that was never something her or our dad or our dad. No, her dad. baby It's not our dad.
00:18:47
Speaker
It's Alabama, but we ain't that kind of Alabama. um We don't have to think about that. ah did Okay. One last question. Did your mom ever like come around like once Joe job was the world?
00:18:59
Speaker
And no, it wasn't just my mom, like everybody. Yeah, and I tell you i got shit from every single family member. I mean, my sister in law, Lindsay, if you're watching this, um, her husband had never sent her flowers.
00:19:13
Speaker
And he sent her flowers because she was so upset. Like everybody. Wow. Everybody was she was so distraught. She was so upset. I mean, my sister was, everybody was so I was like, Hey, nobody's thinking about me. yeah yeah Like I'm upset.
00:19:29
Speaker
I'm upset. And so everybody ended up coming around. So like there was a couple months where certain members would ignore me. They wouldn't not talk to me. Like I was very much ignored. And then once Alex came out looking like the gorgeous heavenly baby that she was, and she slept nine hours a night.
00:19:46
Speaker
um never cried oh never had a problem knew you needed that she was like she needs a win she needs a win because because the next one's really gonna get her the next one's really gonna get her um and then as soon as she came out like everybody she is like everybody's favorite and to this day like 17 years later she is everybody's favorite and everyone just like went like was just like oh my gosh and now the the people that doubted me are like oh my god you know alex is so this who so that like you did so good on this and so good on that and so it's one of those things where'm like Yeah. And then you had them and you're like, fuck you.
00:20:16
Speaker
Yeah. and then you'll kind like me and Bradley will start talking about it. And i'm like, oh I'll get mad all over again. Hold Let's just like, let's just not talk about it. It's like, we're leaving that in the past, but it's hard. yeah seventeen I'm like, when we can't talk about this. i was like, we all got to talk to to my therapist. Okay. I was like, I to talk to my therapist.
00:20:30
Speaker
Okay. I want to transition quickly to talk about you and Brad's relationship. Cause you, that's also been like such an interesting path. Cause you guys took a break. We did.
00:20:40
Speaker
Yeah. So yeah we dated for, we were, married we dated for like two years. We got married two weeks after my 18th birthday. And it wasn't like this romantic, like, Oh my God, I love you. I can't not be married to you. It was, I was sick as hell.
00:20:53
Speaker
I had no insurance because back of the day, you know, you turned 18, you got kicked off your parents' insurance. so I had nothing. Yeah. And he was just like, let's get married. So I got up, I put on my Hammerheads, Fred t-shirt, neon green, a blue miniskirt.
00:21:07
Speaker
We packed up the baby in in the car seat. She was our witness. And we went to the courthouse. Didn't tell a soul, by the way. Didn't call, didn't text, nothing. We just left him went.
00:21:18
Speaker
And we got married. And so like, and it just never like dawned. I think about that the time. I'm like, what if our kid just went and got married and didn't call nobody? I'd roll up I'd have to fight her. I'd have to fight her. Okay. Um, so I'm like, howd hurt my way less and like how wild of us. So we were together at that point for like seven years and I was 21. Um, and I looked around one day and was like, I don't know who I am as a person. Mm-hmm.
00:21:43
Speaker
Like, who am I? um All I knew was Rebecca and Bradley, Rebecca and Bradley. You're Alex's mom, Rebecca and Bradley. So I didn't know what I liked in life. We he didn't like the things I liked. He was kind of like working all the time, taking care of a kid. I had just gotten my first full time job.
00:21:59
Speaker
And that job was in a part of town. ah You probably know if you're from here. Like i worked on 280. Okay. So you know where 280 is, like near the summit. yeah And so I was exposed to all these people. And at the time I was a leasing agent and we were like A-class property. So I was seeing all kinds of different people from all kinds of walks of life. And I just figured out like, I don't know what I like.
00:22:21
Speaker
And I don't think I want to stay on this path that we're on. So being a 21-year-old being an absolute idiot, I just opened our apartment door because we lived at the apartments where I worked.
00:22:32
Speaker
And I was like, hey, I want to break up. And he was like, what? And and now I was like, I don't, I don't, i just want to break up. And he wouldn't, he wouldn't break up with me. And so I i remember i called my sister and I'm like, I'm leaving Bradley, you know, very, i had audacity, like nobody's business. I was like, I'm leaving Bradley, blah, blah, blah.
00:22:48
Speaker
I'm not telling anyone, like, I just don't know who I am and I don't know what to do. And I want to figure out who I am instead of being honest. I just kept well, just want to break up. Well, just want to break up. You probably didn't recognize what you were feeling too. I mean, yeah yeah I would have never been that self aware at that age. Yeah. At that age, I really was just like, I want to just, it was like, I just want to get away. You want to change. Yeah. It's like, I want to run away for a second and live. Yeah. I get it.
00:23:10
Speaker
And so I remember my sister was like, this is gonna be really hard for him. Like, you know, cause Bradley was just like, I love you. Don't leave me. And I was just like, peace out girl. So I'm leaving. um And I was like, I got to go back.
00:23:22
Speaker
Like very rude. And so for the next like two and a half years, I didn't date anyone. Like seriously, I went on dates, but I just figured out what I liked. And it was like, I started to go to different restaurants. I started traveling because I had free time at that point because I had every other weekend to figure out what I wanted to do and travel places. And we were all in our early twenties. And so, you know, two and a half years in, i started to figure out, hmm,
00:23:48
Speaker
you know what? wasn't that bad. Okay. i actually really like him. And so I just, um, called him up. Okay. Called him up and was like, Hey, um, come pick me up.
00:24:00
Speaker
And so he did. And then the next day i looked at him and I was like, so we're getting back together. And he just looked at me and he was like, ah okay. And I said, and I expect to have another kid. I was, and he was like,
00:24:11
Speaker
if that's what you want, he was like, yeah I don't care. Like we have five kids. Like I don't care. And I said, okay. And we've been back together ever since. That's so cute though. I know. And he never once made me apologize, even though he should have. Like he should have made me be like, you owe me an apology. And he never asked for it. Cause if it was me, I'd be like, you're going to say sorry.
00:24:33
Speaker
You're going to, you know I'm saying? Like very, at 21, was very like, had a lot of audacity, but he never once did. He was just like, I didn't care. Cause you came back and I was like, I've been ready because he,
00:24:45
Speaker
Every anniversary we had in those two years, he was like our dating anniversary and our wedding anniversary. He made us celebrate it together. um And like he would bring me flowers. He would always call and try to have some kind of communication with me and be like, are you still sure? Are you still sure? Which looking back on it, I'm like, wow, I was so arrogant and so rude.
00:25:03
Speaker
And I always tell him, like, you are too good because i would have just been like, yeah Yeah. Well, i think I think there you hit this like threshold when you become a mom. I know i dealt with this in a way that was like you you're you do have this moment of looking around like every day is kind of the same. And you're like, I'm not the main character of my life anymore. Suddenly, like what is happening?
00:25:26
Speaker
And I think you kind of have to have this like. revolution even if it's like just with yourself to be like what do i like like what do how do i feel like myself again yeah and you just lose yourself yeah really yeah totally and i think it's like do i think it's unrealistic for people to say like oh that doesn't really happen i'm like no what you do you lose yourself and that's like nobody told me you were gonna lose yourself yeah and it's especially back then Like, oh yeah you know, 15 years ago, nobody was saying anything. well No one has the resources we have now.
00:25:59
Speaker
Yeah. like Everyone's open about that stuff. I mean, it's just yeah crazy. When I'm a friend that has a baby, I literally tell them like, I'm like, oh my gosh, how are you? And you know, you do that. Oh, we're good. But I'm like, no, no, I'm sure the baby's fine.
00:26:11
Speaker
How are you? Like, how are you actually? Because I know how it is because you start to figure out that you no longer are the, you you know, like you said, the main character and everybody's like the baby, the baby, the baby, the baby, the baby. Nobody cares about you.
00:26:25
Speaker
And then you're up all night, you're feeding the baby, you're changing the baby, you're exhausted. You don't want to get dressed. Your body looks different. It feels different. And you just feel like you lose who you are. yeah And that's what I think I was going through, but also with the fact that I had never in you know, anybody besides a child and then a mom and then a a wife.
00:26:43
Speaker
And he will say, okay, he doesn't like to admit it because he does not like that we broke up. It bothers him to this day. um But he'll, we always say like, we're better together now than we were then because he had time to be himself, to be, you know, at that point he was in his mid twenties to grow as a person and see what he liked individually and what I liked individually. And we have come together stronger. And we're also united in like what we want.
00:27:10
Speaker
So like in the beginning, it was very, I don't know you want. You just do what want. was probably survival for you guys, honestly. Yes. And he was like one of those, I'm a good old boy kind of guys back in the day. And I was like, that's not my time.
00:27:22
Speaker
yeah And he was just like, well, he was, you know, and then he, I told him like ah at the time, you know, now I'm like, I don't care what you do with your body, but I him, was like, don't get tattoos. So the, all those tattoos that you see on his arm are revenge tattoos.
00:27:35
Speaker
Yeah. because he was like oh she's gonna tell me i can't yes and like he has one on his middle finger that's love and i remember when he got it he texted me a picture he's like this is for you oh cause it means yeah and now like look at us together again with that blurry ass finger tattoo And when we got together, he had like snake bites and big gauges. And like he went through his whole phase and he's like, I'm glad I got to at least go through my phase. And like, you got to go through your phase. I going you did him a favor, honestly. Like you guys got to just like live a little bit of life on your own and you guys are better and stronger for it.
00:28:09
Speaker
Yeah. And now we look back on it and ah Joe Dirt has like ba barely any memories of it. Yeah. um Like, because I'll ask her, like, do you remember that? She's like, not really. She's like, kind of, sort of like, I'll remember like being at his house and then I'll remember being at your house. But she's like, your house was always filled with like, cause I had an apartment and I feel that thing to the brim, like every day, all my friends were there because I was the only person that would live by themselves.
00:28:30
Speaker
Yeah. You're like, girl, I don't remember the cheesecake factory at the summit. Like, come on. That was a treat. Yeah. And she was, what she does remember the one vivid memory she has is when we first broke up, he took the Alabama A off the top of front of my car, like that license plate.
00:28:46
Speaker
And I mean, like she tore him up for months. Yeah. She was like, that's mom's. That's not yours. She tore him up for months about that. And to this day, she's like, the only thing I remember is him really taking off that plate and how mad I was that he took that from you.
00:28:57
Speaker
And I was like, and girl, I could have cared less because I don't even like football. So they yeah, this is funny, of the things they remember, but it was a time, but I'm happy that we, we did it. And we've been back together now for 11 years.
00:29:09
Speaker
I want to say what it is. Yeah. 11 years. I know. Because we got about immediately 30 days later, we were pregnant with Audrey. Oh my gosh. yeah Y'all just hit the go button.
00:29:22
Speaker
You hit the go button. I was like, we're having a baby. I thought it me a year and it took me 30 days. And I was like, ooh. That's insane. and So it was a wild thing to get back together.
00:29:33
Speaker
Yeah. Okay. So let's transition to Audrey. And I want to hear about like how you found out about her diagnosis and just what that was like. I think one of my favorite things about your content is just that you are so like real and raw about – everything that has to do with like being a mom to a child with but special needs. Like I think that you do a great job of speaking to like how a mom may be feeling. Like I remember in one of your like TikToks or um Instagram reels talking about like how angry you were the first couple of years. Like you talked about going to a pumpkin patch and like it not going well and you were just like –
00:30:14
Speaker
so angry of not being able to have like a normal. So I feel like a lot of moms aren't validated in that way of like how they may be feeling. So I'd love to just hear like yeah how she was diagnosed, if you saw any signs beforehand and just kind of like your feelings. Well, hindsight, I can see all of it, you know what saying? But at the time when I was in it, I saw none of it.
00:30:35
Speaker
So when Audrey was born, I was 24. We were severely in debt to the point where Bradley actually moved away five months later to Mishawaka, Indiana, um which is very, very far from us.
00:30:47
Speaker
And so that he could work and send money back because we were so poor because I couldn't have a job because I knew when she came out of the womb, was like, there's I'm gonna have a job. I mean, she screamed 24 seven and she didn't sleep.
00:30:59
Speaker
And I mean, she was just screaming. And I remember everyone told, you know, you hear the second kid's gonna give you a run for your money and all these things. So that's what I chopped it up as like the second kid has given me a run for my money. And I just knew, like, I think when I was, when my maternity leave was up, i was like, look, I'm not coming back because there's no way um in God's green earth I'm going to be able to do this.
00:31:16
Speaker
And so months later he moves. And so I'm by myself in this house with a six and a half, it so almost seven year old at this point, or actually she was seven, a seven year old and a newborn. Um, I am in severe postpartum depression, but I don't know I have postpartum depression because I didn't yeah really go through it but with, with Alex and I, nobody talked about it.
00:31:36
Speaker
And that, at that point in 2015, I wasn't very aware of it. Um, so I had severe postpartum depression. i didn't shower. I didn't clean. I didn't take Alex to school because I would be up for sometimes 24 hours at a time.
00:31:51
Speaker
Um, because she didn't sleep. And so I felt at that point, like I couldn't sleep when she was just like laying her bassinet because she was moving all the time.
00:32:01
Speaker
um Looking back, I know that people have different things that they think, you know, like autism is caused by this or it starts with this. I swear she was born with it because when she came out, like she was in my stomach constantly. Like it was honestly uncomfortable.
00:32:15
Speaker
And I was so miserable because she wouldn't stop moving in my stomach. And then when she came out as a newborn, I have videos her just constantly moving her head. And remember they were like, look at She's looking around. And I mean, she, her head would just go like this constantly and you'd have to hold it still.
00:32:30
Speaker
And so we were, I remember I was pretty, had to go to truancy court. I was very overweight, very dirty. The house was dirty.
00:32:42
Speaker
um And Bradley had come home for a day and he was just trying to like visit and see me and see the baby and all the things. And he wanted to take me on on like a date. And I just cried, like cried.
00:32:52
Speaker
I was like, I could not physically leave the house. And so my friend who at the time worked at my OBGYN was like, hey girl, you missed your appointment. I think I talked about this last night on Instagram, actually. And i was like, hey girl, you missed your appointment.
00:33:04
Speaker
And so I went to that appointment and she was like, you didn't have an appointment. Tell him what you're doing. Tell him how you feel. And I was also severely anemic to the point where he sent me to the ah ER because he was like, you got to get some fluids because you're severely, I don't know how you got here.
00:33:18
Speaker
um But at that point, I was a zombie. Like, I wasn't yeah functioning. Like, I would lose my keys for days and they'd be in the freezer. You know, be like, how did they even get to the freezer? And so, Bradley ended up moving home when she was about a year old.
00:33:33
Speaker
And... We were just doing the normal doctor's appointments. Right. I was struggling. I was it was a hot mess. Nobody really was like everyone kind of nobody said anything to me. Now, in hindsight, they they've all said like we my sister was like, look, I saw the signs, but I just didn't know say it, you know, because I don't know if she would have said it, how I would have taken it.
00:33:52
Speaker
because I was so mentally just not stable enough. And so I went to the doctor and she was just like, Hey, like, you know, the thing she did at 12 months, she's not doing it 14 months. So we're going to, we're going to keep track. We're going keep looking. And then when I went in again for I forgot it was like a sick appointment or something. She was like, I just want to talk to you about potential her potential, you know, maybe she has autism and it just clicked.
00:34:18
Speaker
Like when she said it, I was like, Oh, Like maybe she's not a bad kid. Cause at this point I chopped it up to her being a bad kid because she couldn't go anywhere. She would scream cause she couldn't transition. This is a normal thing with people with autism is they don't transition well.
00:34:31
Speaker
So like going from, you know, the gym to play to the back to the classroom, she would have a, hour and a half, sometimes two hour fit over just that transition. Um, and so i was just like, oh my gosh, like this started to make sense, but it was denial.
00:34:47
Speaker
And it was really hard because, you know, when she starts to tell you your kid has autism, you look it up. Like I said, all you see is doom and gloom. Like you're just looking around and you're not seeing anything that's like, yes, it's going to be different, but you're going to be able to live a happy, loving life. It is like, wow, it's going to suck.
00:35:02
Speaker
And, um, one day you're going to die and they're going to look for you out the window. And you're just like, Oh my God. So like, yeah. And especially when you're in postpartum, you're just like, oh what?
00:35:13
Speaker
um And so we ended up getting her diagnosed about six and a half months later. So when she was close 18 or so, or a little bit older than 18 months, um she got diagnosed with autism. And and they were like, she's the most severe level three.
00:35:28
Speaker
And they did, they had to look at me and they were like, she's never going to have a job. She's never going to live independently. She's never going to probably really have a lot of speed, like all these things. And when you ask like, well, how old will she mentally become?
00:35:40
Speaker
We don't know. It just really depends, you know? And that's also really hard. So like I said, like I say all the time, it's like I had to grieve who I thought she would be because when I was having a little girl, like I was like, Oh, Alex, you're going to, you know, you and her sister are going fight about clothes and you're going to do this and this and all these things.
Autism Journey: Grief to Celebration
00:35:57
Speaker
And that wasn't the case. which was really hard for me to swallow. And I was so angry. And there was a time where I became very angry and almost angry at her, which wasn't fair to her because we would go places and she would have a fit or we would just go to Walmart to buy groceries and something she would like triggered her that she wanted, but she couldn't have it.
00:36:20
Speaker
um Or something would just trigger her in general. And she would just start crying, having a fit. And I would just be so angry at her. Like, why are you doing this? Why are you doing this to me? Why are you doing this to me? You know? um And the pumpkin patch incident that is infamous. We have not been back since. I'll tell you that. um Was we went to the pumpkin patch two hours away.
00:36:39
Speaker
Crazy people we are. And it was just me and my sister, my niece, Alex and Audrey. And we had an umbrella stroller. And at this point, she was probably like two and a half, three, very active, running, like well lived her best life. Okay. Motor skills are all there.
00:36:54
Speaker
Like her motor skills are very intact. So that's not any delay. She doesn't walk on her toes or anything like that. um But she stood up with the stroller on her back. And she started running with the stroller on her back. Like I called her Hulk baby. We looked crazy because she's running, but she's like running down a hill. like So like she's catching speed going down the hill with the stroller.
00:37:16
Speaker
And then I am like running after her and like people are looking and I'm like sweating and um I'm trying to manage, you know, this pumpkin patch, which is overwhelming and too much for her. But I'm The oldest wants to be at the pumpkin patch and she wants to do all these things. So it's like, I can't cut it short because the oldest deserves to also be this pumpkin patch and have fun.
00:37:36
Speaker
And so it was just very stressful. It was one of those times where I was like, we cannot do things that everybody else can do. And that also started to really piss me off and make me angry. um And in that stage, I was still so angry at her.
00:37:48
Speaker
Like, great. Well, I don't get to go to this pumpkin patch and I, your sister, and um you know, canadadada and because Alex then had to start doing a lot of things with my family because I could not go with her. um And Audrey was so much to handle at that little age that most people didn't watch her.
00:38:04
Speaker
So it was only I that watched her because she was so much to handle. i mean, she was, but when she was little, she was crazy. Okay. Like she was on tables, like you couldn't have chairs. She would push a chair up to a door, try to open it, try to get out. So like, she was a lot to handle. You always had to be eyes on ready, you know, at all times. so And so went to that grieving stage. And I remember one day i blew up on her in a books a million parking lot.
00:38:27
Speaker
And I mean, I was screaming. I was so mad. And I don't remember what she melted down about, but I was so mad at her. and i was i was sobbing. I was yelling. um And I looked over and little Joe Dirt was sobbing, like just sobbing. And she was like, it's okay. Like, and then it hit me.
00:38:43
Speaker
if I stayed this angry at her, what, nothing is, nothing's going to get better. And I'm not honestly doing everybody a disservice. And I was like, this anger is within me and I need to figure out what's wrong with me.
00:38:55
Speaker
And so that was when I kind of started change my perspective. And I was like, we can't, we can't live like this forever. You know, like we just can't. um And so I started to be like, when I would get angry, I'd be like, we're going to take a minute. And I found this page on YouTube called fathering autism and they have a daughter. She's older. She's probably Alex's age.
00:39:13
Speaker
um and she has a daughter with autism and they their motto was, it's not a bad day, it's a bad moment. And that hit me and I was like, wow, because we have lots of moments, but overall it's not bad. It's just the moments throughout the day.
00:39:27
Speaker
And so i would be like, wow, okay. And so I started to use that motto, it's not a bad day, it's a bad moment. And that started to change my perspective entirely. And I just started to just slowly as it would come, like things would happen and I would give less attention uh cares about if it didn't go my way I would be like you know what instead of being mad that we got there didn't work out i'd be like you know what we tried we tried it didn't work out like that's that's good and I would be like thank you for trying yeah you know like thank you for trying and it also changed the way that Joe Dirt um I know I flip I flip back and forth calling or Alex and Joe Dirt but um and I'm like I do that all the time when talk like flip flip flip and people are what's her name I'm like sorry I got it now Yeah. um But and it changed the way that she looked at it, too, because, you know, at that time she was mimicking me.
00:40:13
Speaker
So if I was angry, she was mad. They're sponges at that point. They're just like. And she would, i would notice like she wouldn't, she would just go up to Audrey and she'd be good job, Audrey. you've really tried. We're so proud of you.
00:40:24
Speaker
And then I noticed, i was like, we have got to all get on that bus. And that has made our life so much easier, so much more peaceful. Like she was, she would tear our house up. Okay.
00:40:35
Speaker
Like when I tell you she would get a marker, a pencil, a crayon, whatever. And I mean, she would color walls. Um, and there would be a moment where I would want to get angry and i would just look at it and I'd be like, Well, that's wild.
00:40:46
Speaker
You know, that's wild. But I'm just going clean it up. And all my friends were like, you medicated? I'm like, I'm not medicated. That's the level I'm at right now. i just am like...
00:40:58
Speaker
Yeah. I'm just like, dead in my life okay. Like it it happens. Like I don't buy clothes. You know how when, when Alex was little and would buy really cute clothes, I'd be like don't mess that up. Don't mess that up. You know what I'm saying? And yeah with her, I'm like, if I buy something cute, I don't have the expectation. it's going to stay clean.
00:41:14
Speaker
I know it's going get dirty and I don't care because guess what? She's having a good time. She's living her best life. I'm happy. Everybody else is happy. I just don't care. So it took a long time to get to that state that you see me at now.
00:41:26
Speaker
And that's why when I saw videos on the internet that was so doom and gloom, I was like, maybe if I just show little snippets of our life and our week, you know, throughout people can see that like, yes, our life is different and people can see that our life is different.
00:41:39
Speaker
You know, um, the, really the only place we get to go in the summers is the Sam's club. Um, we'd be there. The, the ladies behind the counter, they know us by name. Okay. They know us by name. When I am walking up, they're like, Hey,
00:41:51
Speaker
and they're getting our two slices of cheese you know like they know exactly what we're doing so like our life is different and we don't get to do like she doesn't get birthday party invites she doesn't do youth sports like she's not going to be involved once Alex is out of school there's not going to be that like oh well she has prom and she has you know this and this going on at her school and these things kind of things that's not going to be what it is but she's still going to be happy and healthy and loved and so I'm like We just have to change our perspective on how we yeah we look at things.
00:42:22
Speaker
So it has been a journey. And I always tell people, I'm like, just give yourself the time to mourn what you thought was going to there. And there's nothing wrong with being upset about what you thought was going to be.
00:42:34
Speaker
And then that'll give you the the mind to just accept what you have now. And it's real. And once you get over that hump, it's, you're just like, you look at things like small things in our life, you know, like you started to use like four to six word sentences.
00:42:48
Speaker
And that's a big deal for us. So like when she does it and she asks with her words, I'm like, let's go girl. Like, sure. yeah You want Sam's club? Okay, let's go. get in the car. Like throw the shoes you know?
00:43:00
Speaker
Believe me, the last place I want to go is the Sam's club. Yeah. Okay. Like we're the biggest supporters. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Now I want to talk about, i mean, you we've kind of already talked about it, but I think like one of the things that I love about your content is just like how you make everything so funny and your unhinged takes on life and motherhood.
Comedic Influences and Parenting Teens
00:43:28
Speaker
it is like so my brand of humor. just am so obsessed with the way that you can like take a situation um and make it so funny and whatever. I think you want to know who are some of your like comedic people that you look up to or like some people, like some personalities that you love even. too The two that I look up to are Jackie Schimmel.
00:43:54
Speaker
Like I love Jackie Schimmel. um Big fan of Jackie Schimmel. And then I also love Heather McMahon. Like those two – Yeah. So like Heather McMahon, I found a long time ago, like when Instagram kind of like before COVID that kind of start. yeahp um And then want to say, I want to say it was like 2016, 2018 was when I found Heather McMahon.
00:44:15
Speaker
And I was like, I'm obsessed with her. Yeah. Like I'm, I'm obsessed with her. Like if you go back, okay, you could literally see where I was like, when I used to do wedding makeup, where I messaged her. I was like, I could do your makeup. Thank God she never said yes. Cause I probably would have her pink eye.
00:44:29
Speaker
But, um, like I just love her. And then I say cocaine, like cocaine. Yes. Yes. I only have like two friends that are like, follow her. And so when I was like, I want to be on Heather McMahon's podcast, I would tell like my, my best friend. and she was like, know who that is.
00:44:44
Speaker
And I was like, this is your stepping stone. Yeah, yeah. We're going to get you on Heather McMahon. Okay. Yes. Yes. I'm like, Candace and Whitney got me here. They got me here. We got you. You got to understand. We got you.
00:44:56
Speaker
And then Jackie Schimmel, I found through Heather McMahon. And I love Jackie Schimmel because everything's like real dry. You know, like she's not scared to like insult you to your face. You know, I love that because I'm like, yes, because i I, feel like I have two personalities. There's always like me with my kids, which me with me just around the house is my like what you see where I'm like being outrageous.
00:45:16
Speaker
But like when I'm with my, like I'm like trying to be a mother, like that's a completely different side. always had the Babs page is more of my personality, like where the outrageous thoughts, like where I say like, you know,
00:45:27
Speaker
um what was to my cute that one went real crazy and I was like i didn't even think that was funny like I literally was like to my cute bowl of cinnamon roll and everyone's like to my and I'm like was it that funny I'm like okay thanks um Thank you. But I didn't know that on the Babs page, I have such young followers.
00:45:46
Speaker
So Alex um was like, people are coming up to me because it used to be Becky. I used to have an alternative. I love to name myself. Okay. I think I have a bipolar issue, but I used to be Becky with the fried hair and that was more like redneck, you know, or I was like, yeah, my grandfather got ate by a dog, you know, and like, that's a real story. And I would, you know, bury things like that. And Alex was coming up to me and she was like,
00:46:10
Speaker
I have people once a day come up to me and be like, oh, my God, is Becky with the fried hair your mom? Oh, my God. I'm like, shut up. And then my niece, because when I changed myself to Babs, because I said I am refined. I am a grown woman.
00:46:23
Speaker
I am Babs. um When i changed myself to Babs, my niece was like, I am at cheer camp right now. And the girl beside me has your videos on and she has no idea that you're my aunt. And she has been turned up to 10.
00:46:35
Speaker
And then her best friend is like obsessed with me to the point where I did like this little collaboration with a cinnamon roll. And it said to my cute on it, you know, and she gave it to her. And this girl's like, 13, by the way. That's so funny. And she's like, we gave it to her for her birthday and she like freaked out. She was like, oh my God. And I was like, cute how embarrassing is your daughter? is your daughter like cool with you creating content or is she like, mom, like, please chill?
00:47:02
Speaker
In the beginning it was, she doesn't, she really didn't care. um She was, it was no biggie, like whatever. But the more recognized I get, the less she's like, She doesn't care about it, but she's like, I don't, she's not a social media person. Like she's not making TikToks. She's not posting Instagram pictures and stories and things like that.
00:47:22
Speaker
So it's very humbling. Okay. To have somebody who's so disconnected almost and could give, just could care less about the internet. yeah like It kind of keeps you humble, right?
00:47:32
Speaker
It is very humbling. Like it's going to keep you humble because I was like, Oh my God. Like I remember I got up, I screamed. I Oh, Kylie Kelsey just followed me. And she went, I saw that. She went, who?
00:47:44
Speaker
And I was like, Kylie Kelsey. And she said, and don't know who that is. And I was like, Alexandria. I was like, Taylor Swift's boyfriend's brother's wife. And he she was like she was like, oh, okay, yeah, that's cool.
00:48:01
Speaker
And I was like- okay I will go fuck myself thank you yeah you know like so she's like I really don't care and she's not in a ton of it anymore because she's never home but like you know she told me you know she was like one of the admins at her school uh we're like oh my god love your mom blah blah and she was like so I just really played into it and I got to pick out my locker and my parking spot yeah honestly oh yes yeah you're welcome so she can just care less about it like she's like I don't care she just like when I was like I got a bloom partnership she was like
00:48:33
Speaker
Okay. Like this is a big deal. I'm like, yeah okay. Yeah. No, cool. See you later. So, so I also have two girls, but obviously mine are like much younger. I have a three-year-old and an 18 month old, but I am always so conscious of,
00:48:50
Speaker
or not even conscious is right word, but I'm like always thinking about my relationship with them as they get older. i'm curious as to like how your relationship has been in the teenage years and what do you hope your relationship will continue to be like with oh goodness your daughter as she gets older? I've always been like very obsessed with our relationship. Like I tell her all the time, like no one is more obsessed with you than me.
00:49:17
Speaker
Okay. I'm obsessed with you. It's unhealthy. It's literally unhealthy. um And I tell her, I'm like, nobody wants you to do better. than me. Like, I want you to be better than me. I want you to do all the things better. Like I want you to have all the things.
00:49:29
Speaker
Um, so in the early years, like when she started to become like 11 and 12, there was, she went through just like that really awkward stage. It was really difficult. We just changed school. So that was difficult time. And then when she was like 14 to 16, we were able to like really have a really close bond, like where she could just tell me whatever. Cause I've always been like, just tell me whatever.
00:49:47
Speaker
Like, yeah, you will tell me i will not be upset. But if I hear it somebody else. Yeah, that's how hope to be. Oh, maybe I'm going to bring my whole redneck ass all the way out. He's always like, I know, I know. And I'm like, I have eyes everywhere.
00:49:59
Speaker
I actually intentionally do not tell her ah people I know because they'll be like, I see her. She's here and here. And I'm like, okay, is she doing what she's supposed to? You know what I'm saying? like And and ill I'll be like, so-and-so said you're here. And she's like, how do you know? what i'm like, you don't need to know.
00:50:12
Speaker
Just know what. Like I'm always looking. And then 17, 17 is a harder year for us because it's that – really push for the independence, but you're not fully independent.
00:50:25
Speaker
So it's that like push and pull currently is where we're at. So it's been the harder year so far, like of all the years of parenting her, 17 has been our hardest year because she thinks she's an adult. She wants to do adult things and she can do some things independently, but then she's not paying for it independently. You know what saying? Right.
00:50:44
Speaker
She doesn't have the mind of an adult. So it's like that push and pull is where we're at. And we're still really close. It's just, we have moments where sometimes she'll really start to act like me, you know? And then I get like real snippy and then she'll just have like a deadpan voice.
00:50:59
Speaker
And I'm like, oh, well, I'll just, I'll just, whatever. I'll just walk away, whatever. You don't even talk to me. And she's like, I'm literally talking to you. Like, so it's one of those things, like at 17, it's been our hardest year so far because she's fully ready. Like, or she feels like she's fully ready to leave.
00:51:13
Speaker
And she wants to go. yeah It's going to be so interesting when I get to that point because I feel like if Alice started to act like me a little bit, I don't know whether I'd be like proud or disgusted. There were times where I would be like, yes, girl. Like I'd see her do something. i'm like, yeah, you got it. And then like the attitude would come out that I have and I would be like arguing with her and then it would just dawn on me that like, this is me. Yeah. And I would just kind of be like annoyed with myself.
00:51:42
Speaker
I know. be annoyed with myself, but I'd be like, great. You're like, great. You taught her this. Junior and senior year is tough. Like you're ready to go. Yeah. Yeah. And I know she's ready. So I tell her all the time, like, I know I'm more of in that it's not so much like a parenting as it is more of like ah a counselor, a guide for you, but at the same time, you're not an adult.
00:52:03
Speaker
So I always tell her you have a say in all everything, but your wellbeing and your safety. Yeah. And if I feel as if your wellbeing and your safety are a problem, I will step in and I take 100% control.
00:52:14
Speaker
I was like, but you can always say your opinion, but when it comes to your wellbeing and your safety, like she, I've been really lucky with her. Like she's never been a kid that was like going out. Like I was actually, i would always have to push her to go out. I'd be like, go, go, yeah, go to so-and-so's house, go to that house party. You know mean? Bradley be like, yeah, go to the bonfires, you know? And she just like, I have no interest in that.
00:52:34
Speaker
And I'm like, no, go like, and like, I would, I remember she went to one house. Oh, I was face down. I was face down. If my mom was like, yeah, go to the, go to the bonfire. I would have never came home.
00:52:46
Speaker
Okay. would have been like, no, give me a four pack of Smirnoffs. And I'm going tear the bonfire all the way up. And so like that's kind of where we're at. It's it's different. And it's one of those things. I don't really have friends who have teenagers.
00:52:57
Speaker
I have like two friends who have teenagers. So I have to really lean on them. And I know every teenager is different and every person is different, I lean on them and be like, so what did you do? So like, yeah, yeah, yeah. they're like, girl, just it's a rough one, but you've just got to understand that you just let them make the mistakes, let them make the mistakes.
00:53:16
Speaker
And so I always tell her now, I'm like, you tell me beforehand, before you start talking, if you want guidance or if you just want to vent. Because my problem is so much as I'm like, she'll start talking and I'll be like, yes, no, what you should do is, well, no, you should do that. No, what should do is, and then I'm like, I catch myself and then she's just like, well, okay, nevermind. And then I'm like, oh, my God. You know, so I'm like really trying to get better at just letting her talk.
00:53:36
Speaker
And even if I know she's making the wrong mistake, just let her make it. Yeah, because as moms, i'm like it's our natural instinct to want to fix things that they're having problems with. But sometimes like you can't fix what's happening in school or with teenagers. and You kind of just got to let it be. thinks I don't know what i'm talking about.
00:53:55
Speaker
You know, like every teenager, like when my mom told me things, was like, she don't know what she's talking about. You know? Yeah. She don't know what she's talking about. And looking back, I'm like, okay, maybe she did have some sense, you know, but yeah I wasn't going listen either way. And she's very much like me. Like if once it's in her head, she's going to do it how she wants it.
00:54:10
Speaker
And so now I'm just learning to let her do it. And when she messes up and she has, like, she's done some things like, and like, she just thinks she's an adult, you know, like she's going to the doctor by herself. She doesn't know what a social security number is.
00:54:22
Speaker
You know, like she's pulling out paperwork and she's not asking, like she's leaving, not paying co-pays and things like that. And like, baby, if you want to be an adult, you have to act like one. And so you need to take the responsibility to do these things and to think of these things before you get there. And I'm like, that just goes to show you just need a little bit more guidance.
00:54:37
Speaker
And she's like, I don't need guidance. I'm like, yes, you Yes, you
Future Aspirations and Personal Preferences
00:54:40
Speaker
do. So it's that weird stage. It's a weird, it's a weird stage, but I'm excited for it. Like I'm excited for her to go. Like I, you know, she wants to be an engineer.
00:54:48
Speaker
And so like, that's why we went to Auburn because they have a really good engineering program. ye And I'm like, yes, girl, like me and Bradley are like, if you don't want to go to college, at least go for like one year just to get that experience to like see other people and how other people, I feel like it just opens you up to so much more than what's in your bubble, you know?
00:55:04
Speaker
Yeah. And i I want her to go like up north. I'm like, no girl, go, go far. Yeah. Go see other things. Like don't stay here. Is she interested in Purdue at all because of Indiana, the tight Indiana? It's funny that you say that. Um, Bradley's uncle went to Purdue.
00:55:19
Speaker
And when I tell you. My husband went to Purdue. Yeah. They're big Purdue fans. And i was where I was like, go there. And she was like, am I smart enough for that? I was like, I think, you know, I'm like, you're so smart. And she's like, you just think I'm smart.
00:55:29
Speaker
But am I really smart enough? No. yeah it's so It's like known for its engineering. It's so good. Also, lots of guys there. lots of It's a male heavy school, I think. Oh, my gosh. um Yeah.
00:55:43
Speaker
yeah Um, we're going to wrap up with just some like rapid and fire questions. So my first, and I actually don't have this written down, but as you were talking, I wanted to know what's your sign.
00:55:55
Speaker
Sagittarius. Oh, interesting. I thought you would be like a fiery, I don't know. i thought you'd be like Sagittarius. We're 28th.
00:56:05
Speaker
I think it is a fire sign. Oh, is it not? Yeah, I think it is. i'm I'm talking like on some. I just want you know that I don't know things like that when people are like, well, the Southern moon and the Northern bubble. I'm like, I know what we're talking about But I'm just like, yes, girl. don't either.
00:56:20
Speaker
I don't know, but I am intrigued by it always. I'm a Capricorn. yeah so See, like one of Alex's friends is really into that. And she's like, well, you're moon rising and this, there, and that. and I'm like, have idea what she talks about. I just go, yeah, girl.
00:56:30
Speaker
When's your month? Yeah. November 28th.
00:56:34
Speaker
Cause I have a friend, she's a Scorpio and she's in November, but like I hit the line where she's Scorpio and I'm Sagittarius. um yay Yeah. go too I'm on October 30th. We're like, we were born a month apart. nice besting nice Okay.
00:56:47
Speaker
If you had to host a brunch with four other celebrities or people, who would you invite? And they'd be dead. Yes. Dead or alive. Princess Diana, Betty White, Queen Elizabeth,
00:57:00
Speaker
hu And who else, who else, who else? Robert Pattinson. I love Twentish. It's like a wild card. It's like the other three like make sense. And then there's Robert Pattinson. Well, I want to ask, I want to get Diana and Elizabeth in the same room to figure out if they think that they killed each other. You know I'm I want to get that aspect. Betty White, I'm obsessed.
00:57:23
Speaker
I'm obsessed with Robert Pattinson. Maybe because I've always told Bradley that if he died, croaked, saw the days where he had to see the sun, I would find Robert Pattinson in a heartbeat and be like, it's been me and you forever.
00:57:36
Speaker
Do you watch the Gilded Age, by the way? Yes. I literally, okay, we literally, I got so excited. Yes, because I love this show. And Bradley was watching the latest episode with me, which was like cliffhanger. And then he was like asking me questions. And I said, literally looked at him i said, don't you shut the fuck up and let's watch season one, episode one. And we stayed up until 2 a.m. this morning watching the Gilded Age season one.
00:57:55
Speaker
Okay, I've never seen it. I gotta start. It's so good. I'm obsessed. By the people you're naming, I was like, that's a Gilded Age gal. If there is a period drama, honey, please know that I am 100%. And every time Bridgerton comes up, I'm like, I should be in Bridgerton. I was going to be Bridgerton. You would be good. You'd be good. I've always wanted to be on something like Southern Charm because I'm like, let me be on that. That's what your accent Southern Charm means. Oh my God, thank you. I'm like, what is that Mormon Wife shows? I don't watch it, but I get compared to that Whitney girl. They say I look like her. And I'm like, well, if Whitney's that. I like Whitney's pretty. Oh my God. See, I think Whitney's pretty, but I don't think I look like her.
00:58:32
Speaker
Like when I look at Whitney, I don't see me. You know what I'm saying? I don't see it either. Maybe it's the hair. I don't know. Maybe it's the hair. And so I said, told Bradley, I was like, if I could be on a show, okay, right now, Southern Charm.
00:58:44
Speaker
Or the Mormon wives. Even though i'm not Mormon. um I feel like I could go on there. well honestly, neither are they. a lot of them. Honestly. Oh, right. I'm like, I'm down. I'm down just be on reality TV show.
00:58:55
Speaker
Okay. What is your go-to cocktail? When I did drink, it was a sex on the beach. Okay. if So if you were like, girl, a sex on the beach, I can't, I hate the taste of alcohol.
00:59:09
Speaker
Like I cannot. Interesting. And the taste of alcohol. And so it has to be masked. And so like I have to – when I felt really dumb when I a 34-year-old, I'd be like, can I get a Sex on the Beach double?
00:59:20
Speaker
And they're looking at me like, bitch, a Sex on the Beach? A grown-ass woman with a Sex on the Beach? And i'm like, yes, you heard me say it. Now get it. I'm paying for it. Yeah, that that cocktail is like very like freshman year spring break. Yeah, yeah.
00:59:35
Speaker
load it and When I do a shot. Yeah. Oh, I love those. I love those. And when people are like, when people are like, what kind of shots are we doing? I'm like, lemon drop. And my friends are like, lemon drop. I'm like, do say it's all I can do. Honestly, I still like lemon drop. I'm like, I don't Yeah. If I had any straight alcohol, I literally throw up. I'm like, like but I can't, I'm like, I'm breaking out in a sweat. I'm like in hives. I'm like, I can do it.
00:59:58
Speaker
yeah do it ok If you could have only your hair done or only your makeup done every day, which would you choose? Always my hair. Yeah, I knew were going to say that. I will go without eyebrows. As long as I can do a skincare and have some hair, I i don't really care about it. But if my hair looks bad, I am pissed the fuck off.
01:00:16
Speaker
I agree. I'm the same. when If somebody's like, like oh, you want to go somewhere and my hair is wet? I'm like, no, bitch. Unless you've got an hour and a half. I won't leave my hair wet. not My mom, oh, no, my no, no, no. She would go so pissed I left my hair wet.
01:00:31
Speaker
Oh, baby. So that's the same way I am with Alex. like When she comes downstairs, I'm like, mm-mm, go do that hair. Yeah. And she's like, i i want i i I don't care. You look like you have recession roots. I grew up that way too. Do your hair. And so like she, I made her get her hair done. She was like, I don't want to get my hair done. I said, do you have recession roots.
01:00:47
Speaker
And I said, I am paying to get that hair done. and so She was like, oh session roots. Oh my God. That is so funny. Okay. My last question, which can be like longer. I know I said like rapid fire, but I, it is what would be your advice to moms who aren't feeling their best or feeling like they're lost their spark or humor?
01:01:08
Speaker
Well, I've done that multiple times. um yeah um My, my advice is always to do something for yourself, like to slowly do it cause you know, like people are like, go for a walk. Like when the fuck am I going to go for a walk when have a toddler?
01:01:19
Speaker
You know I'm
Self-Care and Humor in Parenthood
01:01:20
Speaker
saying? and So like when they, like my, what I started to do was how I got into skincare was when my child went to sleep because it was very rare that she slept or she slept in like weird intervals. I would just go and do something for myself. And I mean, all I wanted to do was doom scroll and lay on my phone, but I got up and I would be like, no bitch, you're going to the fuck up.
01:01:37
Speaker
you're going to go do your skincare. You know, even if it was just an under eye cream and a moisturizer, I would go in there and I'd wash my face. I do all that. And it would make me feel better. And it gave me more confidence in myself because I feel like as moms, you lose your confidence in yourself, like your ability to take care of a kid. Yes. But your ability to feel confident and like,
01:01:56
Speaker
pretty in yourself no and so that's why I'm like get up that's why you see me on Instagram i'm like get up bitch with the crusty dusty face let's do our skincare like it's gonna take five whole seconds and so that's what i always tell people like just give yourself five minutes for yourself and then you can go lay down and doom scroll or you can go take a nap or watch your favorite show like just do something for yourself for your body that'll make you feel better because I didn't know when I would leave the house I'm like had a dry, crusty ass face. My hair was pulled up in a clip. Like i had a stained up shirt.
01:02:26
Speaker
I felt so bad about myself. But when I would have a crusty, dusty shirt and some good skincare on, maybe i was feeling like a whole new bitch. Like you couldn't tell me like shining like the top of the crisis. I was like, that shirt might be stained, but this face is looking like glass.
01:02:41
Speaker
So don't at me. Yeah. So that's always my advice. Thank you so, so much for joining us. This has been so fun. um Next time we're in Alabama, like I will be calling you.
01:02:53
Speaker
I mean, I live really close to you. I'm like, should I come over? I'm in Nashville. Where are you? Oh my God. Yeah. I'm all the way in Florida, unfortunately. but I've torn up some Nashville. I drank some hot vodka shots and I showed my boobs to some old ladies. Yeah. Oh my God, that is so me-coated.
01:03:12
Speaker
That is so me. Because I had just got my breast lift, okay? So like where they like did the whole thing. Like they take the they take the titties all the way apart, you know what saying? And I had scars. And so I got drunk one time showed my boobs and then it became a hyper fixation every time I got drunk so to show my boobs, which is not something you should do, by the way.
01:03:30
Speaker
And so like, I was just like, do you want to see my That's And like this old lady was like, what scars? And I just showed up, yanked my titty out and like lifted it up and was like, look at it right here. Wait, say also a breast lift is 100% in my future. going to be messaging you about that. I need to know everything.
01:03:49
Speaker
Well, i thought it was the most painful thing i've ever done. And my sister did it. And she was like, you were just being a big baby. And I was like, wait, are you a natural? You're a natural redhead.
01:04:00
Speaker
Yes. Okay. You know, redheads have the lowest pain tolerance. highest yeah I thought it was highest. Well, they have to give me more anesthesia too. I think you're wrong.
01:04:13
Speaker
I think it's highest because they have to give me more anesthesia yeah to put me to sleep. Like ah they have to ask me, is this natural red? Because then they have to give me more anesthesia because I don't know something with this fucking hair color. Okay. I'm seeing, I'm seeing.
01:04:26
Speaker
You see her a little ralph. It says some studies suggesting a higher pain tolerance while others indicate increased sensitivity to certain. I had two C-sections and walked out of the bitch. Okay. No problems.
01:04:39
Speaker
Okay. But you took these Yiddies from here to here and then you made me massage them. um yeah. In tears crying. And my sister was like, it's really not that bad. I was like on pain pills for three days, like just knocked out sleeping. And my sister was like a day later, 24 hours when she shouldn't be just driving to work. And she was like, it wasn't that bad. I'm not even on pain meds.
01:04:59
Speaker
And she does not have red hair, by the way. She is just interesting. We have different dads. Long story. I don't know. Different dads. Did okay with it, too. Yeah. Yeah. But mine were hanging.
01:05:10
Speaker
Like you mine were. my Oh, mine are hanging. I was like the queen of the big titty committee. Oh, see, mine were small and long. small and long And that's not a combo you want. Okay.
01:05:23
Speaker
That's not a combo. You want a small and long. And they were just like, you what I'm saying? Like thin, thin, like a pancake was hung up in that thing. Like thin. Oh my God. And so people were like, how can they be small and long at the same time? it so You asked that question, but I could have showed you. Actually, funny enough, I did show by accident Audrey's teacher because Audrey took her iPad to school and my code with the hidden album was the same code.
01:05:47
Speaker
Okay. The same code as the fucking... app to get into the passcode. And so Audrey just took 12-12 that hoe, and the teacher sent me a picture and was like, hey...
01:05:58
Speaker
ah Do you want me to delete this off her iPad? And by the way, the iPad's a big one. And it was my titties before, my titties right after, and my titties like after recovery. so it was like Franken titties. Like they were like bruised and taped and everything. And I was like this.
01:06:11
Speaker
I lied. was like, those aren't my titties. They were like, sure, Dan. Sure. And then later on, I was like, those were my boobs. Yeah. that's And she was like, I knew they were. I knew they were hers. And I was like, damn it.
01:06:24
Speaker
My God. But I don't take nudes on my phone. i will say that. I don't, I'm not a nude girl. Like I'm not popping out a puss for a photo. Like you want to see it, come see it in person. I'm not popping it out. But that was the only photo I ever had in that private album. And I deleted it and I was like, I never want to see that shit again.
Conclusion and Farewell
01:06:39
Speaker
like Yeah.
01:06:40
Speaker
um The whole classroom saw that. Oh my God. Yeah. ah All right. Well, thank you so much for joining us. This has been so fun. We will be calling you if we're ever in Alabama again. If you're ever here.
01:06:52
Speaker
Where can people follow you? We should end with that. Instagram, it's Rebecca Sue Watson. And then TikTok is also Rebecca Sue Watson. But if you want to see my alter ego that I don't post on very much because I get a little embarrassed that say crazy things over there.
01:07:07
Speaker
um It's Babs with the fried hair 205. two of five Because I fried my hair off one time.
01:07:15
Speaker
All right. Well, thank you so, so much. Thank you so much for being a part of our mom group chat. New episodes drop every Tuesday. And don't forget, the group chat is blowing up on our Instagram page. So make sure you're following along over there.
01:07:28
Speaker
All right. Got to go. My toddler just put something in her mouth.