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Gabriella Johnson is known for her authenticity. In her frank writings and engaging social media presence, the 49-year-old actress has tackled numerous challenging topics: from divorce and therapy to her journey through surrogacy and navigating a blended family that includes a spirited toddler and a socially conscious teenager. Therefore, it’s no surprise that when we discussed the exhaustion of parenting during the pandemic, she held nothing back. While actively acting and producing (her latest project, the reboot of “Family Matters,” is now streaming), she is also managing a curl care line, a children’s snack brand, and her new baby skincare line, NurtureRight, which was created with Black and brown children in mind. (That’s right—she’s supporting four households!)
For our blog, Gabriella squeezed in a Zoom chat with Jordan Carter, a New York Times bestselling author known for the children’s book “Parker Looks Up.”
Jordan Carter:
You seem to have so much on your plate. How are you managing parenting during the pandemic along with your multiple projects?
Gabriella Johnson:
I’m working from home, and my Zoom calls start at 9 a.m. and can stretch until 6 or 7 p.m. By the time I’m done, I’m completely wiped out. But then it’s bath time and storytime, and I’ve missed everything else. I have to pull myself together and be present for those moments, but it often comes with guilt because I thought working from home would mean I’d see them more. I see them physically, but they feel like shadows sometimes.
Jordan Carter:
How do you balance everything?
Gabriella Johnson:
I actually support three other households beyond my own, so I can’t afford to step back and be as present as I want. I have to fit therapy into whatever spare time I can find to manage my guilt and anxiety. My support system—my sisters, my niece, my mom, and my husband’s mom—plays a huge role. My mom adopted three kids at 60, and they’re like my siblings now. It’s all hands on deck. I even moved my little sister in to help out. We have nannies, but it’s a lot. The kids have cheer, dance, karate—you name it—while we juggle work and maintain our own mental health. I drop the ball constantly and just hope everyone understands, like I try to understand them.
Jordan Carter:
I can relate. My family gives me a hard time about having a nanny too. Why is there this idea that moms have to struggle to prove they’re doing a good job?
Gabriella Johnson:
My dad constantly gives me a hard time about it. I remind him that he used to drop me off at my grandparents’ house with a can of SpaghettiOs for the day and didn’t come back until after work. So, if he relied on family help, that’s fine, but if I pay for certified childcare, I’m a bad parent? It’s absurd.
Jordan Carter:
How did NurtureRight, your new baby skincare line, come about?
Gabriella Johnson:
When my daughter was just a month or two old, she developed a severe diaper rash. I reached out to my mom friends, mainly moms of color, and they brushed it off as nothing. But I was concerned. When I spoke with my white friends about diaper rash, their experiences sounded different. I realized that many skin issues disproportionately affect families of color. So, I consulted my cousin, a pediatrician, and she emphasized that our products must be developed and led by Black dermatologists to truly meet our community’s needs.
Jordan Carter:
How does your relationship with your mom influence your parenting?
Gabriella Johnson:
I try to recall my teenage years to relate better to my daughter, Zaya. I remember what worked and what didn’t with my mom. When I worry about Zaya spending too much time in her room, I remind myself that I didn’t share everything either. But I wish my mom had checked in on me more. Now, seeing my mom at 75 trying to navigate social media, I appreciate her evolution and understand her more deeply.
Jordan Carter:
How do you manage raising daughters with different ages and emotional needs?
Gabriella Johnson:
The age gap between my kids allows us to avoid clustering our parenting style. With the older two, we learned from our previous mistakes. Kaav is our only child that we parent together without additional adults involved, so we can focus solely on her. Zaya has more input in her upbringing now, which is something we never thought to do with the older kids.
Jordan Carter:
How is your family handling the current legislative challenges facing trans children?
Gabriella Johnson:
Zaya is very aware of these issues. Our entire family, including our broader support network, stays informed about how to protect our kids. We can’t afford to ignore these realities, as they impact our lives every day. We have open conversations about these matters, as knowledge is a powerful tool for advocacy.
Jordan Carter:
Has Zaya inspired you to take any fashion risks?
Gabriella Johnson:
Zaya’s fashion sense is incredible; she really owns her style. She tries to express herself on weekends when she’s not restricted by school uniforms. She’s had opportunities for modeling, but her focus remains on school. It’s refreshing to see her set boundaries and prioritize what matters to her.
Jordan Carter:
What instills such confidence in her?
Gabriella Johnson:
We do bedtime affirmations with Kaav. I discovered positive affirmations during the pandemic, and they’ve helped us tremendously. We tell her how loved and supported she is, and we end with a playful exchange from “Old School,” which brings us closer.
Jordan Carter:
You and Eric seem to have a strong partnership. What keeps the spark alive?
Gabriella Johnson:
We have a group date night with friends every Saturday when we can. We enjoy drives, listen to music, and try to find moments to connect. We even slow dance in the bathroom sometimes. It’s all about little joys together.
For more on home insemination, check out our other blog post here, and for reliable resources, visit IVF Babble, an excellent site for those considering pregnancy options. If you’re looking for guidance on home insemination kits, Make A Mom has some great information as well.
SEO Summary
In this article, we delve into Gabriella Johnson’s experiences as a busy mom balancing her career and family life. From discussing her new baby skincare line, NurtureRight, to the challenges of parenting in a blended family, she shares her insights on the importance of community support, open conversations about critical issues, and the role of affirmations in building confidence in her daughters.