The July Issue // Friendships & Family // The D-Word
The D-Word: What No One Talks About
In today’s world, non-traditional families are more the norm than “normal” families. Families come in all shapes and sizes and mine is no exception. I talk about this in my From Me To You this month. When I was only six years old, my parents told me and my brother that they were getting a divorce. My six year old mind didn't really understand, so I was okay with it. My brother, on the other hand, did not deal with it well since he is older and understood more of what was going to happen. But while growing up as a child of divorced parents wasn’t always easy, it also wasn’t all bad. We spent weekdays with my Ma and weekends with my Daddy, which allowed for me to have the best of both worlds! Come on, who doesn’t want two birthdays and two Christmases?!
What my six year old brain could understand is that my parent’s were much happier living separately. I was still able to have fun with both of them. My family is a huge part of my personal and professional life. My Ma was my manager at first - but not like one of those scary Mom managers, she kept me sane and safe. But then we'd still have our little fights where she'd storm out of the house, and then we'd call each other laughing hysterically. And after that, she launched my business, Bankable. Ma still looks over some of the business aspects. My Dad joined the business many years later as the Chief Information Officer, and he ran (and also still runs) all the computer stuff. They are still involved with the companies and work together to watch over my business. So even though they couldn't LIVE together under one roof, they sure can WORK together under one roof.
Do you have a non-traditional family? Are your parent’s divorced? Are you raised by a single parent? Or have two Moms or two Dads? Let Tyra.com in on the scoop!
Tyra,i was born out of wedlock,my mom had me at 17..and she had a hard time while pregnate.i grow up with my mothers aunt,while my mom went back to school,my grandparents wanted nothing to do with me,my dad comes to see ... moreTyra,i was born out of wedlock,my mom had me at 17..and she had a hard time while pregnate.i grow up with my mothers aunt,while my mom went back to school,my grandparents wanted nothing to do with me,my dad comes to see me once a month.or when ever he could but all in all i can say they did all they could and i love them for that.the only thing i miss is having to know who my parents really are inside and out.
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My parents got divorced when I was about three. I don't really remember them telling me about it, only that they fought a lot.
Yeah I can understand that not so much divorce but my mother raised me alone and I honestly only seen my real father once in my whole life plus moving around to different homes different people raising me when I was take ... moreYeah I can understand that not so much divorce but my mother raised me alone and I honestly only seen my real father once in my whole life plus moving around to different homes different people raising me when I was takena away from her for a year. So I guess I'm as non traditional as they come lol. Also I don't know if you personally read these but my mother mentioned that he's name is Charles Banks. I don't know if there's any relation probibly not but I would love to get to know he's side of the family some day. Email me if he is fimiliar to you if you have the time
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You are blessed to have a family that can work on their relationship with you. I never knew my dad and my mom passed away in the year 2008. She was never really there for me. She left me at the age of 9 months and came b ... moreYou are blessed to have a family that can work on their relationship with you. I never knew my dad and my mom passed away in the year 2008. She was never really there for me. She left me at the age of 9 months and came back into my life when I was 11. I forgave her though because I was in love with her and I was grateful that she apologized for leaving me. I would do anything to get her back.
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Thanks for sharing this Tyra. I am recently divorced from my husband. My two girls 12 and 10 and my boys are 8 and 4. Of course we've been separated over a year and a half and apart for nine months. In many ways things ... moreThanks for sharing this Tyra. I am recently divorced from my husband. My two girls 12 and 10 and my boys are 8 and 4. Of course we've been separated over a year and a half and apart for nine months.
In many ways things are so much more peaceful but I can';t help wondering if I'm doing what is best for my kids. I reason that if I were to stay with their daddy I would have to die inwardly and I doubt I would be a very good mother like that or a good example. I mean, if my kids grow up and marry someone and realize they made a big mistake I wouldn't want them to "stick it out" and be miserable.
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BY THE WAY YOUR MOTHER IS SO AMAZING AND BRAVE TO KEEP YOU AND YOUR BROTHER TO HER SIDE.(JUST LIKE MY MOTHER!!!!!) was about 7 years old when my parent divorce at first its oky because i dont actually understand it but l ... moreBY THE WAY YOUR MOTHER IS SO AMAZING AND BRAVE TO KEEP YOU AND YOUR BROTHER TO HER SIDE.(JUST LIKE MY MOTHER!!!!!) was about 7 years old when my parent divorce at first its oky because i dont actually understand it but like what you said how can two person live together if they were not happy?? so i easy accept it.im living with my dad(the only thing i can called mine!!!) his my every thing same as my mother....it was hard but i need to live away from my mother...its hurts alot when i think about it,, in fact i m crying right now(^_^)but its oky im happy when my family are happy to...
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i couldn't agree more i grew up in a" normal" family and we were SCREWED up .i have 3 kids and a step son we r a blended family and though we have our issues we are a FAMILY in every sense of the word i wouldn't change a ... morei couldn't agree more i grew up in a" normal" family and we were SCREWED up .i have 3 kids and a step son we r a blended family and though we have our issues we are a FAMILY in every sense of the word i wouldn't change a thing
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My parents got divorced when I was 14, and it was really hard to deal with at the time. I have an older brother and sister who were both already in college, so it was just me at home dealing with everything. Looking back ... moreMy parents got divorced when I was 14, and it was really hard to deal with at the time. I have an older brother and sister who were both already in college, so it was just me at home dealing with everything. Looking back now, I understand why they got divorced and they get along suprisingly well now. I love my family and even though they're divorced we seem to have way less issues than most families I know.
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oooooh that's so cute , you are lucky to have your family and i think that's one more reason why u should thank God for choosing you amongst the thousands and millions to give you such a blessed family you know. Just giv ... moreoooooh that's so cute , you are lucky to have your family and i think that's one more reason why u should thank God for choosing you amongst the thousands and millions to give you such a blessed family you know. Just give him all the praises he deserves for giving you what you dream and dreamt of already . i really I'm happy for you
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I kinda have a non-traditional family, my parents got divorced when I was about 5... I was okay, my dad would comme visit me almost everyday. Then my mom met this guy who lived 8 hours away from where we lived and soo my ... moreI kinda have a non-traditional family, my parents got divorced when I was about 5... I was okay, my dad would comme visit me almost everyday. Then my mom met this guy who lived 8 hours away from where we lived and soo my mom and I moved 8 hours away fom my dad. Still to this day I live with my mom and step dad 8 hours away from my dad, but we talk everynight on the phone and I get see him every summer. Im still daddys little girl :) and I love him, my mom and my step dad .
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My parents are divorced too and it was a good decision. My sister and I had a better childhood because my mom was alot happier without arguing with my dad all the time. Tyra I´m glad that your parents still get along an ... moreMy parents are divorced too and it was a good decision. My sister and I had a better childhood because my mom was alot happier without arguing with my dad all the time. Tyra I´m glad that your parents still get along and that you could deal with everything that good.
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Tyra I love how you posted about your parents divorce. Although I'm sure it was hard on you in some ways it seems that you handle it quite well. Although I'm sure maybe it makes you hesitant to marry. I love how you ha ... moreTyra I love how you posted about your parents divorce. Although I'm sure it was hard on you in some ways it seems that you handle it quite well. Although I'm sure maybe it makes you hesitant to marry. I love how you have such a close relationship with your Mama. Recently my family for some reason thinks I'm a screwball and for some reason don't want to interact with me and that is hard for me.
I remember at 21 my parents were thinking of a divorce and even at that age it was tough on me. I think that's the reason I'm marrying at 34, I took my time to find the right man.
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i feel so sorry for you but i somtimes worry that mine will divorce but i know they wont becuase they are really lovely to one another tyra i would really love to hear more about your life and how you got to the modeling ... morei feel so sorry for you but i somtimes worry that mine will divorce but i know they wont becuase they are really lovely to one another
tyra i would really love to hear more about your life and how you got to the modeling world becuase i want my life to be sucsseful like famous people
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I wish my parents would get a divorce. Because they are always fighting and are never happy.
I wish my parents would get a divorce. Because they are always fighting and are never happy.
my parents got divorced when i was 16yrs and that was the best day of my life. I've always hated my dad.....always have always will. Dont ever remember a time when i liked or loved him. I never considered him a dad for t ... moremy parents got divorced when i was 16yrs and that was the best day of my life. I've always hated my dad.....always have always will. Dont ever remember a time when i liked or loved him. I never considered him a dad for the many stuff he did to my family. Although him and my mom are separated, they still talk but us kids (5 of us) dont want nothin to do with him. we all hate em. i love my family the way it is presently....without him. I can never forgive em for the things he did.....especially this one incident that happened yrs ago. but im glad for u Tyra that ur family can work together.
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I am glad my parents are still together and always pray to God that they stay together.They have been together for 23 years already...I hope thy grow strong everyday
Tyra this is something that I have never really shared until recently . I looked at you and you mom and I see me and mine. On the other hand my biological dad and I never really had a relationship. I've tried to reach ou ... moreTyra this is something that I have never really shared until recently . I looked at you and you mom and I see me and mine. On the other hand my biological dad and I never really had a relationship. I've tried to reach out to him many times , I seem to be the only one trying. So I have tucked my feelings away learned that he is the one missing out. I am very thankful for my step dad and all he does. Thanks for sharing your family .
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When my parents divorced, I was the last to know. It happened a couple of years ago and although I was 22 at the time...it still had an effect. The thing that pissed me off the most is after my father divorced my Mom, he ... moreWhen my parents divorced, I was the last to know. It happened a couple of years ago and although I was 22 at the time...it still had an effect. The thing that pissed me off the most is after my father divorced my Mom, he became distant toward me & my sister. From him being a great father to us and my friends who did not have one in their lives, compared to now, its a drastic change. I only see him once a year and we barely speak. I've pushed it far back in my mind and my form of coping was getting a tattoo in memory of their marriage.
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My mother and father divorced when I was four years old. Since then my mother has been married and divorced three more times. It was difficult at first but then I realized it was for the best!