Unveiling the Life and Legacy of Draya Michele
Kniko Howard: The Firstborn
Draya Michele welcomed her oldest son, Kniko, in 2002 when she was just 17 years old. During an October 2019 interview with E! News, she opened up about her experience as a young mother. "I had a really, really strong mom who led me to believe that any situation I was in, I could overcome. And no matter what happened, she was always there to support me. So, I wasn't afraid. I had my mom to hold me down and have my back, and she did." Kniko mainly lives out of the public eye but has attended a few events with his mother. The two walked the red carpet at the Despicable Me 3 premiere in June 2017 and attended the iHeartRadio Music Awards together the following year. In August 2021, Michele shared that Kniko was starting his freshman year at Georgia State University in Atlanta. "Well. It’s official. I’m a college mom," she wrote. "I’m so proud of you son!!!!!! College whew I mean I knew you’d make it here. I hope you grow, learn, make new friends here in ATL SHAWTY I love you."Jru Scandrick: The Second Bundle of Joy
Michele welcomed her second child, son Jru, with then-fiancé Orlando Scandrick on April 8, 2016. Their baby boy, whose name is pronounced “Drew,” weighed 6.5 lbs. and was 20 inches long. He joined brother Kniko and Scandrick’s twin daughters from a previous relationship. In January 2016, Michele told PEOPLE that she revealed her pregnancy news to Kniko early on as he became suspicious of her morning sickness. "I just had to buckle down and tell him. I honestly felt really bad keeping it a secret from him so I made sure that he was one of the very first people that I told. He’s excited to be a big brother and wants to teach him soccer." Michele rarely posts Jru on her social media to protect his privacy but has shared a few of their matching Halloween costumes over the years, including a mummy get-up from October 2021.Draya Michele’s Daughter with Jalen Green
Michele’s daughter with Jalen Green was born on May 12, 2024, which was coincidentally Mother’s Day. "In 2021, on Mother’s Day, my dad passed away. Since then, it’s been extremely hard to celebrate that day without remembering the earth shattering phone call I received that morning," she wrote on Instagram. Michele continued, "Well, this Mother’s Day was different. My daughter was safely brought into this world and I’m forever grateful for the new memories we all get to experience moving forward." Michele announced her pregnancy on International Women’s Day in March 2024 when she was seven months pregnant. She shared several photos with her baby bump on display and wrote, "We are overjoyed to share our love for you, little girl. I’m am excited to speak words to the daughter I never thought I’d have." The entrepreneur and Green hosted a red-themed baby shower in April 2024, a month before their baby girl’s arrival. It featured a candle-lit dinner, purple balloons and various cherry desserts. While the couple have yet to reveal the name of their daughter, Michele has shared a few photos of the newborn on social media with her face covered.Discover the Truth Behind Parental Authority
Why Do Parents Act Like They Know Best?
Parents' seemingly bossy behavior often stems from their well-intentioned desire to keep their kids safe. As a psychologist specializing in family relationships, I can attest to this. When a child becomes a teenager, the world becomes more dangerous. Friendships can turn complicated and even toxic. Drugs and alcohol become more accessible and alluring. Mental health can take a nosedive, and social media doesn't offer much help.
There are several reasons for these increased risks as one grows up, but peer pressure takes the lead. To protect their teens, parents use various strategies like disciplining them ("You're grounded!") or challenging them with phrases like "When I was your age, I didn't behave like that." They might also reprimand, saying "I'm really disappointed in you." If your parents have ever acted this way, it's likely to keep you safe. Most parents understand the dangers and have likely experienced them themselves, wanting you to avoid their mistakes.
The Developing Brain of a Teenager
Right now, a teenager's brain is undergoing remarkable growth. Starting around 10 years old, there's a flurry of activity in the subcortical regions of the brain, which are associated with emotions like anger, anxiety, and defensiveness. If you're feeling these emotions regularly, you're completely normal.
As a teenager gets older, the outer regions of the brain also develop. The last part to mature is in the area behind the forehead, called the prefrontal cortex. This area is related to the ability to understand how others feel and put oneself in their shoes. Experts call this skill "perspective-taking." It means that when reprimanded for breaking the rules, instead of lashing out defensively, one can acknowledge the other person's concern.
Seeing Life from Another Perspective
For adults, perspective-taking can be challenging, but for teens, it's even harder as the prefrontal cortex isn't fully developed yet and won't be until about age 25. A teenager's brain allows them to do many amazing things, but they are naturally inclined to see life from their own perspective and have difficulty understanding why others act the way they do.
Your perception of your parents as bossy is based on the still-developing nature of your brain. Meanwhile, the part of the brain associated with big emotions is fully developed. This combination can be tough.
A Final Note
You might think that parents "always act like they know what's best," but in my parenting research, it's clear that they often struggle with how to handle certain situations. Over 40% of the parents in my last study had self-critical thoughts about their parenting. They're also trying their best.
If you can, give your parents a break and maybe even a hug. Remember, curiosity has no age limit, so adults, feel free to share your questions too. We'll do our best to answer them.