Agreeing to Disagree with NeNe

Hello everyone! Welcome back to another drama filled episode of The Real Housewives of Atlanta. Let’s jump right on in!

I don't want to "beat a dead horse," but at this point I think that we all can agree that parenting is one of the hardest jobs you can have, and it does not come with a manual. It is individual, and you should do what works for you and your family. If you put twenty parents in a room together, they will all have different parenting styles due to how they were raised and how they choose to raise their children. To each their own! Parenting is a sensitive, controversial subject, so I say to all the mommas and the daddies of the world God bless and good luck!

Thank you to everyone who has had an opinion about this subject. I knew that when I made the decision to discuss this issue that some people were going to agree with my point of view and some people were going to agree with NeNe's point of view. Raising children is not easy, and what works for one child may not work for the other. I am just glad that people are talking about it, regardless of whom they agree with. The common ground that we both share is that we both love our children and want to help them grow up to be smart, successful, kind, and loving people. Kandi and I are the only women on the show with daughters, and I feel a certain connection to her because of this. I think her daughter is about three years younger than mine, so the supervised dating subject is not a issue for her at this time. However, I think we both agree that you have to deal with more issues when raising girls as opposed to boys. Explaining and educating a young girl about menstrual cycles and the possibility of getting pregnant is a conversation that is not necessary for a young boy. I have never been a little boy, but I have definitely been a little girl. Therefore I can relate to the things that my daughter is going through now and will go through as she gets older. I am so appreciative of all the constructive and kind words from all of you regarding the business of motherhood and parenting. That actually sounds like the name of a book that I would love to read and I just might write it myself! Hmm... Stay posted!Wow! This was such a hard episode for me to watch, because it was so emotional. I haven't cried that hard in a long time and ain't nothing like a good ol' cry every now and then! Thank you Kenya and Porsha for your words, hugs, and bringing me back, smokey eye and all!

This episode involved two people that I care very much about: My lovely daughter Noelle (my heart and soul) and my very dear friend NeNe. First, let me go ahead and say that it is OK for friends to agree to disagree. Or just disagree period. I don't have an issue with anyone disagreeing with me (as I know I am not always right) and having an opinion. We all have an opinion, and should stand firm on what we feel and believe. Just because you are friends doesn't mean you like the same kind of men, want to live in the same type of house, and both want your steak cooked the same way! I often disagree with my friends, however I make every effort to be sensitive to their feelings and be supportive. We are grown women (and as much as we have in common), we have led different lives and have different stories to tell. Our complexity as women teaches us how to grow and learn from each other. That is the blessing! It’s not always about who is right, who is wrong, or who can throw the most shade. It's about trying to be a good person, a good mother, a good wife, a good Christian, a good neighbor, and a good friend. That’s what is important to me. I need to be able to look in the mirror, and actually like the person I see staring back at me.

My mother did not have all the right answers when she was raising me, and neither do I. All you can do is love your children and keep the communication open so that they feel confident coming to you for support and guidance. I am confident in my decision to allow "parentally supervised" dating for my 14-year-old. It may not work for everyone, but it works for us. I stand firm in my decision, and will continue to do so until I feel otherwise. So there you have it! It's a new year and I want to celebrate it with love and positivity. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Continued blessings to all of you and your families.

Thank you all for watching! I appreciate all of you. Trust me there is more drama to come! Make sure you tune in every Sunday night at 8/7c. Only on Bravo!

[video_clip_url:http://player.theplatform.com/p/PHSl-B/yT7k3t_YLXoZ/embed/select/zrtP8R1ud6BS]

Love you guys!
Cynthia Bailey

"It is OK to stumble. It is OK to fall. It is NOT OK to NOT get back up."
-Cynthia Bailey

www.Twitter.com/CynthiaBailey10
www.Twitter.com/TheBaileyAgency
www.Twitter.com/CBaileyDoll
www.Facebook.com/CynthiaBaileyFans

To order your Cynthia Bailey doll: www.CynthiaBaileyDoll.com

To order your copy of our book Carry-On Baggage: http://bit.ly/CarryonBaggage

www.TheBaileyAgencySchoolofFashion.com
www.MissRenaissancePageant.com
www.genovive.com

Coffee lovers, check out Peter's Brew. Amazing coffee sold exclusively at www.PetersBrew.com.