THE MOTHER'S DAY ISSUE
Holly
Robinson
Peete
Whether it’s advocating for the health of her family and others, overseeing the HollyRod Foundation, or starring in a new TV movie, it’s all in a day’s work for the mom of four.
Is in Her Prime
GO TO COVER STORY
LETTER FROM OUR EDITOR
VIDEO
hen a mother is born, she begins to take on new
roles: child development expert, coach, tutor, and even
health advocate. That last role — advocate — is one
that has come to define the career of our Mother’s Day
Issue cover star, Holly Robinson Peete. After Robinson
Peete’s oldest son Rodney Peete Jr. was diagnosed with
autism at the age of 3, parenting took on a whole new
meaning for the actress and mother of four. “We have figured out
that advocating for others by sharing our story is so powerful,” she told SheKnows on a visit to our offices in late 2021.
Ever since R.J.'s diagnosis, it’s come naturally to Robinson Peete, who oversees the HollyRod Foundation, which helps create awareness around autism as well as Parkinson’s Disease — a condition that afflicted her father. She’s also raised awareness about the crises in Black maternal health around the world, receiving the 2004 March of Dimes Healthy Babies, Healthy Futures Award. “We're just still not getting the health care that we need,” she told SheKnows Deputy Editor Erika Janes for our cover story. “Black women, Black pregnant women, are not being believed about certain issues with their health, with their pain levels, and there's still a lack of care that is starkly divided along socioeconomic and racial lines. This shouldn't be happening anymore.” Read the story to learn more about her impactful and inspiring work.
Speaking of the March of Dimes, SheKnows Parenting Writer Thea Glassman spoke to CEO Stacey Stewart about how the organization is helping to fight racism in healthcare by offering implicit bias trainings. We also look at what moms really need this Mother’s Day — paid leave — and why moms are more tired than dads. So while everyone takes a pause to celebrate mamas this holiday, know that we’re here for you today and every day. And if that speaks to you, don’t miss SheKnows Parenting Editor Rita Templeton’s essay, ‘Dear Mom: We See You.’
Happy Mother’s Day!
ON THE COVER
Holly Robinson Peete,
the Advocate Mother
FEATURE
Where Are We on Paid
Leave?
SHOP
7 Must-Have Parenting Apps
SK VOICES
* Dear Moms: We See You
* What Is a ‘Momcation?’
* 'Selfless' is Not a Compliment
INTERVIEW
How March of Dimes Is Fighting
Racism in Healthcare
FEATURE
9 Ways to Meet Mom Friends
MOMSESSED
Freida Pinto’s Mom Essentials
WATCH
What SheKnows: Freida Pinto
FEATURE
Moms are More Tired Than Dads
CELEBSPEAK
With Eva Longoria, Kelly Rowland, & More
FEATURES
Stars Who Say Their Moms Are Their Best Friends
Celebs Who Show Co-Parenting Love on Mother’s Day
SHOP
Last-Minute Mother’s Day Gifts
Editor-in-Chief
Eugenia Miranda Richman
7 Apps That Will Make #MomLife Easier
By Thea Glassman
Everyone Is Supporting Moms Today, But Here's What We Really Need
By Elaine Roth
Dear Moms: We See You
By Rita Templeton
By Tonilyn Hornung
Seriously, What's a 'Momcation' & Do I Deserve One?
By Michelle Yang
A Mother's Day Reminder:
'Selfless' Isn't a Compliment
9 Non-Awkward Ways to Make Mom Friends
By Erika Janes
By Virginia Duan
Freida Pinto’s Parenting Essentials
By Erika Janes & Reshma Gopaldas
What SheKnows: Freida Pinto
TABLE OF CONTENTS
HOLLY ROBINSON PEETE COVER STORY CREDITS
Makeup: Renny Vasquez
Hair: Shoshana Cheveux
CELEBSPEAK PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS
Allyson Felix credit: Dee Cercone/Everett Collection
Eva Longoria credit: JA/Everett Collection
Jeannie Mai credit: Priscilla Grant/Everett Collection
Kelly Rowland credit: Kristin Callahan/Everett Collection
Bryce Dallas Howard credit: Elizabeth Goodenough/Everett Collection
Brooklyn Decker credit: Priscilla Grant/Everett Collection
GRAPHICS
Petal Animation: bluebackimage/Adobe Stock
Cherry Blossom Graphics: belander/Adobe Stock
Scenic Cherry Blossom Background: bunditinay/Adobe Stock
By Audrey Brashich
Moms Are More Tired Than Dads
By SheKnows Staff
What's the best way motherhood has changed you?
"Becoming a mom has changed my motivation. I've always been a really competitive person and I've had this desire and drive to win. But when I became a mom, it kind of shifted. And it was really this process of wanting to teach my daughter what hard work looks like and overcoming adversity and giving her that real-life example that you can continue to achieve and go after your dreams when things are in the way." — Allyson Felix
Allyson Felix
Olympic Athlete
“You are usually the center
of your universe until your child
is born. And then you’re like, ‘Oh, Okay, he is the center of my universe now.’ He takes precedence over everything. And he is my priority. He dictates my schedule. He dictates my work, my jobs. And it’s made me a better human, being a mother
to Santi.” — Eva Longoria
Eva Longoria
Actress
“Motherhood has made me more present. My daughter changes so much every day — today, she just started actually open-mouthed laughing where it's like this open mouth and it's like a little giggle. But it's not there yet. If I wasn't paying attention, I would miss that. And I wasn't present before; I'll be honest. I was way more in a rush.” — Jeannie Mai
Jeannie Mai
Host, Actress
Brooklyn Decker
Model, Actress
“[It made] me more patient. I
thought I had no patience when I had my son Titan seven years ago. I was like, 'Oh my God, I'm definitely not going to have another one. All I have patience for is maybe one… until I just had this abundance of patience and I said, OK, it's time for another and I think I'm ready.' So I did. And now I've got even more patience. Does that mean I'm supposed to have a third? I don't know. You have to ask me in a couple of years, but I know I'm just in love with them
right now.” — Kelly Rowland
Kelly Rowland
Singer
“It's really humbled me.
I have very strong self-esteem
and confidence and always felt like someone who was like, ‘Oh, I'm the person that you can rely on, I don't need anyone to help me.’ And that changed instantly
when I had kids.”
— Bryce Dallas Howard
Bryce Dallas Howard
Actress
Inside the Fight to Dismantle Racism in Healthcare — One Implicit Bias Training at a Time
By Thea Glassman
By Julia Teti
These Celebrities Show Their Co-Parent Exes Love on Mother’s Day
By Erika Janes
$49
Bath Haven
Bathtub Pillow
By Taylor Jeffries
Alicia Keys, Kate Hudson,
& More Stars Who Say Their Moms Are Their Best Friends
Last-Minute
Mother's Day Gifts
$22
Oster Cordless Electric
Wine Bottle Opener
$140
Kindle
Paperwhite
$72
Tatcha The Starter
Ritual Set
$50
Mo Cuishle
Massager
$55
TYMO Ionic Hair
Straightener Brush
$40
Pure daily care Ultimate
Aromatherapy Diffuser Set
$90
SodaStream Jet Sparkling
Water Maker
CLICK FOR FULL STORY
Anya Body Butter
So Good
Butt, Spray
California Baby
Shampoo & Body Wash
Hover over images to reveal Motherhood insights.
LOVEVERY Play Kits
$30
$12+
Pricing varies
$40
By Delilah Gray
CLICK FOR FULL STORY
GO BACK TO THE TOP
Bro Vector/Adobe Stock
Visual Generation/Adobe Stock
OlgaStrelnikova/Adobe Stock
VecTerrain/Adobe Stock
Marina Zlochin/Adobe Stock
Mary Long/Adobe Stock
Alina/Adobe Stock
Cover Photography by George Chinsee
Hanna /Adobe Stock
Knut/Adobe Stock, Hanna/Adobe Stock, Natty/Adobe Stock
Natty/Adobe Stock
Knut/Adobe Stock
epitavi /Adobe Stock
Freida Pinto Photo Courtesy of Anya
Kate Hudson credit: Elizabeth Goodenough/Everett Collection
Alicia Keys credit: Kristin Callahan/Everett Collection
Nick Cannon credit: Kristin Callahan/Everett Collection; Tom Brady credit: Kristin Callahan/Everett Collection
“It made me live in complete
service [to] other humans. I think our
purpose is to really live to serve others —
our community, our family our friends. And that's really hard to do until you’re actually
put in a situation where it's called upon.
And motherhood for me was that
situation…. It changed my perspective
of what the meaning of life was, and
I'm really grateful for that.”
— Brooklyn Decker
W
hen a mother is born, she begins to take on new roles: child development expert, coach, tutor, and even health advocate. That last role — advocate — is one that has come to define the career of our Mother’s Day Issue cover star, Holly
Robinson Peete. After Robinson Peete’s oldest son Rodney Peete Jr. was diagnosed with autism at the age of 3, parenting took on a whole new meaning for the actress and mother of four. “We have figured out that advocating for others by sharing our story is so powerful,” she told SheKnows on a visit to our offices in late 2021.
Ever since R.J.'s diagnosis, it’s come naturally to Robinson Peete, who oversees the HollyRod Foundation, which helps create awareness around autism as well as Parkinson’s Disease — a condition that afflicted her father. She’s also raised awareness about the crises in Black maternal health around the world, receiving the 2004 March of Dimes Healthy Babies, Healthy Futures Award. “We're just still not getting the health care that we need,” she told SheKnows Deputy Editor Erika Janes for our cover story. “Black women, Black pregnant women, are not being believed about certain issues with their health, with their pain levels, and there's still a lack of care that is starkly divided along socioeconomic and racial lines. This shouldn't be happening anymore.” Read the story to learn more about her impactful and inspiring work.
Speaking of the March of Dimes, SheKnows Parenting Writer Thea Glassman spoke to CEO Stacey Stewart about how the organization is helping to fight racism in healthcare by offering implicit bias trainings. We also look at what moms really need this Mother’s Day — paid leave — and why moms are more tired than dads. So while everyone takes a pause to celebrate mamas this holiday, know that we’re here for you today and every day. And if that speaks to you, don’t miss SheKnows Parenting Editor Rita Templeton’s essay, ‘Dear Mom: We See You.’
Happy Mother’s Day!
ON THE COVER
Holly Robinson
Peete, the
Advocate Mother
FEATURE
Where Are We
on Paid Leave?
SHOP
7 Must-Have Parenting Apps
SK VOICES
* Dear Moms: We See You
* What Is a ‘Momcation?’
* 'Selfless' is Not a Compliment
INTERVIEW
How March of Dimes Is Fighting
Racism in Healthcare
FEATURE
9 Ways to Meet Mom Friends
MOMSESSED
Freida Pinto’s Mom Essentials
WATCH
What SheKnows: Freida Pinto
FEATURE
Moms are More Tired Than Dads
CELEBSPEAK
With Eva Longoria, Kelly Rowland, & More
FEATURES
Stars Who Say Their Moms Are Their Best Friends
Celebs Who Show Co-Parenting Love on Mother’s Day
SHOP
Last-Minute Mother’s Day Gifts
ON THE COVER
Holly Robinson
Peete, the
Advocate Mother
FEATURE
Where Are We
on Paid Leave?
SHOP
7 Must-Have Parenting Apps
SK VOICES
* Dear Moms: We See You
* What Is a ‘Momcation?’
* 'Selfless' is Not a Compliment
INTERVIEW
How March of Dimes Is Fighting
Racism in Healthcare
FEATURE
9 Ways to Meet Mom Friends
MOMSESSED
Freida Pinto’s Mom Essentials
WATCH
What SheKnows: Freida Pinto
FEATURE
Moms are More Tired Than Dads
CELEBSPEAK
With Eva Longoria, Kelly Rowland, & More
FEATURES
Stars Who Say Their Moms Are Their Best Friends
Celebs Who Show Co-Parenting Love on Mother’s Day
SHOP
Last-Minute Mother’s Day Gifts
ON THE COVER
Holly Robinson
Peete, the
Advocate Mother
FEATURE
Where Are We
on Paid Leave?
SHOP
7 Must-Have Parenting Apps
SK VOICES
* Dear Moms: We See You
* What Is a ‘Momcation?’
* 'Selfless' is Not a Compliment
INTERVIEW
How March of Dimes Is Fighting
Racism in Healthcare
FEATURE
9 Ways to Meet Mom Friends
MOMSESSED
Freida Pinto’s Mom Essentials
WATCH
What SheKnows: Freida Pinto
FEATURE
Moms are More Tired Than Dads
CELEBSPEAK
With Eva Longoria, Kelly Rowland, & More
FEATURES
Stars Who Say Their Moms Are Their Best Friends
Celebs Who Show Co-Parenting Love on Mother’s Day
SHOP
Last-Minute Mother’s Day Gifts
ON THE COVER
Holly Robinson
Peete, the
Advocate Mother
FEATURE
Where Are We
on Paid Leave?
SHOP
7 Must-Have Parenting Apps
SK VOICES
* Dear Moms: We See You
* What Is a ‘Momcation?’
* 'Selfless' is Not a Compliment
INTERVIEW
How March of Dimes Is Fighting
Racism in Healthcare
FEATURE
9 Ways to Meet Mom Friends
MOMSESSED
Freida Pinto’s Mom Essentials
WATCH
What SheKnows: Freida Pinto
FEATURE
Moms are More Tired Than Dads
CELEBSPEAK
With Eva Longoria, Kelly Rowland, & More
FEATURES
Stars Who Say Their Moms Are Their Best Friends
Celebs Who Show Co-Parenting Love on Mother’s Day
SHOP
Last-Minute Mother’s Day Gifts