By Nic Baird
Kandi Burruss, from Bravo’s Real Housewives of Atlanta is engaged to her costar, line producer Todd Tucker, Burruss’s rep confirmed to People. The reality star couple first met when filming the fourth season of Real Housewives of Atlanta in 2011. Buruss is a Grammy Award winner known for writing TLC’s hit “No Scrubs,” Destiny Child’s “Bills, Bills, Bills” and Pink’s “There You Go.” Her upcoming show, The Kandi Factory, follows her as she searches for the next big pop talent. She also has an 11-year-old daughter, Riley, from a previous relationship.
How do you announce your engagement to your children?
Cupid’s Advice:
There’s a lot of pressure to make sure your relationship doesn’t affect your child. This priority can make sudden changes to your family seem more stressful then they should. Sit down with your child, have the discussion, and simultaneously create a healthier family unit. Here’s how:
1. Treat them with respect: When discussing your new engagement with your children, you have to give their feelings and questions the attention they deserve without dismissing any discussion. Make sure they understand how much you appreciate them as part of your life. Let them know this new arrangement doesn’t change your love for them. This is an addition to the family, not a subtraction.
2. Talk to them with your fiancé: A united front means making decisions as a parenting unit. If you’re getting married, it means that your partner will fill this role to some degree. There must be a consensus between the two of you before discussions with your child. Make sure both of you describe the circumstances as an addition to the family, so your child doesn’t see it as subtraction.
3. Give them time to think: Make them a part of the marriage so they feel included and understand its importance. Return to the discussion so you can assess how they’re taking the news. A child needs time to wrap their mind around this new arrangement. And they need you to be there if they have any questions.
How have you dealt with a recent breakup? Share your experiences below!
