Reba McEntire, a well-known musician and actress is admired for her down-to-earth demeanor.
In a recent interview, she made a rare confession about family life, and her country lifestyle would also significantly impact how she raised her one and only child.
Reba is one of those rare musical treasures because she is so sincere and laid-back. The 67-year-old music superstar grew up on a ranch in Chockie, Oklahoma, and is unapologetically country.
When she wasn’t in school, she was in a family band and helped with the livestock. Reba was a big barrel racing fan, and her father and grandfather were rodeo winners.
Reba’s upbringing in the country was responsible for many of the values she carried throughout her life.
“If you tell someone you’re going to be somewhere at a specific time, you show up,” she told People.
“That’s how I was brought up.”
She had only recently given birth to her son Shelby in 1990 and was already well-known. Despite having a famous mother, she knew she would need to be cautious to raise him properly.
Reba had to make several difficult decisions while raising Shelby, but she stayed loyal to her ideals.
“When we played games or cards, I never let Shelby win,” she explained.
“He’d have learned nothing that way.” ‘I’ll always love you, but I want other people to like you,’ I always told Shelby. “So don’t be a jerk. ‘Don’t be a spoiled brat,’” she says.
Shelby, now a race car driver, was raised to accept others and understand that no one is superior to another by GRAMMY Award-winning singer and ex-husband, Narvel Blackstock.
“Many people have told me that you’d never know (he) had been blessed with the life he was given,” she said.
McEntire has also admitted that she was a little more narcissistic before having her kid. She attempted to spend as much time as she could with him.
“I had the nicest nannies and took him with me on the trip,” she explained. “When I couldn’t, I’d fly home after a concert, wake him up, take him to school, and pick him up. We’d play till I had to fly out again that night for a show. I wanted to be with Shelby. I still do.”
The country music star has previously spoken out about her son’s ADHD. He could barely get through a book when he was younger; now in his 30s, he reads voraciously.
“He is constantly striving to develop and perform better. His father also performed an excellent job. Shelby is a God-given treasure to me. We’re almost there. Before Shelby, I was a very self-centered individual. But then there’s a small character you’re assigned to protect, nurture, love, and teach, so all the focus shifts away from you.”
Reba is always delighted for her son, especially when he recently married his future bride Marissa. The pair were married at Walt Disney World, and the ceremony had a fairytale feel.
What do you think of Reba’s parenting style? Let us know in the comments!
