Vanessa Williams Keen on Making Kids Responsible

Charles Eshelman/FilmMagic

Appearing at Allstate Insurance Company’s Home for the Holidays event with her 15-year-old son Devin to promote the Allstate Parent-Teen Driving Contract, Vanessa Williams says her four kids are granted no special treatment despite being the children of an actress. Having "established a good sense of self" with her brood — including daughters Melanie, 21, Jillian, 19, and Sasha, 8 ½ — Vanessa is hopeful that her family, who is "not easily swayed," will not succumb to the inevitable peer pressure many teenagers face as they gain more independence.

While Devin happily signed the contract alongside his mom, Vanessa’s car policy for her teenagers may mean that her only son will be borrowing the family vehicle for some time! Believing that "getting your own car is a privilege," Vanessa is happy to help her children get their first car — used, not new — once they have complied with her set standards.

"Being able to fill the car up with gas requires money that comes from somewhere. So if they can earn the money to fill their own car up, that makes them motivated to have their own freedom. It’s all part of teaching them responsibility."

However, despite her strict rules that are met with "consequences" if broken, the 45-year-old admits that she is a fair mom who ensures her children are given the chance to make their own mistakes. "I allow my kids to have freedom and allow them to explore life. I’m not extremely rigid, but they do know there are consequences with every action," explains Vanessa.

Source: OK!

Comments

I think that’s great! When we got our licenses we had lots of rules about when and where we could drive and with whom in the car. I shared the family vehicle until I decided I wanted to buy my own car. My parents paid the insurance on it but I had to pay for the car and gas myself (it was a very used car!). I also had to pay for most of the repairs myself. I think this encouraged me to be more responsible with my car and driving. It was certainly different from many of my peers (yes, multiple), who got new, expensive cars when they turned 16, and an equally expensive car when they wrecked the first one a few months later.

- MB on December 9th, 2008

I’m not a mother but a very hands-on aunt. The most important advice I ever gave the nieces/nephews is that every action has a consequence. I always had their back, I would support them in every way I could, but please, please, please think before you say or do anything! Most of them are fully grown now and they are all happy and thriving. You can give kids the world but teaching them to think for themselves is the best gift you can give them!

- Sherry on December 9th, 2008

Is Devin pronounced Dev-in or the same as Devon? I always thought Devin was an entirely seperate name, as Devon is a place name. The other day though, I heard Devin pronounced like Devon, and I wasn’t sure which was correct.

- phoebe on December 9th, 2008

First of all, Vanessa is stunning and Devin is turning into a very handsome young man.

Secondly, not only is it great that they have signed this contract, which is a step above just talking to your kids about safe driving but letting them know that they are going to actually hold them to it, but it’s also great that they are speaking out about it. Too many teens die each year because of accidents. It’s great that she’s encouraging parents to play a more active role in keeping their kids safe on the road.

And kudos to her for buying (or helping to buy) her kids used cars as their first cars. Even if I had the money that a lot of these celebrities have, I still can’t see myself buying my kids a Mercedes or Benz at 16. But that’s just me. Now when they graduate college, that’s another story. Turning 16 or 17, whatever the legal driving age is, doesn’t mean you’ve accomplished anything. But graduating college does.

All of Vanessa’s children are beautiful and seemed so well-behaved. You can tell by the way that they all carry themselves and by their overall demeanor that they are good kids/young adults.

- Destiny on December 9th, 2008

I’m glad to see SOME celebrity parents still believe in setting standards and limits for their kids…way to go vanessa! and congrats on your new driver.

- dawn on December 9th, 2008

Vanessa always seems like such a great mother and down to earth person overall. Kudos to her for not raising a bunch of “entitled” kids.

- m-dot- on December 9th, 2008

Vanessa seems like a great mom. Kudos to her. She’s got a cute son to boot.

- terri on December 11th, 2008