TLC's Chilli on Dating As a Single Mom

Lisa Wagner/Splash News Online

As she prepares to embark on what is becoming increasingly-common territory — a reality television dating show — former TLC member Rozonda ‘Chilli’ Thomas says that her 12-year-old son Tron will be first and foremost in her mind as she settles on a suitor.

“I would never get serious with anyone who had a problem with kids,” the 38-year-old songstress tells Essence. “I don’t like when women are dating and they present every guy they are dating as a boyfriend around the kids.”

Instead, Chilli says that she uses restraint. She adds,

“When you are a great mom, it’s hard to not bring someone you are dating around your kid, but you don’t display affection in front of them. “This is mommy’s friend,” and that’s so your kids aren’t confused and develop bad habits.”

Tron is Chilli’s son with ex-boyfriend Dallas Austin. Her reality show will debut on VH1 this fall.

Source: Essence

– Missy

Comments

I ♥ Chilli and I LOOOOVVEED TLC! Can’t wait to see her new dating reality show.

- Crystal on September 12th, 2009

I don’t understand her logic. What bad habits would a kid develop from seeing his mother showing affection towards someone she cares about? Wouldn’t the kid be more confused about all his mother’s so called “friends” who she is sure not to act so naturally around?

- Xan on September 12th, 2009

As someone who was raised by a single mother, I think she’s smart to have done that. Granted, my mom didn’t date anyone when we were young. But obviously, she doesn’t want her child to grow attached to someone she may or may not break up with later on.

- Robyn on September 12th, 2009

She’s doing a dating reality show, but doesn’t want her son to see her dating lots of other guys? He’s 12…does she think he won’t hear about the show at school, even if he’s not meeting all these guys? Or is she doing some other sort of reality show?

- MZ on September 12th, 2009

I’m a single parent my kids are my number one priority.I consider myself a great mom.That is why I would never bring anyone I’m dating around my kids.Kids get attached very easily and that is why I have choosen to protect their little hearts.Their emotional needs come before my own.I really don’t get Chilli saying that “when you are a great mom it’s hard not to bring someone you are dating around your kid”.

- workingmum on September 12th, 2009

I feel the same way. What a good mom.

- Christa Bledsoe on September 12th, 2009

I have a preteen son and a teenage son who are just experiencing the beginning of their own sexual issues. The last thing my boys need or want is to think of their mom having sex with a bunch of guys and no matter how few partners women think they have, to kids it’ll seem like a lot. I know it’s hard for Chilli to be a 30-something single mom looking for love but I think she’s finding the middle ground between being an individual and being a mom.

- Adeline on September 12th, 2009

I can kind of see what she’s saying. Its probably better to introduce a boyfriend as a friend and see how they interact than introduce him as a bf and add a seriousness that doesn’t need to be there. As far as affection goes, if your child sees your with a multitude of bfs and being affectionate they can definitely get the wrong idea. And I don’t know shes plans to conduct herself on the show, but I don’t see it being THAT hypocritical.

- Electra on September 12th, 2009

MZ, I totally agree with your comment! :0)

- Lilly on September 13th, 2009

She is so pretty and looks way younger than 38. Her son is at the age where I’m sure he can figure things out.

- Chris on September 13th, 2009

Chili looks great at 38. I have my doubts about her finding love on a dating reality show. However, I wish her the best.

- Pierre on September 13th, 2009

MZ- I think she just means that she isn’t planning on introduce any potential boyfriends to her son until she knows that the relatinship is serious.

Laura- Yes, and the movie Tron is actually based on a computer game of the same name. That said, I actually like the name for a boy.

- CelebBabyLover on September 14th, 2009