Monica Celebrates Her Boys' Birthdays

Imanamani Marcano-Sowell/Sunkissed Mommy for use on CBB

Happy birthday!

R&B songstress Monica poses with her fiancé Rodney Hill and their sons, Rodney ‘Lil Rocko’ Ramone III, 4 ½, and Romelo Montez, 22 months, at a joint birthday party for the boys on November 1st.

Although the children’s birthdays are not until January and May, they were celebrated together for an episode of Monica’s reality show, Still Standing, airing Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on BET.

Read more about the party at Sunkissed Mommy.

Comments

I think it’s strange to hold a joint birthday party, in November, for children born in January and May.

- Tess on November 6th, 2009

A joint birthday party for kids whose birthdays are months away (and months apart) for the purposes of reality TV?? Anyone else think that’s just ridiculous, exploitative and wrong? Come on!

- jan on November 6th, 2009

I’m not a follower of her music but I recently read an article about her life and struggles on CNN. I admire her for how far she’s come in such horrible circumstances that she’s had to endure. My only criticism is this birthday thing, and it’s not really a criticism. Why celebrate the kids birthdays now, wouldn’t that just confuse them? Reality shows have in my opinion done some not so good things for families that choose to go on tv and showcase their lives. But to each there own.

- lovemynieces on November 6th, 2009

If you think that there is a “reality” show that includes children and is NOT exploitive in some way, you’re delusional.

With that said, the real “reality” is that most people — especially celebs — would do the same thing. There probably aren’t many who wouldn’t expose their children to a “reality” show for the right amount of money (upwards of $100,000 per season).

- Janna on November 6th, 2009

Handsome little boys.

- Liliana on November 6th, 2009

Exploitative is taking it too far but it seems silly to me. It’s a happy unbirthday party.The children are very cute though.

- eva on November 6th, 2009

How ridiculous! Why have a birthday party in November when the kids birthdays are 2 and 6 months away. Talk about putting your own wants ahead of your child.

- Shawna on November 6th, 2009

What some people won’t do for their reality show… The kids have got to be so confused…

- Brittany on November 6th, 2009

This is so dunb! The older kid in that picture- his face says it all! “Hey guys its not my birthday! What the heck are we doing here?”

- Cortney on November 6th, 2009

Romelo? hmmmm not a fan of that name

- stephanie on November 6th, 2009

They couldn’t come up with another idea for episode? I understand if their birthdays were a few weeks away, and I can even buy January, but May?? That’s just ridiculous. I know the Gosselins move holidays around too for taping purposes. It just seems so wrong to move your child’s birthday by six months just to tape it for a tv show. We celebrate birthdays because they’re special and we want to celebrate the birthday boy, not for ratings. I can’t believe they couldn’t come up with another episode plot.

- Sarah K. on November 6th, 2009

I’ve never seen her boys before. Handsome little men.

- meghan on November 6th, 2009

Haha….her fiance looks digusted.

- Becky on November 6th, 2009

This is stupid and ridiculous. It’s obvious what she is doing this for! Pretty shameful if you ask me.

- Nikki on November 6th, 2009

i luv her n her music but that is ridiculous i could understand if it was a half way point to both the boys birthdays but for ratings thats horrible dont confuse the kids are they going to expect a huge birthday party every nov?

- monica on November 6th, 2009

the expressions on each of their faces completely sums it up.

- crimpe on November 6th, 2009

Those little boys are so cute!

- Teresa on November 6th, 2009

Really? Talk about using your kids for a tv show…

- sarah on November 6th, 2009

Her boys are so cute and look so sharp in thier outfits. I bet the event was fun times. WOW! Mostly criticism and hardly a positive comment. I will admit that when I first read about this on another site, I also thought that it was odd. But who knows thier reasons for it. Maybe it’s for ratings, though I don’t see how this will do a thing for ratings, and maybe it’s for another reason altogether. I do know this, from what I’ve seen of Monica over the years, she seems like a genuinely nice person and a wonderful mother to her boys and her fiance’s son who she says is like her own. She’s been in the industry since she was 15 and I’ve NEVER heard a bad thing about her. IMO, she stands out among celebrities who started young. She is a native of Atl, where I’ve lived for a while, and she is really loved here for how real she is, sweet, down-to-earth and giving. She has been thru some things and I sincerely believe she wants to show how she has overcome her adversaties and is still standing. I wish her the best.

- Shi on November 6th, 2009

Yes this party is ridiculous and it is not even for their upcoming birthdays! There was nr 1 candle on the cake so this was for the youngest one’s birthday 10 months ago!

- Anna on November 6th, 2009

Absolutely love Monica, she has such a lovely family. Its a shame the previous posters felt the need to criticize, these are not your children. Saying she’s using her children is repulsive at best. Sure reality tv sucks, Ok. Team Monica!

- TmkaFly on November 7th, 2009

LOL Becky believe it or not, that guy’s face looks like that ALL THE TIME. He never smiles he just sneers. He’s too ‘cool’ to smile for pictures. Really, Monica? There were so many fish in the sea, lol.

And I don’t know why they confused these poor children with this fake birthday party. Monica may be sweet and down to earth like people say, but this is ridiculous, IMHO.

- GiannaG on November 7th, 2009

I know it seems a little weird but why don’t some of you wait till you see the actual episode before judging and even then why judge??? it’s not going to make your life any better or more fulfilled.

Besides I hardly doubt a child is going to be upset that they get to have more than one birthday party in a year, my 5 year old always asks if she can have another one all the time lol…

- sar on November 7th, 2009

I luv me some Monica but this is kinda on the strange side. She should have just had a “celebration” party for the boys. The “happy birthday” theme when the boys birthdays are weeks and months away is strange. To each it’s own though…

- Kaylee on November 7th, 2009

Weird having the birthday parties now…but oh well…I adore Monica and her family..she is strong woman and an example for many, she dresses her boys so handsome I love their style…tooooo cuute!!!

- L on November 7th, 2009

Why is Monica doing a reality show? She can actually sing, unlike some artists. She should be working on her next CD instead of planning fake birthday parties IMO. It’s funny how she’s the only one smiling in that photo. Everyone else is like what are we doing here? lol

- Chris on November 7th, 2009

In reality, birthdays are only as important as you make them (we don’t celebrate them at all). These kids are quite little, and likely won’t remember any of this anyway. A little perspective is needed.

- NLT on November 7th, 2009

I’m sorry but who would want a person who appears to be snarling around their toddler children. Maybe he just pulled an attitude for the picture but I’d have him out on the doorstep asap. That’s not the kind of influence I’d want around my little ones.

- Cathy Carey on November 7th, 2009

Guess “reality” t.v ain’t so real! lol

- Hilda on November 8th, 2009

i have no idea who she is, and don´t think i miss out by not knowing.

the boys are very adorable, but throwing a party when their birthtdays are that far a way is odd and just shows that she is pimping out her kids for her ´realiy´show.

- Denise-Switzerland on November 8th, 2009

Monica has had a difficult life, and she is a fighter. But birthdays are for the kids, not for her reality show. I think this is really sad.

- martina on November 8th, 2009

maybe she did the birtday for the show and her fans,to share that moment with the fans,since her show might be at the season finale before their birthday actually comes around…I see no harm in it. they are still young,and I assume they have no idea when their birthdays really are ANYWAY.

- dawn on November 8th, 2009

I definitely remember my 4th and 5th birthdays and I definitely knew when my birthday was, so her older child is not young enough to forget. It’s really just an odd thing to do. I can’t think of one reason that’s good enough to pretend it’s your child’s birthday months in advance. I’m sure Monica is a very nice woman and I enjoy her music, but this is ridiculous.

- Sarah K. on November 8th, 2009

Personally, I don’t think this is fair to the kids. They’re actual people, not just “Monica’s kids”. Why should they have to have a joint birthday party, rather than each having their own party on their own birthdays? I know I would have been mad, even at that age, if I had to give up my own birthday party and share with my brother who’s birthday is nowhere near mine just so Mommy and Daddy could have more money. It’s not as if they need anymore money right now. Joint birthday parties for twins or siblings who have birthdays that are close together are one thing, this is another.

I just hope that this isn’t their real birthday party, and they’ll each get a real one when their real birthdays come around.

- Lola on November 8th, 2009

Cathy Carey, your post made me laugh. He’s not snarling. I’ve seen him on other programs and in other pictures and that’s just how he photographs.

To say because he appears to be snarling he’s not a good influence to his sons is ridiculous. Even if he was, it’s a facial expression. It’s not like he’s holding his youngest and flipping off the cameras.

- Ashleigh on November 8th, 2009

That it very strange to have birthday parties in November for boys that are born in January and May, but maybe there is a story behind it.

- Terri on November 8th, 2009

Ashleigh- I agree.

And to all of you who are feeling bad for the boys…Do you really think they minded have an extra birthday party? I mean, most kids LOVE parties!

- CelebBabyLover on November 9th, 2009

Love Monica, I think she is amazing. I also think that her and her fiance(i think)have a gorgeous family. Their boys are gonna be heartbreakers. I personally love both of their names, maybe I wouldn’t name my sons that but it fit for her and I think they are strong names for two beautiful boys and I’m sure they’ll one day live up to them!!! Whose to say they aren’t already. I think she is strong and amazing!!! Who cares if they have a party now and another later. Maybe they won’t have another but still who cares!!! Life is too short to sweat the small stuff!!! Wishing her and her family continued blessings

- Monique7 on November 9th, 2009

I just want everyone to know that I’ve called CPS and they are on their way to Monica’s home as I type. I think that NO child should be treated this way. I mean, can you just imagine the FUN they must have had at this party? What if they remember all that fun and everyone celebrating them for years to come? Simply unacceptable. Because of this they will think that the day that they were born can be celebrated any time instead of just that one day. Who would do that to a child? Well you can be rest assured that this never happens to anohter child again. Those poor children. I just cry everytime I think of them. UGH, some people should NEVER be allowed to have children.

- Concerned viewer on November 9th, 2009

I guess I’m a terrible Aunt. When my neice was two we had a birthday party for her pretty much once a month. She would say, “Can we play birthday party tomorrow?” So we did. Everyone should bake a chocolate cake with a very involved two year old. She’s 10 now and just yesterday she said, “Do you remember when we played birthday party? Do you think I’m too old to play now?” So we baked a chocolate cake and played birthday party. It’s a great memory for the two of us, and I don’t think it’s going to traumatize those kids either.

- Jenn on November 9th, 2009

@GiannaG, you beat me to the punch- you’re right, his face is ALWAYS like that in photographs. I don’t know why he thinks that face looks cool, to me it just makes him look like he’s either constipated, or has regressed to 3 years old and is making a “fake” smile (you guys know what I’m talking about- the smile that doesn’t reach the eyes that toddlers make when they are told to smile and don’t feel like it, lol). Whatever it is, it looks the opposite of cool.

Monica is beautiful, and so are her kids. At first I was kind of put off by the faux birthday party thing, but then I thought about it, and realized that kids that young don’t usually know it’s their birthday until you tell them. I mean, little Romelo’s not looking at a calendar and saying, “Now wait a minute, Ma…” They’re not going to be aware on that on their actual birthday a year hasn’t passed since their “last” one. I think we’re outraged because of the significance WE put on the birthdays, not the kids.

Btw, LOL @Jenn, I think that is really cute, your niece’ll most likely cherish those memories.

- Lioness on November 9th, 2009

I think Monica is an amazing mom! Everyone has an opinion. But what ur failing 2 realize is those r her kids and she should do whatever she feel is right with them. B4 u judge look at the show, read her story or atleast google her. She’s been through so much n her life and through it all she puts god and her children first. I wish her and her family the best

- Va Angel on November 11th, 2009

Yall def need 2 shut up talking about Monica and her boys and if you watch the show you would understand why she did it.

- Tori on May 28th, 2010