This story first appeared on the Local Moms Network.
Photo credit: Tina Turnbow
British singer-songwriter Joss Stone became a household name in the early 2000’s with her second album, “Mind Body & Soul”.
After 9 albums, years of touring and a Grammy win, she embraced motherhood, and is now based in Nashville, TN with her husband and two kids (Violet is 3 and Shackleton is 1). She’s currently in the process of adopting while on her 2024 Ellipsis Tour—and sharing all the details with The Local Moms Network in this week’s Meet a Mom interview:
Congratulations on the new tour! How is this one different than previous ones?
The whole family used to go! For the first time, I did not take the two little ones and for the first week of it I felt very hormonally emotional. I have not really been away from them for more than a day.
After that first week, I realized that the kids were having so much fun at home, they weren’t screaming out for me, and they didn’t really care. My touring has only lasted two weeks because of the children! I’ve changed that over the years, but I’m glad it’s now set up in a way that it’s short and I don’t feel like I’m missing out on watching my children grow up.
To prepare for the tour, I just spend as much time with my children as possible! I like to make some bread, put together lasagnas and macaroni + cheese and just easy dinners. That way I’m making dinner for my children even though I’m not there.
Love that! You had a traumatic birth with your second child and you’ve experienced pregnancy loss. Did these experiences encourage you to adopt?
Having experienced a traumatic birth and pregnancy loss was an awful, awful thing but that is not why we’re adopting. I have always wanted to adopt, and it’s so important that our adopted child knows as they grow up, that they were not just adopted because I couldn’t have another pregnancy. Because I can, and I will, and I plan to!
We’re adopting because why wouldn’t you? There are so many babies out there that need love. I’ve never thought anything different my whole life.
In the very first months of talking to [my husband] Cody, I remember he asked “What do you want? All I want is an adopted beagle and an adopted baby.” I knew I had found my person. There are so many kids out there, and they just need love. Cody and I are the perfect people to love those kids and we’re happy to take as many on as we can fit in our arms.
Yes, you’ve said you want 25 kids—a bold statement from someone with two toddlers, ha…What do you love most about motherhood?
Yes, I’ve always wanted a large family. I don’t know if Cody always wanted such a large family, but he wanted kids. When I say 25, I say that just to shock people. But even before I had Violet, I wanted to have a lot of children. I feel very purposeful in looking after my babies, I love being a mom more than I love being a singer. Although it’s difficult and challenging, it is the most rewarding, beautiful and natural thing.
Photo credit: Joss Stone
What’s your best mom hack for stopping a toddler tantrum?
Get carpet! When I first had Violet, we had no carpet in the house, and she loved smashing her head on the floor when she’s in a tantrum. Shack doesn’t smash his head on the floor, but when they cry, they do throw themselves on the floor and then I get worried.
So, take a deep breath, put them on the carpet, surround them with pillows, and then ignore the bad behavior. You sort of say “Okay, baby, I’m gonna put you right here and I’m here for you when you need me” and continue breathing deeply.
We have to give them time. They have to get through it, but make sure it is safe, calm and loving. It will shorten the tantrum, but they will come.
Have you introduced your kids to music?
I have introduced them to music! Music is playing all the time. I made a record when Shack was in my belly. When Violet was little, I’d have her in the highchair and put on whatever I thought that she liked. It turns out that she really likes dance music. But truly, as much as I try and put soul music into their spirit, they want Baby Shark. So now we all dance around to Baby Shark!
What’s next for you?
Currently, I am on my 2024 Ellipsis Tour. I’m also making a disco record, so hopefully next year we’ll have that. Mainly, because Violet likes to dance and now Shack has started dancing!
My first live album was released earlier this year called “20 Years of Soul Live in Concert.” I also have a new song that came out on August 9th called “Loving You” and it’s a very romantic, loving little summer jam. I hope everyone likes it, can come out to the shows, and hope that my little tidbits of information have been helpful to someone!
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Olympic Gymnast Shannon Miller on Motherhood, Her Cancer Battle, Simone Biles & More!
Meet a Mom: Us Women’s Soccer Star Crystal Dunn on the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris!
Meet a Mom: Actress Camille Guaty on Motherhood & her New Film, Harold and the Purple Crayon
