It’s Okay to Apologize to Your Kids with Serena Williams

Serena tell us if you feel comfortable about your conception journey. I mean you well one thing I oh well that is a definitely I've never had that subject. Yeah That's kind of intimate Well, you know It's true. Well, but we're with moms we were it and this is only gonna aired millions of people It's just between us girls Oh Well, we were in Rome And This episode is brought to you by Chase home lending Hey there hi there moms Hey Serena girl What's happening first of all let me start by thanking Steve and Connie Balmer and the entire LA Clippers organization for hosting us today They are wonderful. Let's give them a round of applause And you guys have been great partners to us personally and we are incredibly grateful to be working with you So, thank you We're here today to talk about my favorite subject motherhood With some of my favorite people mothers right and What better guests to have Not just one of the greatest athletes in the world, but One of the greatest mothers in the world Because we're backstage and I'm like how the girls and this one You know you couldn't you you can't even say their names without just Just feeling it right. Yeah, they're pretty special So we're gonna talk about motherhood our motherhood journeys and so much more but I want to begin with Just a fundamental question, I don't know about you I've done a lot in life I have accomplished things degrees and all the things and I always knew that I wanted to have a career I wanted to have an impact But the one thing I always always knew I wanted to be was a mother It for for sure I mean it's it is the most important thing and I knew that from a long long time And that's not always true. I mean we all come to motherhood in different ways for different reasons And there's no right way to be a mother. That's for sure. That's all I've learned But I'm wondering Serena. Did you feel that way? Did you always want to be a mother? Yeah, actually, I've always wanted to be a mom. Mm-hmm. I didn't know You know, there's a lot of things involved with becoming a mom But I always knew that I wanted to be a mom even when I was young playing with my dolls You know, I was always the one that just wanted to have kids So it's always been something that I've always knew throughout my life and I didn't know when you know I just didn't know when it was gonna happen But I always knew that there was one goal that I just definitely wanted to reach and that was becoming a mom Yeah, and then you start trying to be a mom which I Did and I you know I I What they never what I was never told was that the biological clock was real And I try to tell a lot of young people that a lot of young women that that clock is is real And Barak and I we married in our late 20s took our time hanging tough and then we started Working on conceiving I got pregnant once and miscarried which was devastating and then we tried and tried and tried and We had to do IVF for both girls Which you know it becomes it's it's more of a thing than I knew then I think more young women are talking about Their conception journey that it's not always guaranteed But Serena tell us if you feel comfortable about your conception journey I mean you well one thing I oh well that is a definitely I've never had that subject. Yeah That's kind of intimate Well, you know It's true Well, but we're with moms we were it and this is only gonna aired millions of people It's just between us girls Wow we were in Rome And I One thing led to another and then nine months later So But you know but I didn't while you were still yeah, where you were you trying? No, I wasn't trying to have a kid at the time, but but you were not not trying clearly apparently But you know what's so interesting about what you said about the biological clock I tell all my friends of Age Freezer eggs. Yeah, cuz I just feel like that is the best thing that you can do as a woman And as you decide to go on this journey like I feel like well, I did that and I you you froze Yeah, I froze my eggs and I felt like Once I did it because I was still playing professional tennis and you know I felt like I wasn't ready to stop and I wanted to keep going and you know It just wasn't time and then all of a sudden all this pressure came off on my shoulders Like it was just all this weight just fell off my shoulders once I did that then I told a lot ever ever since then I told everyone to do it and someone how old were you when you I was in my 20s. I was like 27 28 so yeah, so it was it was a really good time to do it and also Someone told me to do it so always felt like it was really important for me to pay that forward Because then nowadays with technology, there's just so much that you can do. Yeah, like you said even with IVF which you know is also such a great journey as well and You know, I just felt like I just felt so much better I just felt so much better. Yeah, that I actually had that option. So Yeah, so we had that's what we were able to do as well. So I mean there's so much pressure on women just to you know I mean, you know, if you don't get Get that part right. There's still a feeling that something is missing I don't know about all of you, but I know that when I struggled to conceive I Took that on like a personal failure I mean, I don't think that we have that conversation enough about how many times that Either you conceive and you have a miscarriage or whether you can see even it doesn't work. Yeah So I feel like the only times is work when you're not trying to conceive but that's right It just I think that's just a really important part of just being a woman and it just all these things I'm all about just breaking down these walls and talking about the uncomfortable And talking about things that so you could more about Rome, but it's okay. Not that now. That's a different type of conversation. I Wasn't sure we were here for that So it was I don't know I just feel like a lot of people aren't really Women aren't really open like it's kind of like, you know Like menopause and perimenopause like so many like my mom's generation and no one's open about that conversation My mother said she didn't remember I was like you lying Exactly or it didn't bother you my mom right, you know, that was nothing. Yeah, right. It's never nothing to them Yeah, and I'm just like but now I think this generation is all about it Like the more the more you know about it and the more you can you know, just tell people about it like I try to tell everyone about I tell all my friends listen, I started a Prettna zone why not? Yeah, and it helped me sleep better and help me do that And they're like really I hadn't done that got my girl. You better do it I hear you so and you know, I'm all about just talking and having real raw open conversations Because I think it's so important like not to hide what all of us go through that's absolutely Doesn't matter what color you are. I'll call you are it doesn't matter where you're all gonna go through it So I think it's so important to have those conversations. So back to the kids I think it that too is just like, you know It's important to say like, you know, this didn't work out for me or this is how I had my kid You know or this is what I did and this was my journey and then it also helps you feel Mori like oh, it's okay. Yes, like oh, I You know one thing when I was pregnant. I'm I checked my underwear every single time I went to the bathroom I mean sure we all did that at some is it still there exactly It's like when no one talks about that because it's just a natural it's almost like a natural reaction It's so true. Yeah, it's like cuz you just have stress the entire time you're pregnant until you actually give the baby Then you have a whole another stress, but that's right But it's just like Just you know having those conversations I am so with you one of the reasons why I like to be open and honest is because We didn't have that necessarily and the truth is is that We don't pay enough attention to women's health There's so much we don't know about our bodies so much that doctors don't share with us Even the issue of conceiving and freezing eggs If you don't have the right doctor at the right time you may not get that information I still know young women who aren't thinking about freezing their eggs because nobody mentioned that to them So it becomes do you have the right doctor? Are you are you in the right location? Even if you get married later, you can still use those eggs with your husband It doesn't like it's just so you just have so many more opportunities and options and so I don't know for me I was really happy that I did it Buying a home is a big step and thanks to chase home lending and their local home lending advisors You don't just have experts You have people who are part of your community ready to offer support and guidance so you can feel confident at every stage of your journey Settling into a new place comes down to small comforts real connections and the support of the community You remember when we were growing up and our grandfather Southside who lived two blocks away from us would come over and and Fix things like the plumbing painting repairs anything we needed as a matter of fact Our whole family lived within a two-block radius so they were not only our family. They were our neighbors too and One piece of advice I remember was from our uncle Terry lived downstairs You know what that was he told me don't quit cut the grass right after it rains And I remember that he always mowed the grass in a three-piece suit a fedora and suspenders Maybe he took the jacket off, but he was a gentleman a Pullman quarter he sure was that push lawnmower. Yeah, it was never the electric one Which is why he told me not to cut the grass right after rain because that thing would have never cut anything But we learned a lot about home ownership because Uncle Terry was the first Homeowner that we live with yeah, we knew yeah, you know It's the small comforts connections and local support that make a house feel like a home Wherever your journey takes you we hope you find a place that feels just right with chase home lending You can move forward with confidence knowing help and real value are always close by all the way home Visit chase comm slash IMO to get started There's no commitment and no impact to your credit member FDIC equal housing opportunity So then you got pregnant and you were You were in a grand slam tournament when you when did you whoa I Mean Okay, can you walk us can you walk us back to win when you found out and Because you were pregnant when you won the Australian Open in 2017. I had no intention of winning. Yeah Just for the record you were just I'm just here This is one time I could lose and not be upset about really No, cuz I remember thinking Yes So it all started in New Zealand. I was playing a tournament before Australia and open in New Zealand and I'm not the most positive person on the court if anyone ever followed my career Everyone was making fun of Cocoa everyone see that making fun. I know right Can you smash that in one go like hello You can do better than that Then of course all the someone started pulling up all the pictures the rackets I was like wait, what is this a Serena roast? I was just trying to support just trying to help the girl out. Let's get off my back So anyway, I was at this tournament with the famous attitude that I may have had sometimes And I just had a bad I just lost to this girl that I just I shouldn't have lost to And I just remember I was just so mad that was windy and I was mad at the wind and it was the ball kid I was mad at the ball kid and I was so angry with everything I was so mad and I sure I smashed a racket. I was miserable Yeah, and even in the presser after we all know about pressers. I oh my god. I said I hate this I Never did this in my life. I said I hate this way. I'm never coming back. It sucks. I Was miserable So then next week I'm in Australia and I'm working out and I'm not I'm like why am I breathing so hard? Why are we fun? Anyway, eventually I also my booze were massive massive massive And I was like, okay, I'm just gonna take a test and I took a test it up. It was positive But I was like, okay, this is crazy And um and so anyway, so I ended up going to the doctor and he's like, oh surprise You're like I like what am I like four weeks pregnant? Yeah, you're seven weeks pregnant Wow, and I was like What what excuse me? It was crazy, but then it all made sense So bad, I mean I was really that was the worst of one of the probably one of the worst of the You weren't pregnant those other times. I Was thinking about being a mom I Always wanted to be a mom. Yeah That was probably in the back in my head So so yeah, so then I was like, oh my gosh, so then I thought to myself. Wow self. What we're gonna do Uh-huh and so So there's a baby in here and did you already commit it to play at the open? Yeah, I was supposed to play doubles. I pulled out of doubles and Venus didn't tell me anything But later on she said when you pulled out, I knew you're pregnant. I'm like, how you didn't tell her No, cuz I also felt really bad cuz I was just like I Didn't want to pull out and I didn't want her to be stressed and then it was it's it was crazy I couldn't you know, so I didn't want to stress anybody out So One of my sisters knew and the baby daddy knew my husband. Yeah, that's good. That's good. That's good And my agent knew Jill. Uh-huh. So we just kept and then but apparently Venus knew too So she told like earlier. It was like on the third round in the locker room. She's like she told me and I was like, oh Okay And then I felt bad in the final because I was like I always felt bad It's always like she probably wanted to make take it easy on me because she's always protecting me Yeah, so I was like I wish she had really wish she hadn't I know Yeah, cuz then maybe I don't maybe would have been different maybe it wouldn't have but still I just like to be super fair with whoever I'm playing So yeah, so that's kind of how it happened and then at the end I was nine weeks pregnant and then whoa Oh, it was nuts. So so how'd you feel through? I mean, I was exhausted. I remember playing points and so Most of us are just in bed You know we had a plan we're not like breaking rackets. We just in bed. I had a sleep for that but I remember Thinking to myself. I can't play long points. I need to finish after three shots and I have to be done So I hit like I was like I did lots of winners. Yeah, this is and which is an insane you were on a mission But I hadn't planned on winning but every every time I kept winning. I was like, oh, I can beat her And then you know and I was like, oh, I can beat her and then it was like, oh, I gotta beat her I'm where she pissed me off. So she got to go down There's only one or two of those you just you just revenge your way to the title Oh girl, and then it was another one. I can't I mean I have some sort of So that's how that's how I would have yeah, wow. Wow. So did it feel extra good that you? Yeah, we're able to listen. I was saying so I couldn't have long points So if I had a really long point if you go back and watch the footage I would lose the next point and of course it's only my opponents don't get that they don't get to understand that rhythm Yeah, that's normally not normally how I play But you know when you're getting every eventually you'll see that after a long point Serena loses the next point So you have to because you're trying to catch your breath. You try to yeah Yeah, but I also have to keep a face on that doesn't let anyone know that I'm you know It's like surely can't breathe but a Women can do anything Amen Amen Especially with the help of God do everything and I Knew I was having a girl because Australia gets really high this if we do cells they do Celsius was like 43 is like a hundred and twenty and One day I had to play in 43 and I was like no way There's no way and that's what I knew I'm having a girl because I said to myself no way can a boy Make it. They just sorry y'all. I genuinely have it in you I genuinely said and I told my husband that day. We're having a girl There's no way a little boy could handle everything right this baby under and we had a girl. That's right Olympia was just like mom. We're cool. Yeah, I got you. I'm hanging on hanging in there I wish you'd just win this point, but you know what she has a bad attitude like me. Oh She gets angry if she doesn't win she gets so mad. Well, we don't call that a bad attitude All that competitive Okay, we call that competitive. Yes, that's what we yes. No, that's what we call it. That is not a bad attitude Because if a man that way, yeah, yeah, well, they told me for years. It's a bad attitude. Yeah, I love this But yes, I'm getting some good insights. We're both the youngest and there's something about that Determination I believe and I don't I see it in my youngest we have two girls and I You know, I think when you're keeping up, you know, I know I felt like my brother would deliberately learn how to play a game Go off and then go me. Shh. Let's play And I'm like dude, you you know, he was just gonna beat me down. What's the age difference? It's a year and a half. It's almost two years And so I'm always losing, you know and trying to keep up and after a while you just get pissed You know, so I think there is a young good child Determinant yeah in that. Yeah, yeah, yeah, but that doesn't explain Olympia because she's the oldest I know, okay. I think it was just the situation that she was in. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, so a little bit from it That's okay. So your uh, your labor and delivery experience was also a A journey. Yeah, that was talk about it. That was a journey I am I have these issues with my blood. So I have my blood can clot pretty easily So I have to be on certain type of medicines, especially if I'm pregnant. I have to always take injections every day so When I had the baby I after I couldn't breathe and I kept telling the lady the nurse I kept saying I Can't breathe and she was like, oh well, you know, you'll be fine I said no actually I think I need to get a CAT scan because I feel I think I have blood clots in my lungs And you're in the hospital. I'm in the hospital had the baby you had a C. I've already had the baby I had a C section because she wouldn't come out. I knew I was gonna have to have a C section So I just had a criminal just yeah, I just felt like I feel a lot Mm-hmm, and I don't know three months in I was like I'm having a C section And so when they told me I'd have a C section I wasn't surprised and I went with the plan and also tell women now I say listen Definitely if you want to push go for it, I wish I could have done it But also if the doctor tells you they have to cut do it because I've seen so many kids He's so affected because women want to stick to their plan of I must push I must push and I've seen kids come out Unfortunate and even die because they didn't follow the you know follow with the doctors Well, that's another thing that women take on that birth has to look yeah And I for one was like I went in five centimeters Dialated I thought about natural birth for literally the conversation I had with my doctor that said okay was like eight and I said well How long is it gonna take how much how long am I gonna have to be in this kind of pain? And she said about four hours, and I was like no Stick that needle right in my back. I think I could have done it if she had said an hour Right if she had said this baby's coming an hour. I'm like, okay. I can do it but four hours Yeah, I was like so I mean I applaud the women that can do I well it's wonderful Yeah, it's not me for you But I'm all I'm like are you called the ring of fire? Oh, yes. I know I never want to meet the ring I don't know Sam always like would you get your tooth pulled without anesthesia? Is there anybody here? Would a man do that? Definitely not no, I know you're gonna be the butt of all the man jokes He's handling it well though Steve over there cracking up you know y'all are weak So so anyway, so I was I told the nurse that and she just was like this is crazy talk Which it may have sounded like crazy talk For me to tell him what it did give her exactly quote-unquote what I needed and how I needed it And then I started coughing so hard so all my stitches just like burst open because I couldn't breathe And so like my I was holding a pillow on my stomach And I was just coughing because I was just like they're gonna break they're gonna break and I couldn't breathe So I was just coughing coughing coughing and they broke and that was that have that redone I think I had like five surgeries Hmm and that I don't know it was I don't remember some of them and then My doctor came in and I was like I can't breathe. I think I need this the CAT scan this is like After I'd already told the nurse and then because I remember my husband's parents were there And I was in the room and they were talking and they were holding the baby And I calmly walk because I'm again, I'm very calm walking I calmly walked back and I was like I don't want anyone to panic and that's when I told the nurse I can't breathe, you know, I was just like, you know help me out here And she didn't take me serious So then when the doctor came I was telling her I couldn't breathe and she was like, okay, I Could look at her and tell that I don't know if she believed me but she did everything I asked And I was really grateful that I had her and that she was with me for the whole pregnancy journey And it's so good to have a doctor that can the wills into you Yeah, and you know, you might say things that don't make sense, but still she She heard me she listened and then she hadn't listened it would I wouldn't be here Yeah, and she made sure that she did what I asked and then she found exactly what I said So it was then I had to have another surgery to get like a something in my veins to stop Clots from going to my heart. I had so many surgeries It was how long were you in the hospital after you delivered? It was it wasn't that long was only like eight days and you had that many Eight days it was crazy and then you had to go home with a baby And I remember my only goal was to be able to walk to the mailbox as I was like yeah And one day I walked to the mailbox and I came back and I passed out for the rest of the day It was it was very intense. I remember watching the documentary that journey that followed your comeback and It really moved me to see you because it showed you and You and the family leaving with Olympia in the Carrier and you were determined to carry her but it was clear that you were struggling Yeah, it was really physically you were not the Serena Williams everybody Knew but I also was very proud of you for showing that Story in anyone who hasn't remind me that the name is being Serena being Serena This is like watching her journey And her comeback You show it all in a way that is so powerful and if I didn't love you before then I loved you even more just watching your Determination to get that baby home regardless of your health, but you were struggling Yeah, I was really struggling, but I also had some great help, you know and sometimes You know family is so important and not everyone has family And so I just felt so grateful that I did have that at my husband and I had my family and then Because I don't remember the I don't think I remember the first three weeks Yeah, because I remember my husband's sister came to visit and she told me like a year later And I was like I vaguely remember you there. I Would have never remembered it if she hadn't reminded me. I was like, oh my gosh Everything was just so I was on it was a lot. Yeah, yeah But it was good and I think that you know every journey everyone has their own journey and I was blessed to have my journey And I the more I talk to women the more understand and see that everyone's journey is Not everyone but a lot of women's journey is so intense. Yes, and Often worse than mine giving birth is intense Which is why on the line it is why maternal health should not be a political football Because What our bodies do what we are capable of doing is amazing, but the fact that There isn't research done on maternal health. There's a limited amount of information we get about our health We aren't encouraged to ask questions We aren't encouraged to talk amongst each other and I just want us to vow today You know regardless of our generation that we don't pass that down to the next generation That we have we owe them the knowledge the wisdom we want to know. Yeah, I mean They everyone wants to know and they don't want to know if they don't know Yes, right, so it's just like knowledge is power and some it's like when you go to school You would never know the things that you learn unless you're taught those you weren't asked to learn about right so many subjects But you learn about them and I feel the same way about our us and our health and passing on that knowledge And I think it's just so important So we're back in LA for another round of IMO recordings and it's all-star weekend I know how's how's your trip going? You know really well and Kelly and the kids are here So we're gonna try and check out some of these all-star activities Yeah, you know, it's been a busy time at home with the boys basketball schedules And we've got a busy week of recordings here in LA So it's always nice having a relaxing place to stay while I'm here. I know what you mean I mean, I don't have that issue but I know from from your experiences that when you're on the road You got to have a place that feels kind of like home exactly and this this time my Airbnb has a steam shower a fireplace but Mish I know you've got quite a busy schedule of your own You and Barack are prepping for a really big week of events the grand opening of the Obama presidential Center in June, right? Yeah, yeah, we are so excited about the opening the art in it is amazing And we can't wait to share it with the community And with the world that's so great And I'm sure Chicago will be seeing a lot of visitors that week Including myself and my family with Airbnb local hosts can offer those travelers a proper welcome and with visitors Arriving from all around the world for a big event like this It's even more important that people have some comfortable places to stay So if you've got a place you're not using during a big event in your hometown Consider becoming a host on Airbnb It's a great way to make some extra money and a fun way to share your city with fellow fans Your home becomes part of their experience and you get to help make their weekend feel even more memorable So Chicago can't wait to see it in June. See you there Well, let's turn to your mother Because so much yeah, everybody talks about your dad and the relationship with your dad and your mom Sits in those stands in a way that I could never She I mean, I just couldn't watch my kids play But she was always there. I had the opportunity to meet her briefly. I think we were in Wimbledon for the Olympics, yes, and I was there representing the United States for whatever reason What's what sport was good? Did you get a medal? I did not I? Got no medal. Oh, but you did you got a few But I met your mom Talk about your mom. Yeah, you know tell us about that amazing woman and what you've learned from her as a mother Well, my mom is a very strong woman. She's definitely not sharing all this information though Yes, really came from that generation where mine either. Yeah, Marianne. It's like don't remember anything. Yes She's very tough my mom's very tough and she's she's actually the oldest of her siblings So she's always been a mom. Yeah, and you know, it's interesting to to to be something that you've always been and then To grow up and to become a mother and then she also took care of our grandkids. So well her grandkids. So my mom You know growing I'll start growing up Growing up. I wasn't the best tennis player was always Venus who was so great And so I was demoted to my mom's court because my dad Venus Venus always played with my dad and Because he was better than my mom he actually taught my mom my mom must have been an incredible athlete to learn how to play really that fast And so from there, I would always be on her court And so I always wanted to be on my dad's court because he was more easy going and he was more fun people Oh, he was easy. Yeah, really? Yes So on my mom's court, there was no games I like I had to be serious and I had to be do all this stuff But then looking back I was able to see that She was able to instill so much mental toughness that I had that my sister actually and did not end up getting Because I had to do so much. I had to work so hard. I had to do so many more things on her court Like there were no games. It was so serious like it was just it's I was very in the end I was very grateful that I had that time with her to just focus on technique and focus on Just not letting anything go because it really showed up in my game as a professional athlete and mental and mentally and physically And so that came from my mom Mm-hmm. And so my mom then she traveled with us actually the first tournament I ever won we had to split again my dad was with Venus and I was with my mom in Paris and I was it's my first time and I think I was like 16 and I Remember we shared a room because I love Paris so I remember like we were at this hotel on the other side of the song the river and I Remember that we shared a room and she as she had the bed and I slept on the cot because I love sleeping on a cot Okay, all right, that's news you can use Serena Williams loves a cot I Remember every night I wanted to watch cartoons Because you guys were big cartoon people you like That on the kids but no, I'm still a big kid Yeah, so So I was still pretty young. I still had an excuse And so she didn't mind and so like she made she watched it with me every night And so such a good memory and it's a good moment I remember every night after I would win a match because I always played this I was in France and I played Oh, my whole draw was French people And the stadium was probably the size of this room, but it was loud loud loud loud loud loud and so Every time I played everyone was massively against me naturally because I'm playing their country person Nothing personal It was crazy and so every night I come home like wow, I can't believe I got through that and then every night So I just got to shut off my brain. We watched some animated something and then and then that was that and so Eventually when I won I was just remember being so happy and then I remember we called Venus and she Had in one so she played another match and she won her tournament. So we both won different tournaments and We were so happy and so So then you fast forward a little bit more We start winning Grand Slamms and my mom was there for all the Grand Slamms and our first Olympics was actually in Sydney And my mom was there. My mom's also very clumsy One time she loves sweets So one time we were at Wimbledon and we see this woman hobbling along the road and I'm like mom What is my mom? Oh my god? What's going on? What you need to see a doctor. I'm good. I'm gonna get some when you just drive past and she's Why aren't you at the house? I need some cookies What like are you oh you were not okay? She had a broken toe But she was gonna get her cookie and she used to always hide cookies under the seat when we were driving She's taught cookies my dad would be like why are all these cookies? I So she definitely has a sweet tooth which is kind of funny, but it's it's I have so many good memories What was it like being coached by your mom? So how did that being coached your was that always good was and because we got a lot of moms out here Probably did their share of coaching How did how did your mom maintain that? Sort of special mom relationship or did she so I think what a lot of people don't realize is that we Travel every time we went to Australia Probably actually every time went to France my mom was always there my dad actually never went to those tournaments And so she was always our coach for all that time and so I Don't know how many Australian opens I've won and she a lot. Yes So she basically coached me through all of them and I remember one time when I was 89 in the world and everyone had written me off. I was like 20 something and They said I would never win again blah blah blah and She told me before in the final before I played I think I was playing Maria in that final Maria share proba. She was like she said you've got this You're gonna do that. She told me exactly how to play and I won in less than an hour And it was really genius So she actually was a very great coach and she'll say little things my mom is not someone that that's gonna fill a room She's gonna say one word. Yeah, but it's gonna be the most powerful word in the room and that's it And so she'll say one thing like you need to attack the forehand If it's low or there's something but you have to listen Yeah, and if you listen you can catch on to it and you can like okay, and that's the kind of person She is even in life, you know, she always says like one about raising my kids She'll be like you need to be with those girls. Yeah, and so no matter what's happening in the world or what we're all going through I always remember I got to be with those girls You know because she was always there with us and now the looking back like she never spent a day away from us All the girls. Yeah, and so and then she's also the kind of person like my sister Unfortunately passed early on and she's the kind of person that I remember when she found out like we all were just traumatized She just dropped everything and she moved to LA actually and then she took care of the grandkids and she raised them and she never moved back So that's the kind of person that she is she's very she's used to responsibility Yeah, and she has a lot on her shoulders But she's so proud to carry it and then now she's instilled that into all of our daughters to just carry that power To carry that strength and to pass it on to our kids and to my kids and and all the other grandkids So it's really she's an amazing person Yeah, that's this the quick version. Yeah, so much that I can say about my mom, but I love The last thing I'll say Is yeah, we do talk about our dad a lot and we wouldn't be here without our dad Yeah, obviously obviously wouldn't be here with my mom, but I've always described My mom as if my I was described us like this my dad is the body Because it was his vision. It was his goal and it was his dream But my mom is a spine You cannot function without that spine and nerves that come from it the nervous system You can have a dream you can have everything all set, but it's not gonna work unless you have that part of you Yeah, and so that's kind of how I describe my mom. Yeah, yeah So what kind of mom are you are you a spine like mom? I always ask this question a lot about parenting philosophy Because I think one of the things I admired most about my mom Me my mom didn't go to college. My parents were working class folks. She was the middle of seven but my mom was so Emotionally intelligent and she had such great common sense Just like just like you're mine wouldn't have to say much but everybody wanted to hear from her and one of the things that I learned from her was that You know, you just don't have kids You have to understand that you're raising people and so her approach to raising us was to Talk to us like who she wanted us to be later on, you know She didn't treat us like baby. She loved us dearly But she believed that all kids are born with a level of intelligence and ability and she treated us that way So she taught me like as I grew up I was like my mom had this really deep philosophy About parenting, you know stuff you learn in sociology and psychology classes just came Naturally to her so I kind of think about parenting as this huge responsibility To think about where am I trying to get my girls? Not how I feel in the moment. So I always wonder What folks parenting philosophies are? and and do you think you have one and how would you describe your your mothering approach So Venus is a planner. She writes everything down even when she got married. It was just Boom everything was just over. Oh, it was a lot. Yeah Don't worry is this coming full circle So she was always a person that read books like that would get through everything like would know exactly what she wants to do So I I think I'm different. I don't have like a like that plan. Yeah, I never had like a philosophy I just As organized as I am in my life like to a point where everything is labeled my parenting skills is different I kind of feel like Obviously, I have spiritual goals for the kids. I have you know Ideas for education goals. I have those types of things, but I never really thought much about Over I don't my philosophy is just to be the best that I can to show up And to also be I felt like I love my parents and how they raised us And just kind of pick and choose out of the some of the things that they that they raised us with in particular with my mom How she raised us so for me, I really try to be a present parent And sometimes that's hard especially with the lives that we live is very hard to be present But I try to be extremely present. How do you manage that? I mean everything is around my kids If it's like if I have to do something it I never more I'm gone more than 24 hours ever Normally I didn't leave Olympia until she was six for 24 hours So that was that may have been a little extreme, but I that's who I am Mm-hmm And so for me I show up every as much as I can every single day for the for the girls because I feel like They mean the most to me and I feel like they need me and they They need to make sure I want to raise my children. Yeah, I'm a person that's raising my kids Yep, and that's teaching them how I want them to live and how I want them to be That's beautiful So like me you have two girls yes Wanted to copy you. Yeah, you're so inspiring to me and three years apart way to go How is that? To I always thought I was gonna have three boys. I don't know why you know I don't know why I always thought I was a I was a bit of a tomboy when I was younger I could see you with son. Yeah, I followed around my brother. I love boys. I thought they were funnier than girls I've learned you guys you have some qualities As she looks at Steve So I always thought I was gonna be the sports mom the you know and then I have these two girls and I am so grateful for my little women and They are just amazing grown women now 28 and 24 out in the world And I can tell you I have loved every second of mothering every second But it's just interesting the same gender To girls and I talked to my friends who have boys and they're like boys are definitely different You know like Malia and Sasha could sit and color for hours We could get on a plane and I thought Mothers of boys you all laugh at that right I Mean they sit and read and color and you can talk to them and there's no Throwing anything. I don't think we had a lot of balls around the house Then I go to my brother's house who have Nephews and they would come to visit at the White House and they just walk in sweaty You know, I mean I was like why are they wet? You know You just got here and they come in damp and just throw cars and balls all on the first floor of the White House And I'm like ooh, this is different. But anyway, I digress Your precious little ladies How are they? How does it feel being a mom? To daughter. Yeah, I've as you know, I've always wanted to be a mom. I've only wanted girls I could have ten girls. I would be happy I grew up with four sisters Yeah, so I was the fifth sister. I've never been around boys Yeah, so when I got pregnant actually had a quick panic attack I was so certain it was a girl, but when they took the blood to do the blood test. I was like, oh my god I don't know what to do if I have a boy. I've never been around boys. I'm really like I was going crazy I was like I can't have a boy So I remember I was not so I have no I was like, I don't know what to do Yeah, so that That's all I know is girls and I just always want to go. I've always been the growing up. I always were dresses I was that girl with the princess. Yes, you're twirl. You know, you know, two twos like that was all me And so yeah, I love dressing them up. They're actually right now I think Olympia is wearing a Mulan dress as we speak of course because they're at Disney World So she must be in Milan. Yes The little one is wearing Anna dress. Oh, okay So I'm like, oh, can you go buy them nor dresses? So I'm like all that I'm just yeah, so my older daughter is very much like me like very much like girly girly girl and my younger daughter is somewhat like Somewhat like me always describe her as like a she'll wear a princess dress with tennis shoes. Okay. Yeah Yeah One of my sisters played with cars a lot so she reminds me a little bit of her she loves hot wheels But she'll wear she'll wear hot wheels while wearing like a Rapunzel. It's like where's my Corvette And Olympia and I have never we is Olympia's five years older than So we never played with Cars and stuff. Yeah, so we're all like, oh, this is actually really fun So Olympia and I are always playing with the dearest toys like oh So it's nice that we have a little bit of a mix like that is really fun. Yeah This episode is brought to you by Apple gift card the perfect way to celebrate graduates and empower them for their next adventure I've had my two older kids graduate plus of course my nieces and nephews and Finding the right gift could be tricky if your kids are like mine They'll always have opinions right and I've learned the best gifts are the ones where they get to choose That's why an apple gift card just makes sense. They can use it for everything. 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You know, I like keeping things simple and that's exactly what Apple Card does When you use Apple Card with Apple Pay you can earn up to 3% Unlimited daily cash back on every purchase you make no matter where you shop And let's talk about fees because honestly nobody likes those which is why Apple Card doesn't have any no annual Foreigner transaction or late fees no fees period Plus when it comes to security You can shop with the peace of mind knowing Apple Card is built with the advanced security of Apple Pay Including face ID and touch ID. So you're the only one who can use it Apply in the wallet app on your iPhone today Subject to credit approval Variable APRs for Apple Card range from 17.49% to 27.74% based on credit worthiness rates as of January 1st 2026 existing customers can view their variable APR in the wallet app or at card dot Apple comm Apple Card issued by Goldman Sachs Bank USA Salt Lake City branch terms and more at apple card com How do you Balance your parenting philosophy with your husband How are you? Well, I learned from him about parenting. So one thing I like he loves he's a And this is a positive word now, okay? Yes, he's a nerd Okay, yes, it is very much very positive especially a nerd with a job. Yes, we love nerds. We love nerds nerds pay the bill So he's all about explaining Okay, so he'll like a lot of explaining So he'll like so Olympia does something he'll like to Olympia like okay So, you know, why do you think you're learning about this? And then he goes into this whole reason as to why and I'm like, hmm, that's good So I like how he I like how there's like a balance. Yeah, like he like kind of gives her the reasons and she Understands like, you know, she'll ask a question About something he'll get he'll go in a deep version about it But it's nice because then she gets she gets that knowledge and she really you know really gets it and then for me My philosophy is like, what do you like to do? How are we gonna do this together? You know, it's super important not to ever Diminish what he's doing as as our as as the man of the house You want to make sure that you're always uplifting him. That's that's my philosophy So I always want to make sure that we're on the same page Yeah, and also with things that I want like I want the kids to you know, do this to Whatever sport or to go to this school or you know, just coming together for those decisions So yeah, so I feel like we work very well in that that part. That's great. It's great. I always say You know, you can have one kid and You know swear you're a good parent. It's like I got this Look at me. I know all the things and then you have the other one and You know, they just Kids babies they come into this world as their own individual cells truly And that it's a beautiful thing. I mean like like snowflakes really But it can be a Challenge if you think that you know one size fits all in parenting as a parent when I make a mistake I make sure I say sorry Absolutely because it is important for first of all to have that humility and to teach my daughter's humility and Second of all, I never want them to think that I can't a mom can't apologize to someone younger So I've been wrong a few times with Olympia and I am the first to tell her you're right I didn't do that right you were you're I'm sorry and so it's just I think it's a good practice for me and Hopefully maybe someone else but I feel like it's a very good thing to do I totally agree and I've apologized a lot raising kids in the public eye, you know, I mean We both have have done it It is it just makes the process ten times more Unnerving Because you know you worry that your kids can't make mistakes because everybody it's gonna be on page six You know, I mean we would have those kind of conversations about you know You know You have to our girls had to learn to think like comms people like comms directors And at a very young age and it served them well today I mean they are very poised very mature, but it's a lot of pressure That they didn't ask for yeah How are you approaching The public nature of who you are how you live How are you thinking about that at the stage in the girls life? So that's one thing that I try to do and I Never as public as you I can't imagine a scrutiny that you guys had to go through especially the children every single day So for me, I try to I just try to make sure that my children are very normal I pretty much live under a rock. I live in a very small town in Florida Where I can go anywhere and it's normal because Michael Jordan also lives there sort of like Everybody's like we all want to go to this magical place Where you can run into Serena and Michael at the 7-eleven and Tiger and everyone I've bold where that is because everybody's gonna be there And so everyone is normal, but it was really important for me not to Normal ish A lot of athletes live in this town. I don't know why like wow But it's great because It's been normalized as we've been all living in there for so many years But it works and so for me I try so hard to make sure the Olympia is Just like everyone else like she's not seen as anyone special. I don't tell that she's special I never told her I played tennis, you know when she started reading she saw me and she asked questions It's like what is what are you doing mom? Come sit back in the audience with everybody else put that racket down She's like mom, why are you in my book? So eventually she But I don't live that life. Yeah, you know think that I You know and this is funny, but it's also very true We also have friends that are very famous So when we hang out with them, they seem extremely normal. Yes So we go to Michael's house or Tiger's house. It's like, okay, you're good. Yeah, so it is very average Yes, and so that's what I want them to do I don't want them to ever feel like because I don't want them to Feel they're better than anyone else or they have an advantage because that just we don't need that anymore And the system that we live in. Yeah, we just need some kids that are just as normal as you can be So that's what I do and if they want to grow up and they want to be a great athlete or they want to be a great programmer and they have every right to do that and Yeah, they're gonna have an advantage because of the life that I've lived, you know in their life My husband lived sure they're still gonna have an advantage But they're still gonna have to work hard to do there and to make any goal that they want to make and so for me It's super important that they understand that and that They don't feel like they're better than anyone else. Yeah. Yeah, I hear that you Served as the classroom. Yeah, I was room mom because I love my daughter Obsessed what when was this recently? You know since she was in second grade. Uh-huh. Yeah, tell us about that Serena on the text everyone you bring cookies. That was me. That was you It was so fun because I got to go to the school every day or I wanted I could be in the classroom Yeah, one time I was there for the spelling bee and I was like, you know Just you know pretending to work on the library Watching all the kids spell then poor Olympia got her word wrong and I was like, oh Poor kid. She did her best though, but she tried but I didn't say anything I pretended I didn't hear because I didn't want her to feel the pressure that I was there and it was so fun I got to help organize all the I love organizing So I got to organize all the food for the teacher appreciation day and all the field the field trips and Everything okay, so your your daughter doesn't know who you are, but those teachers and parents know You know what they're really cool about it like no, they're really really they only they're really cool I feel like they don't you know, they don't treat anyone any different throughout the whole school Yeah, and you know and the school is also very tough So you have to really be on it and go show up every day and so it's really nice Well We are running out of time and I know it's been short, but I want to give Us time to wrap it up and I would love for you to share with this room of mom of moms especially moms of athletes who have made a level of sacrifice What advice do you have? What parting words of wisdom Do you think you can share I know that's heavy Yeah, I don't know about advice. I feel like you guys have done it. You've already you've made it I mean to be in this room is a super win already. I would say I have more Appreciation I'm sure you hear from your kids, but if it weren't for you you would we wouldn't be here We wouldn't be on these teams and you know what I just as As someone that had my mom supporting me You know it is I feel so grateful to my mom every single day to give me this opportunity to believe in me Even when things were rough and things were down to show up every day for me, you know to be there when I Didn't want to be there to tell me to go an extra day when I didn't want to go You know so I think I think all your sons can agree that they're super grateful For what you guys have done for them because without you they wouldn't be there So I think you guys deserve a huge pat on the back a huge round of applause and so So happy for the opportunity that you've given your children And what's next for Serena? Life that you want to share not trying to break. Hey Girl, I'm just like how you doing and what's going on you got so much on your plate What are you most excited about next? I'm most excited about Well getting back to my girls. Yes And I don't know I feel like there's a lot I have a lot of opportunities And just deciding which ones I want to go with and see how I'm which direction Okay, that was a good way to not that was a good way to absolutely say nothing I'm healthy, so it's I'm just happy to see you are great. You look great. Yes. You look great. Thank you, Serena Thank you. Thank you for taking the time to be with us. Thank you. Yeah, thank you for your honesty your openness Keep doing that the world needs this information They need to see their idols being normal human beings in the world being grounded And protective of the people that they love. I am always proud of you I'm happy to share this stage with you and hopefully we'll do something again soon. Yes, believe me The pleasure was mine. I had so much fun. Thank you all for having me Can we take a selfie before we go? We can I just want to say thank you to all the moms on behalf of this mom here Thank you for your sacrifice for your your love for you know Setting the foundation for the next generation It is the most important work that a person can do in life. I think is to raise a decent human being Because I think that if everybody took that job as seriously as everybody in that this room You know, we'd solve a lot of problems that way just by taking care of the people we choose to bring into this world So we are grateful to you all You