Jennifer Hudson Talks 'Teaching Independence' to Teenage Son: 'We Can't Always Hold Their Hand' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Jernnifer Hudson and son David.Photo:Jennifer Hudson/Instagram

Jennifer Hudson/Instagram

Jennifer Hudsonis all about nurturing her son through his teenage years.

The EGOT-winning mom, 42, tells PEOPLE she’s enjoying this “rewarding” season of parenting a teen. The talk show host is mom to a 15-year-old son,David.

“It’s the most rewarding to see him come into his own, being more independent,” she tells PEOPLE. “On the first day of school, I was like, ‘You can go to the gym. I don’t have to drive you. You can ride your bike to the gym.’ He’s like, ‘That’s a great idea.’ He put his little backpack on and he had his basketball.”

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She was thrilled that David “did follow the rules.”

“He did all that he was supposed to do. So, to see him gradually step into the world as a soon-to-be young adult. It ain’t going to be long before he’s 18, so it’s teaching him that independence and seeing how…”

The mom points out that despite instincts to help, figuring things out is part of growing up.

“We can’t always hold their hand. At some point, we have to stop and trust our teaching as parents and know when to give them space to go,” she says. “So, seeing him do that. But the challenging part of it is also letting go. So, allowing that, as a parent and mom. We all know that’s hard to do, and it’s like… we got to let them have that space.”

Hudson is partnering with Dawn to celebrate the iconic Dawn ducklings and share a feather-ruffling offer to help save money and wildlife. Beginning Sept. 17, and for a limited time, shoppers and wildlife lovers can visitwww.dawnducks.comto download a $1 coupon off Dawn Platinum EZ-Squeeze. Dawn will donate $1 to the International Bird Rescue, up to $100,000.

“I’m grateful for International Bird Rescue doing everything that they are doing to save the birdies, that’s for sure,” Hudson tells PEOPLE. “I love me some animals, and Dawn has always been part of my family’s household and our kitchen. So, I love this partnership.”

source: people.com