It takes courage to show the messy parts of life, especially when you’re in the public eye. Kelly Stafford, wife of Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, recently shared a very honest moment with her fans. She got very emotional while talking about the tough side of being a mom.
The 36-year-old opened up on her podcast, “The Morning After,” co-hosted by Hank Winchester. During the August 28th episode, Kelly spoke through tears about one of her four daughters. Kelly and Matthew, 37, are parents to twin girls Sawyer and Chandler, both 8, Hunter, 7, and Tyler, 5. The recent behavior of one of her children has left her feeling a bit lost.
“I’ve been having a lot of trouble with one of my girls,” Kelly explained. “Matthew has too.” She went on to say, “She’s turned into a kid I don’t recognize.” Kelly mentioned trying to understand what’s going on. She noted that these issues aren’t just happening at home. The behavior has “spilled over” into her daughter’s sports activities. Kelly described her daughter “disrespecting coaches and not listening, talking back, walking away while being spoken to.”
Kelly told Hank about a recent family barbecue invitation. She warned her daughter that bad behavior would mean missing out. The morning of the get-together, Kelly overheard a worrying exchange between two of her girls. “Tyler looked at her and said, ‘Wow, you look so pretty in that outfit.’ So sweet,” Kelly recounted. “And [my other daughter] turned to her, looked her up and down, I watched her, and said, ‘You look disgusting.'”
Kelly Stafford and her daughters Kelly Stafford/Instagram
After this hurtful comment, Kelly sent her daughter to her room. The rest of the family went to the barbecue. Kelly and her daughter then took a serious walk. It was a 30-minute trip each way to their school and back. During the return, Kelly had a very emotional talk with her daughter about her actions.
“I told her, ‘I’ve tried everything. I’ve tried sitting near your room. I’ve tried taking things away. I’ve tried talking to you like the young lady you are. Nothing works. I’m exhausted,'” Kelly shared. She also told her daughter, “It’s not fair to your sisters that all my energy right now is going to you every day because you’re misbehaving.” Kelly questioned if it was for attention, asking, “Are you causing trouble? I don’t know if it’s for attention. Tell me, do you need more from me?”
Matthew Stafford, Kelly Stafford, and their daughters Kelly Stafford/Instagram
Her daughter’s reply brought tears to Kelly’s eyes: “I don’t know why I’m so mean.” This raw admission made the situation even tougher. Kelly told her daughter that if she misbehaved again, she’d have to walk to school and back to think about her actions. Sadly, another incident happened a few days later. Kelly kept her promise, but it broke her heart to do it.
“I cried the entire darn time she was walking back home,” Kelly said, clearly still upset. “Yes. And my girls cried when I dropped her off, but I was like, ‘I don’t know what to do.'” She reflected on how it feels to compare her children. “I don’t know if it’s because I also have the comparison to girls who are so sweet and kind and do the right thing, or at least try.” Kelly added, “And I know everyone says, ‘Oh, well, one’s going to rebel. You’re going to have a daughter that goes astray.’ … One, I don’t believe that. And two, I don’t want that to happen.”
Hank Winchester offered comforting words to Kelly. He assured her that she and Matthew are “phenomenal” parents. He told her they are “just trying to do the right thing.” “So wipe those tears, baby. Everything’s going to be alright. We’re all in this together,” Winchester added, showing his support.