Mom’s Lunchdate with Amber Stevens, star of HAPPY TOGETHER and Tichina Arnold, star of THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Moms Unite

When moms come together there is a common ground that presents itself, much like a universal language.  Motherhood is it’s own entity whether you are a working mom, stay at home mom, adoptive mom, new mom or a seasoned mom, the experience always provides a relatable connection.  CBS provided the opportunity for a relatable connection by hosting us moms to a delicious lunch from Joan’s on Third with Amber Stevens, star of HAPPY TOGETHER and Tichina Arnold, star of THE NEIGHBORHOOD.  They’re both mothers and sat down with us to chat about motherhood and set babies.  Happy Together airs on CBS, Monday 7;30/8:30C , The Neighborhood Monday 8/7C.

Welcoming Motherhood

Amber is a new mom to a five month old daughter, Ava.  I paid close attention to her because I sat next to her mother during the lunch and I wanted to see how she was handling motherhood as a working mom.   She seemed very calm and well rested even admitting that so far motherhood has been easy for her.  She knew she wanted to continue to work and to also bring her daughter to work on set with her.  She got her wish!  If there is one noticeable change for her it is being able to relax after coming home from work but even that is not a big concern for her because she’s enjoying being a new mom.  Mrs. Stevens bounced her bundle of joy in her arms as she she told us about her how she feels that breastfeeding is a bit awkward.  She was grateful to have a delivery at the hospital because the nurse staff made sure she was well informed on what to do to have a successful breastfeeding journey.

Never feel bad at being the best mom that you can be.  You are only one person.  You can only do your best.  There is no normal.  Normal is what we make it and what we say it should be and not to feel bad about the choices that you make because you’re a mother and are doing the best that you can.~Tichina Arnold

It Takes A Village

Ms. Arnold shared that the number one thing she learned as a mother is to ask for help and admitted that it is impossible to raise a child by yourself. She didn’t expect to be a mother, let alone a single mother and instantly knew to find her village.  Her fourteen year old daughter, Alijah, is a reflection of herself and she compliments her village in helping her to care for her set baby born into the entertainment industry.  Her village consisted of her cast mates and other employees on the set and she utilized the childcare options offered by the studios on the lot.  As for her role as a mom on The Neighborhood, she handles being a mother to grown children by mimicking her grandmother, her mother and her aunt.  These three women were the matriarchs that raised her.

The Shows

HAPPY TOGETHER stars Damon Wayans, Jr. in a comedy about a 30-something happily married couple who begin to reconnect with their younger, cooler selves when a young pop star drawn to their super ordinary suburban life unexpectedly moves in with them. Jake, an accountant, and his dream wife, Claire, a restaurant and bar designer, are very comfortably settled into their marriage, enjoying evenings together on the couch watching TV and scheduling time to change their outgoing voicemail message. Their tame routine gets a makeover when Jake’s client, exuberant music superstar Cooper James, arrives on their doorstep looking for refuge from the paparazzi following a high-profile breakup with his girlfriend. Jake and Claire quickly discover there’s no way they can keep up with their world-famous houseguest’s effortlessly cool, fast-paced lifestyle. Cooper, however, enjoys Jake and Claire’s more relaxed way of life, discovering that a touch of ordinary can be extraordinary for all three of them. Stephnie Weir stars as Claire’s mother, Bonnie; Victor Williams stars as Claire’s father, Gerald; and Chris Parnell stars as Cooper’s agent, Wayne.

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THE NEIGHBORHOOD stars Cedric the Entertainer in a comedy about what happens when the friendliest guy in the Midwest moves his family to a neighborhood in Los Angeles where not everyone looks like him or appreciates his extreme neighborliness. Dave Johnson is a good-natured, professional conflict negotiator. When his wife, Gemma, gets a job as a school principal in L.A., they move from Michigan with their young son, Grover, unfazed that their new dream home is located in a community quite different from their small town. Their opinionated next-door neighbor, Calvin Butler, is wary of the newcomers, certain that the Johnsons will disrupt the culture on the block. However, Calvin’s gracious wife, Tina, rolls out the welcome wagon; their chipper younger son, Marty, thinks the Johnsons could be good for the community; and their unemployed older son, Malcolm, finds Dave may finally be someone who understands him. Dave realizes that fitting into their new community is more complex than he expected, but if he can find a way to connect with Calvin, they have an excellent chance of making their new neighborhood their home.

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Thank you CBS Studios for hosting.  This is a sponsored post and opinions are all my own.