Ashley Tisdale Gives Herself Grace While Awaiting Baby #2: ‘I Allow Myself To Feel However I Want To Feel’

The actress talks about raising her daughter to be confident and her passion for early literacy.

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Some of us will always think of her as Sharpay Evans from the High School Musical franchise, while others have come to know her as Candace from Phineas and Ferb. However, it is in the role of mom that Ashley Tisdale shines the brightest.

Being a mother and nurturer is not always easy, but it has the potential to show us who we truly are. As a mom of an adorable young daughter, Jupiter, 3, Tisdale doesn’t take her daughter's education lightly. And, she’s especially passionate about early childhood literacy.

With baby number two on the way, Parents recently spoke with Tisdale about parenting her daughter, how she's prepping for the baby, how she's giving herself grace as a mom and wife, and her new partnership with Leapfrog’s Reading Journey.

Giving Herself Grace

As a busy pregnant mom, Tisdale says she now allows herself to fully embrace her feelings unapologetically.

“I just allow myself to feel however I want to feel," Tisdale explains. "I am not like a huge napping person, but being pregnant, you get tired. And so I'm just like, I need to take a nap. I tell my husband, ‘It's your turn, now. I need rest.'”

Tisdale is not afraid to set boundaries and let her needs be known. “It's not the easiest thing in the world [being pregnant]. It's so stressful on our bodies, and for me, it's really about being mindful, meditating, and remembering to be present.”

If you follow Tisdale on social media or have been a fan for a while, you already know she's big on self-care. She even has a line of beauty, wellness, and self-care products at Target called, Frenshe. And, she was eager to offer up some of her self-care go-tos.

“I have a huge body care line and I developed it when I was pregnant with Jupiter. So, to have the chance to use it this time [while pregnant with baby #2] has been pretty awesome. It has everything I love, such as bath bombs, hair and body mists, and lotions,” Tisdale says.

Soaking in a nice, hot bath is also one of Tisdale’s favorite pastimes. “My husband knows that. When I have had a long day, he already knows to start the bath. I'll throw in a bath bomb, put on a meditation, and put my candle on. And, I love to create a spa-like experience at home. It's a habit that is so easy to do after putting Jupiter down, and it gives me a relaxing and refreshing moment.”

Tisdale isn't taking this time before baby number two comes for granted because she understands that things change when there are two kids. When asked about the best advice she’s received about what to expect when the baby arrives, she candidly shares, “Everyone says to get ready! I think with your first kid, you’re like, ‘I’ve got this!’ But, with two, I know it’s going to be a whole different thing. So, I’m prepared to know that there may be more chaos around here, but I’ve chosen to lean into that, and not fight it.”

Advice to Kids and Teens on Confidence

Tisdale says she recognized early on that her daughter already has a mind of her own and is quite confident.

“Confidence is super important, and Jupiter is one of those personalities that’s very sure of herself. She has an opinion, and she's had one since she was little. She's always known what she's wanted, and if you've ever given her choices, she’s specific. When I go into a toy store and say, ‘You can get anything you want’, she’ll pick one thing, and that one thing will be exactly what she wanted.”

Tisdale says she believes it’s important to nurture children to have their own voice and opinion early on. Like her daughter, Tisdale says she's always been confident as well.

“I've always known what I wanted. I have always been confident in my choices. I think that it's just not about following. We're all meant to lead in some way," she says. "We have to remind our kids that it's good to be different. We're not meant to be all the same. When I was younger, I didn't think about that. I had different hair than other people, and I thought that was a negative thing, but now I understand that it's the most positive thing, you know? It's so good to be different and unique because that is what makes you who you are.”

A Passion for Early Childhood Literacy

Tisdale says reading books is essential during Jupiter’s bedtime routine. A few of Jupiter’s current favorites are the Christmas Hippopotamus books, The Wish, and Buenos Dias: Good Morning.

“The girl has endless amounts of books. It's pretty wild. We just found her Christmas Hippopotamus book. I don't know if you know that song, but they made it into a book and for some reason, she thinks it's the funniest thing ever,” Tisdale explains.

Because of her daughter's interest in books, partnering with LeapFrog was a no-brainer for Tisdale. She says she’s admired the brand.

“I have known them [LeapFrog] for years and [early childhood literacy] is one of those milestones that is a bit overwhelming and stressful when it comes to teaching your kids to read," says Tisdale. "But, my daughter's 3 and a half, and she’s very interested in learning to read. And to be honest, it was like Christmas morning when we got all the products. She loves every single one of the products, and they’re so helpful. They do a great job teaching those fundamental reading skills. Our favorites are the Mr. Pencil Scribble and all the Write & Read literacy products.”

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Read the original article on Parents.