A Positive Influence That Changed My Life

Janet Jackson recently expressed her joy over the profound influence her son, Eissa Al Mana, has had on her life. In a heartfelt interview with The Guardian published on September 21, the iconic singer shared, “The most important thing I’ve done, the biggest thing I’ve done, is become a mother, and it’s had a beautiful impact on my life.”

Jackson, who is now 58 years old, described her 7-year-old son as a transformative presence. She initially aspired to have three children but admitted, “I should stop there, that’s probably all I can handle.” She elaborated, indicating the challenges of balancing motherhood with her professional life. “You have to give all of yourself. Obviously, you have to work, but you don’t come first anymore. Your life completely changes. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

Reflecting on her own childhood, Jackson noted that Eissa would experience a vastly different upbringing than she did. She made her television debut at a young age on The Carol Burnett Show in 1975, but assured that, “I worked and he doesn’t. And that’s it.”

Jackson is keen on allowing her son to enjoy his childhood, emphasizing the importance of savoring these moments. “I want him to experience being a child because you don’t get to do this over,” she articulated. “You’re an adult for the rest of your life, so I want him to enjoy each and every minute of being a child.”

In a previous conversation, she revealed that she has not relied on a nanny since Eissa was born in January 2017. “It is hard being a working mother,” she shared with Daily Telegraph’s Stellar magazine. “I don’t have a nanny, I do it all myself. Of course, when I’m working, someone watches him, but it’s my baby and me.”

Jackson also touched upon how her parents, Joe and La Toya Jackson, shaped her parenting choices. She acknowledged the lessons learned from her upbringing, stating, “There are some things you wish your parents had done differently, and you say, ‘No, I’m gonna tell [my son] this.’” She added, “I hated it as a kid, but I’m thankful for it now. I have to give credit to my parents for keeping me grounded.”

She welcomed Eissa with ex-husband Wissam Al Mana in January 2017. However, their marriage, which began in 2012, ended just three months later. Sources reported that Janet felt isolated during their relationship, stating, “Janet felt like a prisoner.”

Despite the challenges following her split, Jackson has expressed immense joy in motherhood. In a reflective moment shared with Billboard in May 2018, she conveyed, “My son, even in his short 17 months on this planet, has showed me that love, no matter how deeply you believe you have experienced that emotion, can always go deeper.”

Jackson revealed that each day spent with Eissa brings her peace and gratitude. “Day after day and night after night, holding my baby in my arms, I am at peace. I am blessed. I feel bliss. In those moments, all is right with the world.”