REV RUN AND JUSTINE SIMMONS: “NO FAMILY IS PERFECT”
Reality television stars Rev Run and Justine Simmons agree that “no family is perfect”, including theirs. The Simmons, however, feel that it is their duty to inspire others. With their latest book “Take Back Your Family: How to raise respectful and Loving Kids in a Dysfunctional World”, the Simmons are certainly inspiring others to be better parents. In a recent interview with Essence.com, Rev Run and Justine Simmons share how they balance parenthood with being in the spotlight:
On being parents in the spotlight:
Justine Simmons: MTV is our church and everything that happens God wants us to share it with people, it’s not to humiliate our kids but to let people know that stuff happens.
Rev. Run: We do this because it’s our ministry. You can’t find a Rev. Run church but you can find a Rev. Run book or see a show where I’m not preaching but leading by example. I’m coming from a different point of view, and talking to a different crowd. Young folks can see that you can still achieve and have God as your center. You can inspire without having to tell them to go to church.
On maintaining a healthy blended family:
Justine: It bothers me to know that there’s a bad myth about stepparents. Children go into a situation with their guard up, especially if you have other children right away. They think that this person isn’t going to treat me as good as their own. What matters to me is who’s doing the right thing.
On whether or not a parent can be a friend to his/her child:
Justine: You need to have a balance. We don’t get that close where the kids think they can say or do anything. They need to know when we’re playing or being serious or else they will try to see how far they can get away with things.
Rev. Run: It’s all about troubleshooting. I believe that where your attention goes, power flows and my energy and attention is on my family. If I’m being heavy handed, I make sure to tell them that I love them. You have to be tireless and proactive to your families. Talk to your kids and listen to your wife.
On how they handle online rumors about Vanessa and Angela or JoJo’s arrest:
Justine: With the girls being in L.A., we always tell them to have respect for themselves and not to be “out there” because people are waiting for you to fall. And they see it for themselves, that lifestyle isn’t so glamorous. With Jojo’s arrest, we know that this is a path he’s got to walk and work on. You pray that he gets it and doesn’t do it again. For me, under my roof, that is something that you’re only going to get one chance.
Rev. Run: No family is perfect and we’re no different. But we also understand that our purpose is to inspire so that helps to not get caught up and to try to stay on the correct path.
On how parents should handle their “tough” situations:
Justine: I see a lot of parents whose kids are in jail or get into trouble and they keep bailing them out for their whole lives. Children need to understand that you’re not going to reap great benefits if you want to live that type of life.
Rev. Run: If you do good, good things come to you. And if you do bad then some of the good things will be taken away. Anything that is precious to you can and will be challenged, to have to focus and be proactive to take back your family or something.
Rev Run and Justine are parents to three sons and three daughters.
I absolutely love this family! Rev. Run and Justine are such a beautiful couple and their children seem so loving, caring, and career oriented. You can definitely see this is a close-knit family and being in the spotlight has not changed them.
I love them. They are so down to earth. Their show is real without being over the top like Frankie and Neffie.
I truly love this family. Spolied kids, to a degree BUT, respectful kids all the way. I’m pretty sure it takes alot to raise kids in the spot light & it’s probably not that easy but, they seem to be doing a pretty good job. Way to go Simmons Family.
Love the positivity!
my question is what makes them so perfect to tell us NON celebrity folks what to do??
Tia, they clearly said that no family is perfect not even theirs. There is only one perfect person and that is God almighty. But he does have angels and people that he sends into your life for a reason. Their purpose may not be to inspire you, but their purpose could be an inspiration to others. Let’s learn how to all work together to make the best out of our situations. We are all still God’s children!
Do you need a hug?
Me or Tia?
Tia obviously
you can learn something from everyone. We are all works in progress until we die.
Amen to that, Khrish!
And I love this family!!
CONTINUE TO INSPIRE AND SHARE YOUR INSIGHT.
MY FAMILY IS NOT PERFECT EITHER,WE CONTINUE
TO PRAY AND KEEP GOD IN EVERYTHING WE DO.”ALWAYS,
LET THEM KNOW IT’S CONSEQUENCES WHEN BAD CHOICES
ARE MADE”.MAKE GOOD CHOICES AND KEEP GOD IN THEIR
LIFE. GOD BLESS
Unfortunately, they never actually say Jesus’ name on MTV or use actual scriptures so the MTV audience will can hear the holy word the way it was written.
All we get is watered-down daily fortunes. I love the Simmons family but it would be helpful if were truly centered around God instead of around their MTV contract… just sayin
@Suitepuma…AMEN, AMEN, AMEN!!
I agree with you 100%!!!
Truthfully, we really dont know who thier GOD is do we?
Ide like to assume and believe that it is JESUS but if they dont, wont or cant say HIS name then who knows for sure!!!
Just Sayin”…..
You know religion is a sensitive subject matter on T.V. So why would you expect them to go around preaching and quoting scriptures on their show that is aired on MTV?! That doesn’t make any sense.
Shanice, you are so right. They way they talk everyone from any creed can enjoy and cherish. Why cut off those from your audience who have a different religion. I love the show.
Did they not mention Jesus’ name in the eppy where Justine delivered their still-born daughter?
they dont say Jesus no where on TV except the christan stations but if you were smart enough to know that he was talking about things in the bible so can other people.
Some people are never satisfied. The fact that they are a loving, caring family with children who have not been brainwashed by the Simmons name just isn’t enough.
As long as I KNOW they worship the same God as I do, and as long as I KNOW they aren’t editing themselves, then I’m content with knowing they haven’t actually said Jesus or God’s name in scripture.
Geez… some people can’t win for loosing. GO TEAM SIMMONS!
I love this family!
I love this family! They do have respectful kids (minus jojo). Am I the only one who thinks JoJo is adopted??
Look at younger pictures of Rev. Run. Jojo looks just like him. He probably takes more after his mother also.
Every child that is born is unique. I’m sure they don’t have a cloning machine. We only know about JoJo. He made a mistake as humans do.
I don’t care if they worship spinach. I love them for their honesty and for trying. Their messages are positive and there is humility within them. These are values that are almost obsolete. Run has admitted that once upon a time he did many things and he has no regrets because he uses those lessons to teach his children and ours too. What more can you ask for? Once upon a time if a child did something wrong your neighbor got after you and told your parents, which started the process all over again. These days, you can barely just look at people. It truly does take a village and thanks to Run and Justine for trying to be a village.
Amen to that GingerTee!
they have raised well behaved children (minus jojo). Am i the only person that believes Jo Jo is adopted like little Miley??
JoJo, Angela, and Vanessa share the same mom and dad…A couple of seasons of the show the three of them had dinner with there biological mom before Angela and Vanessa moved away and JoJo got emotional. I adored this family!
They have a whole lot of family too, LoL
Blah blah blah. So sick of this family. Shut up already. God this God that. Living in a mansion, driving a million dollar care etc. Their show IS NOT REAL. It’s basically just like The Hills. They are a bunch of frauds. Are any of the proceeds from this book going to charity? Like they need any more money. With a bunch of spoiled children who will never have to work hard or do any REAL jobs.
You do have a point Michele. I would agree with most of you if they did not flaunt the fact that they have so much money. How many children in the world could eat just off of what they spend on Mink coats for their children. I do think they are positive people, but the whole fur coat thing just bothers me.
@ Michele, Suitepuma, and AirForceGirl you all sound bitter.
That’s what’s wrong with black people these days they’re never satisfied always tryna bring everyone else down (their own people mainly) with their pathetic lives
Because these people like to dress nice and they have the money you fault them for that??? smh … RIDICULOUS!!!!