'It was very hard for a while': Phaedra Parks discusses challenges of raising two boys as their father Apollo Nida serves out eight year prison sentence
In October 2014, she and husband Apollo Nida separated. In April of this year they were officially divorced.
Phaedra Parks has been raising their sons as a single mum since ex Apollo is in federal prison for identity theft and bank fraud.
But The Real Housewives of Atlanta star is not entirely alone, as her parents, family and a 'great governess' are helping out.
On her own: Phaedra Parks, 43, is now raising the former couples' sons as a single mum, since ex Apollo Nida, 37, is in federal prison for identity theft and bank fraud. She is pictured in LA on October 27
The 43-year-old discussed young Ayden, six, and Dylan, three, with People.
Her children have been raised in front of the cameras, and eldest son Ayden has shown an interest in production.
'He's very interested in the running of the cameras. He thinks he can produce the show!'
As for Dylan, he has now reached talking age and will be mic'ed for the first time in season nine.
'At first he was a little wary of it, but then he was like "Where's my mic?" He's really evolved. At the end of last year, you saw him beginning to speak. Now, he speaks all the time – he won't stop talking.'
'I have surrounded myself with people who encourage me': The reality mum, who's divorce finalization will happen on the next season of the show, appeared in good spirits as she discussed young Ayden, six, and Dylan, three
The entertainment attorney has support from her family in raising her children, but admits she struggled with trying to figure out what to do at first.
'Hindsight is always 20/20, but it was very hard for a while trying to figure it out,' she began.
'Things have leveled out now. Boys are both in school, my parents are helping out, uncles are helping out, I have a night manager, a great governess. I have surrounded myself with people who encourage me and really support me.'
While she has love and support around her, she says she does fear for her sons' futures.
'I'm the mother to two African-American boys, so the police brutality and Black Lives Matter movement is a lot to digest right now.
'It makes you very afraid and very cognizant of how you're raising them, what you're exposing them to and what you're teaching to them. You have to make them aware of the country we're living in; the good things and the bad things about the United States. It can be a daunting challenge.'
I'm the mother to two African-American boys': While she has love and support around her, she says she does fear for her sons' futures
On November 1, 2009, Phaedra married now ex-husband Apollo Nida.
Apollo is currently serving an eight year prison sentence for felony fraud and identity theft, after having previously been in prison for racketeering prior to the couple's marriage.
The reality mum does not plan to hit the dating scene just yet, as her kids are her priority, but she does have qualifications for a potential man in her life.
The past: On November 1, 2009, Phaedra married now ex-husband Apollo, who is currently in prison for an eight year sentence. They are pictured on December 9, 2011 in Atlanta
'If I date someone, they have to date all three of us. We'll be a foursome; me and my two kids and him. It has to be a whole family affair,' she pointed out to People.
'I think dating is in the bright near future, but it's got to be someone who's definitely a really good guy. I can't have any crazy at this point in my life.'
As for what she wants in a potential mate, the reality star is looking for someone with 'a good sense of humor, confident, God-fearing, generous, hopefully wealthy, attractive — all of those things.'
Season nine of The Real Housewives of Atlanta premieres on Bravo on Sunday.
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