Janet Jackson says she is embracing life as a mother to her 7-year-old son, Eissa, and she’s perfectly content with that decision.
In a candid interview with The Guardian on Sept. 21, the iconic performer shared why she decided not to have more children after giving birth to Eissa, whom she welcomed with ex-husband Wissam Al Mana in January 2017.
“I wanted to have three children,” Jackson revealed. “But I thought, ‘I should stop there, that’s probably all I can handle.’ Because you have to give all of yourself, you have to spread the love, and I wouldn’t want any of them to feel left out if I had three.”
The “Rhythm Nation” singer reflected on the immense responsibility of motherhood, noting how it reshaped her life.
“Your life completely changes. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” Jackson said, stating that Eissa comes first before anything else, including her legendary career.
Reflecting on Her Childhood vs. Eissa’s
As the youngest of 10 siblings, Janet Jackson’s own childhood was far from typical. She grew up in the public eye, performing onstage with her famous family and appearing in popular TV shows before launching her solo career as a teenager.
In contrast, she is committed to giving Eissa a more private, carefree childhood.
“I want him to experience being a child, because you don’t get to do this over,” Jackson explained. “You’re an adult for the rest of your life, so I want him to enjoy each and every minute of being a child.”
Learning from Her Parents’ Style
Jackson acknowledged that her upbringing under her parents, Katherine and the late Joe Jackson, influenced her approach to parenting.
While she has chosen a different style for Eissa, she credits her parents for keeping her grounded.
“There are some things you wish your parents had done differently,” she admitted, “but I’m thankful for it now.”
Cherishing Motherhood Later in Life
The Control singer, who had Eissa at 50, has previously spoken about the challenges of becoming a mother at that age. In her 2022 Lifetime and A&E documentary Janet, she opened up about her journey, which included multiple fertility treatments.
“It wasn’t easy… I refused to give up and I have a beautiful, healthy boy because of it,” she said.
Now, her focus is on being the best mother she can be. “I want to concentrate on being a mother,” Jackson shared in the documentary, making it clear that family remains her priority.
A Legacy for Eissa
Although she keeps her son out of the spotlight, Jackson has made it clear that she is saving her accomplishments for him.
During a 2022 interview with Essence, she revealed that she stores her awards in a warehouse for Eissa, saying:
“I’m just saving them for my baby, whatever he wants to do with them.”
