Ep 18. Mother Doesn't Know Best

Iyanla, Fix My Life season 9 episode 18 is titled "Mother Doesn't Know Best" and addresses the complex and intimate relationships between mothers and daughters. Iyanla Vanzant is a renowned life coach and motivational speaker who has been dubbed the "Queen of Relationship Wisdom" due to her ability to help people navigate difficult situations. She takes on this tough topic by sitting down with three mothers and daughters who are deeply entangled in their family dynamics.

The first mother and daughter to come on the show are Annie and Kiki. Annie is a retired teacher and devout Christian who is struggling to accept her daughter's sexual orientation. Kiki is a successful artist who feels like her mother is judging and rejecting her for being queer. Iyanla helps the women unpack their feelings, fears, and expectations for each other. She challenges Annie to confront her biases and open her heart to her daughter's reality. She also pushes Kiki to acknowledge her own ambivalence about coming out and to prioritize her own self-worth over her mother's approval.

The second mother and daughter to appear on the show are Deneen and Shanelle. Deneen is a single mother who has struggled with addiction and incarceration. She feels guilty for not being the parent she wanted to be and for relying on her daughter to take care of herself and her younger siblings. Shanelle is a young mother herself who feels like she has been robbed of her childhood and forced to grow up too soon. She resents her mother for not being present and for burdening her with too much responsibility. In this session, Iyanla encourages both women to be honest about their hurt and to forgive each other for their mistakes. She helps them see that they have more power than they think to heal their relationship and create a better future for themselves and their families.

The final mother and daughter to come on the show are Kelly and Jordyn. Kelly is a successful businesswoman who has always put her career first. She has struggled to connect with her daughter, Jordyn, who feels like she has been neglected and ignored. Jordyn is a talented singer who wants her mother's support and attention. She feels like her mother sees her as a nuisance rather than a priority. Iyanla helps Kelly see that she has been using her work as a way to escape her loneliness and anxiety. She helps Jordyn understand that her mother's behavior is not a reflection of her worth or value. Together, they work on building a stronger bond and finding ways to communicate more effectively.

Throughout the episode, Iyanla uses a combination of tough love, empathy, and wisdom to guide these families toward a more positive and hopeful future. She encourages them to be vulnerable, to listen to each other's stories, and to take responsibility for their own healing. By the end of the session, each mother and daughter duo has made progress toward a more harmonious and authentic relationship. This episode of Iyanla, Fix My Life is a powerful reminder of the importance of family, forgiveness, and empathy in our lives.