Wynonna Judd is an American country music singer who first rose to fame in the 1980’s alongside her mother,
Naomi Judd, as the country music duo, The Judds. After they disbanded in 1991 due to Naomi’s battle with Hepatitis C, Wynonna moved onto a very successful solo career. Naomi is also the mother of actress, Ashley Judd (Wynonna’s half sister).
Wynonna and Naomi’s mother-daughter relationship has always been tumultuous with Wynonna always late and forgetful and Naomi being critical of her daughter. Wynonna’s weight has always been an issue between mother and daughter as well, as Wynonna has struggled with her weight over the years.
Mother and daughter are now about to embark on their first tour together in years as well as a reality show on Oprah Winfrey’s new OWN Network. They say they‘ve walked through the fire and now shine brighter than ever. Naomi and Wynonna Judd say three simple changes in the way they communicate instantly strengthened their mother-daughter bond. Read more about their relationship below:
The Judd’s Last Encore
The Oprah Winfrey Show
Naomi and Wynonna say simple shifts in communication have made major inroads in their relationship. “What [therapy] taught me, I guess, more than anything is to be nonresistant,” Naomi says. “Being invitational instead of confrontational.”
The women have also worked on setting boundaries and saying no to one another in more constructive ways. “We’re moving forward by saying, ‘Mom, what I hear you saying is that really doesn’t work for you,'” Wynonna says. “I don’t have to like it. I don’t have to agree with it. [I can say], ‘I still think you’re crazy,’ whatever. But I can say, ‘I really understand why you feel that way.'”
Their new found openness, Wynonna says, has blessed them with the gift of listening. “We call it last-drop listening,” she says. “When they’re finished and there’s a pause, rather than thinking of what you’re going to say, you literally pause and you say, ‘Is there more?'”
Watch video of them discussing the 3 changes they made to improve their relationship
