Tia Mowry is clearing the air and reclaiming her truth. After finalizing her divorce from Cory Hardrict in 2023, the actress has been transparent about what life looks like now as she raises their two children, Cree and Cairo. But when she referred to herself as a “single mom,” the internet had opinions. So, Mowry took a moment to speak directly to it on her terms.

“Family can look different than what we imagined and still be full of love, stability, and joy,” she wrote in a July 22 Instagram post, sharing a photo with her children. “This is my truth, and I want to share it.”

She made it clear she wasn’t dismissing dads who are involved. She acknowledged how hard it is for mothers who truly have to do everything alone. But she also wanted space to tell her own story—a version of single motherhood that’s often misunderstood.

Mowry reminded everyone that after 14 years of marriage, things don’t just reset overnight. “For me, in my household, I am SINGLE,” she explained. “I don’t have a partner, so I’m holding it down for everyone at home. I’m the only parent present day to day.”

Those early days after the split were filled with worry. She carried guilt. She wondered how her children would cope with the changes. But even in the messiness, she and Hardict committed to putting their kids first.

“It’s not even about being a ‘single mom,’” she said. “It’s about recognizing we need to normalize different family dynamics.” Just because two parents aren’t under one roof doesn’t mean the family is falling apart. It just looks different.

Back in December, she shared similar sentiments during the holidays, posting a photo with her kids by the tree. “Different doesn’t mean less than,” she wrote. “The most important thing is keeping the traditions alive for my children, because no matter how it looks, we are still family.”