Reba McEntire has opened up about why her son, Shelby Blackstock, chose to pursue professional racing, revealing that her parenting style and the way she “spoiled” him played a significant role. Learn more about Reba’s honest reflection on raising Shelby and how her support shaped his racing career.
Reba McEntire Explains Why She Spoiled Shelby Blackstock and How It Led to His Racing Career
Reba McEntire, the iconic country music star, has always been a role model for her fans, but recently, she opened up about how her parenting style impacted her son, Shelby Blackstock. In an interview, Reba humorously admitted that part of the reason Shelby chose to pursue professional racing was because she “spoiled” him as a child. Despite her busy career, Reba took an active role in shaping Shelby’s values and encouraging his ambitions, even when those ambitions led him down a path far from her own world of music.
Shelby Blackstock, now 32, has forged his own identity as a professional race car driver. However, his journey to this career wasn’t all about following a childhood dream—it was also about the way his mother nurtured his desires and allowed him the freedom to explore his passions. Reba’s honest reflection on how she raised Shelby offers a unique insight into the importance of parental support, love, and occasional “spoiling” in shaping a child’s future.
Reba McEntire’s Parenting Style: A Balance of Love and Spoiling
As a country music legend, Reba McEntire’s life is a whirlwind of tours, albums, and media appearances. Yet, despite her busy schedule, she always prioritized her son Shelby’s upbringing, ensuring that he was raised with love and discipline. Reba admitted in a recent interview that while she never let Shelby win at games, she did, in fact, spoil him in ways that influenced his path in life.
“When we would play games or cards, I’d never let Shelby win,” Reba explained. “He wouldn’t have learned anything that way.” She stressed that she always wanted Shelby to develop a strong work ethic and character, rather than relying on the comforts of fame and entitlement. But there were moments when she did spoil him, particularly in terms of emotional support and giving him the space to pursue his interests—one of which ended up being professional racing.
“I always told Shelby, ‘I’ll always love you, but I want other people to like you. So don’t be a little jerk. Don’t be a spoiled brat,’” Reba shared, showing that while she might have indulged him at times, she was also firm about teaching him respect and humility.
How Shelby Blackstock’s Love for Racing Took Shape
Although Shelby grew up surrounded by the glitz and glamour of his famous mother’s life, he wasn’t immediately drawn to the spotlight. Instead, Shelby found his passion in professional racing. Despite his mother’s successful career in country music, Shelby decided to carve out his own path in a completely different world—motorsports.
Reba has always been supportive of Shelby’s interests, even when they took him away from the world she knew so well. While Shelby had the resources and opportunities that could have led him into entertainment or music, his love for racing took precedence. Reba believes that her support for Shelby’s racing career, even when it wasn’t the easiest path, helped shape his success.
“I’m very proud of him,” Reba said. “He was a kid who had ADHD and could barely read in school, and now he’s read 10 books this year. He’s always trying to improve and do better. His daddy did a great job too.”
Shelby’s journey into racing was supported by a family who encouraged him to pursue his passions, even if they didn’t align with their own careers. Shelby’s success as a race car driver is a direct reflection of the nurturing, sometimes “spoiling” environment Reba created for him, where he could explore his interests and be himself.
The Influence of Reba McEntire’s Support on Shelby’s Career
Reba McEntire’s unwavering support played a crucial role in Shelby’s career trajectory. While her own career in music could have easily steered Shelby toward the entertainment industry, it was Reba’s nurturing approach that allowed Shelby to make his own decisions. “He’s always trying to improve and do better,” Reba said, proud of how Shelby has evolved both personally and professionally.
Despite Shelby’s celebrity status as the son of a country music legend, he has managed to stay grounded and focused on his own goals. “A lot of people have told me you would never know (he) had been blessed with the life he was given,” Reba noted.
Shelby’s journey into professional racing is a testament to Reba’s parenting: a blend of tough love, guidance, and occasional indulgence. Reba’s desire to give Shelby the space to grow and explore his passions, whether it was in sports, academics, or later in racing, has led him to a fulfilling career, and a humble approach to fame.
Reba McEntire’s Reflections on Raising Shelby Blackstock
Reba McEntire’s explanation of why her son, Shelby, chose to pursue professional racing highlights the complex and sometimes contradictory nature of parenting. She openly admits to “spoiling” Shelby in ways that allowed him to follow his passions, but also maintained strong values of discipline, humility, and personal growth. This combination of support and independence has shaped Shelby into the successful, grounded man he is today.
As Reba continues to watch her son excel in his racing career, she can take pride in knowing that her parenting style, filled with love and balance, helped set him on a path to success. Shelby’s choice to follow a career in racing, despite his famous mother’s legacy, is proof that sometimes, the best way to nurture a child’s future is to allow them the freedom to choose their own path.
If you’re inspired by Reba’s thoughtful approach to parenting and would like to learn more about her family’s journey, be sure to follow Shelby Blackstock’s racing career and Reba’s latest projects.
Stay tuned for more insights into the McEntire family’s inspiring story!
