Monique Samuels, known for her time on “The Real Housewives of Potomac,” is carefully navigating her life post-divorce, particularly focusing on her children and the prospect of dating.

Returning to Bravo after a hiatus, the 42-year-old reality star is not in a hurry to jump back into the dating scene. She is committed to ensuring stability for her three kids and is clear about her boundaries when it comes to her family. During a visit to the SheKnows studio for their Parents Tell All series, Monique opened up about her experiences as a single mother and the unyielding principles she upholds.

Here are some highlights from her exclusive interview:

Monique’s approach to introducing a new partner to her children:

Currently, I haven’t started dating yet, but if I do find someone special, I plan to take it slow. Before introducing this person to my children, I’d wait at least six months. The first step would be to introduce them to my ex-husband, and only then, as co-parents, would we introduce them to the kids. The ultimate aim is for the children to feel comfortable and to see that both their parents are in a better place. We’ll have to see how things unfold.

Monique’s take on parenting.

I have a lot of hot takes, but the one that I think is the most pressing hot take that I want to let people know is that just because your children are young does not mean they’re stupid. They actually pick up on energy and sense everything more than you know.

What’s unfortunate is that children will go through things when they’re young, and we say, “Oh, children are resilient.” No, they’re not. They’re taught young how to mask their feelings, because they may not feel safe to express themselves when they see that something isn’t right. You’re teaching your children how to be little liars very young. You’re teaching them how to mask their emotions very young. So be real with your kids.

Monique’s best co-parenting advice.

I have a lot of pieces of advice, not that any of it’s taken, but the one piece of advice that I could give to people who are out there co-parenting [is to] keep it about the children. Stop making adult business children’s business. There’s a difference between co-parenting and sharing children. Don’t share your children. Co-parent your children. Don’t put them in the middle. It damages them, and it destroys them more than you know, please. It’s for your babies. Keep it about your babies. Keep the bitterness for reality TV.

Ways Monique encourages her children to practice self-love. 

I always remind them that they are the creator of their reality. How they perceive the world is exactly what you get. Whatever you speak is what happens. So I always tell my children to always speak positive things about yourself. It was something that I don’t think I really grasped when I was their age, and they really do. But for me, self-love is all about just reminding yourself that you are important.

Monique’s strictest rule she has for her children. 

Going to bed at a decent time is the most strict thing that I have when it comes to my children. If you aren’t getting proper sleep, you’re not about to wake up the next day and be driving me crazy when it’s time to start homeschool. Lights out, give you kisses, rub you down with my Mila Eve Essentials, and send you off to sleep. And don’t get out of your bed! Nope, you ain’t waking up for no snacks and water. I won’t hear none of the excuses. Go back to bed.

Monique shares three children with ex-husband Chris Samuels: sons — Christopher (12), Chase (10), and daughter Milan (7). The Real Housewives of Potomac airs new episodes on Sundays at 8/7c on Bravo, with episodes available to stream the next day on Peacock.

Photo Credit: Monique Samuels Instagram