There's no argument amongst ardent followers of the show 'Summer House' that Lindsay Hubbard graced motherhood much before she received her own child, Gemma. Throughout the past years, the lady affectionately known as 'Mother Hubbard' has been the hypeman for her housemates, offering comfort, and unabashedly serving them tough love.
Conspicuously on display during the anticipated reunion of 'Summer House' have been her protective instincts. Lindsay has held nothing back to keep her fellow cast mates accountable for their actions. What fans see is an 'activated' Lindsay on screen, but behind the scenes, her daughter Gemma only knows the composed, cool version of her mother.
'Early on in parenthood, I trained myself that regardless of how I'm feeling, my moods should never be imposed on Gemma,' Lindsay has remarked in a recent conversation while discussing how to enjoy summers with a baby. She continued, 'No matter what emotion I'm experiencing, every morning I put on a smile and start the day energetically for her.'
Parenthood has brought with it evident changes in Lindsay’s lifestyle. Balancing everything while raising an 18-month-old toddler is not always easy. Her easy-breezy days of heading out to Hamptons day parties at a moment's notice have been replaced with reserved time-slots for handling pre-trip diaper situations.
Lindsay's beach bag that once carried cans of Loverboy and tanning oil has now transformed into a survival kit stuffed with essentials such as water, snacks, and mild skincare products. Her experience of summertime-related preparations before stepping outside with Gemma is not just about keeping her entertained but also ensuring she remains hydrated and protected from the sun.
Incorporating skincare into Gemma's early routine is a major part of Lindsay's preemptive measures against harsh weather conditions. 'I always disliked wearing sunscreen while growing up. But it’s important to me that the same is not repeated with Gemma,' shares Lindsay. She swears by Aveeno Baby Daily Moisture Mineral Face Lotion + SPF 30 as a part of her toddler's skincare routine.
Before they leave the house, Lindsay applies Aveeno to Gemma's face, and also uses it on her own skin. 'I like the product because it's not greasy, which makes it great for our sensitive skin. So if there's any leftover lotion after applying it on Gemma, I make sure to use it on myself,' she adds. Getting sunscreen on an active toddler is similar to engaging in a worldwide parenting challenge, but Lindsay found an ingenious solution: by capitalizing on Gemma's inherent curiosity.
'Gemma is a child who fears missing out. She always tries to mimic what I am doing. So, when she sees me putting on Aveeno sunscreen, she instantly wants to do the same,' explains Lindsay.
While challenges such as wrestling an active toddler into SPF can be tough, shielding her innocent daughter from the glaring reality TV cameras is an even more formidable task. When Lindsay's co-stars, West Wilson and Amanda Batula, were found fraternizing this spring, it did not become heart-stopping news until it was discovered that West was Amanda's best friend and fellow housemate Ciara Miller's ex-flame. Further adding to the spice was the fact that Amanda recently broke up with another 'Summer House' resident, Kyle Cooke.
No, the drama didn't impact Lindsay directly, but she still felt equally deceived by two people she regarded as close friends. What irked her even more was when she found out that West had attempted to distract from the rumor mill by sharing pictures of Gemma on his Instagram account.
Given that Lindsay shares only a limited number of Gemma's pictures, and never with her face, she saw West's actions as a gross violation. Yet, even in her righteous anger, Gemma was never exposed to the violent emotions her fans saw on screen. 'Gemma is the happiest and healthiest baby, and I credit her joyful demeanor to my efforts of shielding her from difficult times and pushing through with a knack for maintaining her innocence and zest for life,' says Lindsay.
Just when we thought we had seen all of Lindsay’s life facets, there's a new 'Summer House' spin-off, titled 'In the City,' which captures her day-to-day adventures of motherhood in New York. Unlike the parent show that primarily focuses on weekend escapades, this series offers viewers an unembellished depiction of early motherhood and its realities.
'Viewers get a detailed look into my life as a mom and what I went through in my first year of motherhood. It's one of the toughest phases to get past in life,' says Lindsay. 'As a new mother, you often end up feeling isolated from the world. You will also get to see me navigating the complexities of dating as a single mother.' Becoming a new mom doesn't come equipped with a manual, but sharing experiences and talking about it is definitely a step in the right direction.
It indeed takes a village to parent and date in a metropolis like New York, and 'In the City' brings to light how Lindsay is constructing her supportive network. From co-parenting dynamics to close gal pals who understand the distinct isolation that sometimes accompanies the first year of a baby's life, Lindsay's support system has it all.
No matter what plotline unravels on our television screens this season, it is apparent that Lindsay is sailing through motherhood with the same unmistakable resolve, fiery loyalty, and straightforward energy that sculpted her into a star in the first place.