Family Values with YouTube sensations, The Carters
Published:Sunday | July 10, 2022 | 12:09 AMKrysta Anderson - Staff Reporter
Family means everything: the comfort of familial and nurturing love, teamwork among partners and siblings, motivation on the best days, and therapy on the worst. But don’t take my word for it; these are the sentiments of Juliann, better known as Crissy Carter. The Sunday Gleaner caught up with popular and beloved YouTube family, The Carters, behind the scenes while on vacation here in Jamaica.
“We are the type that shares our lifestyle with you. We love to inspire, motivate and help as much as we can. If you want a laugh, real-life encounters, and wholesome, uplifting, family-friendly content, then look no further,” Crissy told The Sunday Gleaner.
Since starting their channel back in 2018. The Carter Family has amassed over 270,000 subscribers and has been watched by millions of viewers from around the world. Her husband. Cushane, came up with the brilliant idea to embark on this thrilling journey. He was already on YouTube creating dancehall reviews when it dawned on him that he could begin a family channel as well.
Crissy, who was doing live makeup videos, took the opportunity to have one-on-one tutorials with her viewers. Over time, she enrolled in his services as her narrator. Shy by nature, the wife and mother was skeptical of public criticism, but her other half convinced her that people would appreciate them for their authenticity. Pretty soon, viewers fell in love with them in the same way Cushane fell in love with her.
Big on family, she and her six siblings were raised in a single-parent household. Her mother, who makes special appearances in episodes whenever she visits, did right by her children, sheltering them from the harsh realities of life. Because her upbringing was surrounded by this love and support, being family-oriented wasn’t an option. It came naturally to Crissy as she became a wife and a mother.
She married her best friend, migrated to Florida and they are currently parents to four beautiful princesses: Kyra, Amelia, Janay, and baby Olivia. When asked how she met her husband, Crissy answered candidly, “Listen! He slid in my DMs (direct messages),” with a laugh. But their history stems much deeper than social media. “We actually have known each other from primary school and he has always had a crush on me ever since,” she explained.
ROLE MODEL
Marriage, she confessed, has presented its fair share of ups and downs, but she is grateful that she gets to build a life with her soulmate. “I have committed in front of God to stand by my husband’s side through sickness and struggles. My most successful times so far are with him. He pushes me to be the best at anything we set out to pursue,” she added.
The moment she became a mother, life as she knew it changed for the better. “It made me more responsible,” she said, noting that she no longer came first. There was this yearning to get more out of life so that her children could have a better lifestyle. “I want to be their role model and for me to be that, had to be different and stand out through thick and thin times.” This scary yet amazing adventure into motherhood would not have been possible, if not for the support of her family.
Cushane chimed in and agreed the parental experience has truly been life-changing. “It was a joy just to know that I can contribute towards life. It never hit me until I saw our baby for the very first time. It was a proud feeling. My heart has never been the same. I am more compassionate towards children, especially females, and I find myself wanting to protect them at all costs,” the girl-dad shared.
Whether it’s debating on a topic, pulling pranks, or engaging in random family fun, you never know what’s in store, unless you tune in. The family runs the show and all chip in when it comes to content while the father and husband Cushane is responsible for editing the videos.
The young stars of the show? Kyra, according to Mommy Carter, is outspoken and competitive, which are traits she inherited from her father. Janay is on the reserved side, loving her own space, well mannered, and helpful. This has Crissy written all over. Determination is at the heart for Amelia who will stop at nothing to get things right. She loves challenges and isn’t afraid to showcase her talents. As for baby Olivia, we’ll let you decide.
The wife, mother of four, and entrepreneur recently became a ‘momager’. Following her daughters’ careers is by far the easiest yet hardest job she has ever had. When the going gets tough, Daddy Carter steps in. But she is happy to show them the business side while allowing them to still be children. Their interests aren’t limited to music and as parents, Cushane and Crissy believe it is important to support their passions and see it through to the finish.
The full-time mom says it isn’t easy juggling several roles, but she would have it any other way. While she is in Jamaica dealing with business, the family can reconnect with relatives, relax and spend quality time together.
Her advice to parents, new or otherwise, is to give children a voice and listen to their concerns. “Take them out with you. Schedule play time and shopping excursions; include them in the kitchen. That will help to strengthen your bond. Never let them step out of bound. Remind them that parenting comes first, then slowly give them responsibility. I promise you are going to have a child you are proud of.”