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Heather Rae and Tarek El Moussa Navigate Marital Discussions Through Therapy
Reality television personalities Heather Rae El Moussa and Tarek El Moussa have disclosed they are attending couples therapy to address differing perspectives on expanding their family. The former Selling Sunset star, aged 37, revealed this detail during a recent appearance on the Scrubbing In with Becca Tilley & Tanya Rad podcast, citing disagreements about having another child as the primary focus of their therapeutic sessions.
Differing Views on Expanding Their Family
Heather El Moussa expressed her strong emotional bond with their two-year-old son, Tristan. “I never wanted to be away from my son. My desire is to be with him continuously, and that feeling persists,” she shared. “He truly brightens my life, bringing immense joy. It makes me question why I wouldn’t want more children. However, my husband feels he is content with our current family size.”
The couple are parents to Tristan, while Tarek also has daughter Taylor, 14, and son Brayden, 9, from his previous marriage to Christina Haack.
Therapy as a Tool for Improved Communication
Heather acknowledged the challenges in navigating differing desires for their future with the Flip or Flop star, emphasizing the positive impact of therapy. She stated that the process has been beneficial in bridging their viewpoints. “It is challenging when we disagree about our future aspirations, and therapy has proven valuable for us,” she explained.
“We have started therapy to work through these matters. It is something we hadn’t explored together previously, and I regret not initiating it sooner. I believe it is incredibly beneficial, enhancing our communication,” Heather elaborated.
Embracing Therapy for Relationship Growth
The El Moussas commenced therapy sessions four months prior and attend at least twice monthly. “Therapy facilitates open dialogue, allowing us to process my emotions and his feelings,” she clarified.
Time Sensitivity and Family Planning
Heather cited her age as a significant factor in her desire to address family planning sooner rather than later. “At 37, and approaching 38 this year, I feel a sense of urgency. It feels like now or never, not that having children at an older age is impossible, but personally, I prefer not to be in my 40s still having babies as it is demanding,” she admitted.
She further explained the significant commitment involved in raising children. “It consumes a considerable amount of time and energy, and my children take precedence over my personal needs. I am ready to have another child, regain my pre-pregnancy body – which was a lengthy process – and navigate the challenges,” Heather added.
Heather also expressed regret for not initiating conversations about having more children with Tarek earlier, especially in the postpartum period following Tristan’s birth.
Postpartum Challenges and Hormonal Shifts
“Postpartum recovery is undeniably difficult,” she noted. “While I didn’t experience postpartum depression, the hormonal fluctuations are substantial.” Heather described the demanding nature of caring for a newborn. “You are responsible for a vulnerable infant who relies entirely on you. It’s not a situation where you can simply step away; they require constant care,” she emphasized.
Navigating Co-Parenting Dynamics with Christina Haack
Earlier this month, Heather revealed her initial reservations about developing a close relationship with Tarek’s former spouse, Christina Haack, particularly before filming Flip/Off with Christina. She also suggested that Christina’s former partner, Josh Hall, had complicated the co-parenting dynamic.
“Christina and I have cultivated a deeper understanding beyond just co-parenting,” Heather mentioned in a recent interview with Realtor.com. “Initially, there were hesitations. We were in a positive co-parenting situation, and we questioned if involving ourselves in this project, especially with Josh’s involvement then, was wise. Concerns arose about potential conflicts and negativity, and whether Tarek and Josh would get along, and how it might affect my relationship with Christina.”
“There was definitely some apprehension. My priority was to ensure a positive dynamic remained between Christina and me, for the children’s sake,” she stated.
Building a Positive Relationship
However, as Heather and Christina collaborated on Flip/Off, their relationship evolved positively. “From the very first day of filming together, we enjoyed ourselves and shared laughter. She even texted me afterward, expressing how much fun she had filming with me,” Heather recounted.
“I reciprocated her sentiment, and our interactions continued to improve with each filming session,” Heather added.
Friendship and Co-Parenting Harmony
Heather and Christina discussed their developing friendship in a joint interview with Us Weekly in January. “We are not constant companions, but we have enjoyed dinners together and had a great time, engaging in lengthy conversations,” Heather shared.
Christina also affirmed the positive nature of her relationship with Heather, stating, “It is wonderful. We communicate daily regarding the children. We are in a very good place.”