Reality star Savannah Crisley has opened up on how she’s dealing with the consequences of her parents reporting to prison.
She spoke frankly on her podcast, “Unlocked with Savannah Chrisley” discussing her struggles to raise her younger brother Grayson and niece Chloe.
Chrisley’s parents, 53-year-old Todd Chrisley and 50-year-old Julie Chrisley were sentenced to prison after being found guilty of tax evasion. Todd was sentenced to 12 years in prison and 16 months’ probation while Julie was sentenced to 7 years in prison and 16 months’ probation.
“I had a conversation with my dad, and he said, ‘This is going to be the hardest but most rewarding thing you’ve ever done’,” she said reflecting on her father’s words of encouragement on caring for her young relatives after he was incarcerated.
“I’m starting to see that,” said Chrisley.
“It’s so crazy because I went from a place, sitting in the same chair of talking about how mad I was at God. Now I’m in a place of such peace.”
She spoke about her challenges raising Chloe, who became a part of her immediate family after her brother’s struggles with substance abuse, as well as her own brother Grayson. She describes how difficult it was to adapt a role as a stable figure while maintaining a sibling connection.
“We need to figure out healthier ways to cope with things and deal with things. Even if it’s just little things that I’m trying to implement. Because I’m not their mom. I’m not their dad. I’m their sister. I want to stay in that role as sister, but it’s hard when you’re in the role of parent and discipline,” Chrisley said.
Chrisley has already experienced her share of hard times. She mentioned having a “full-on breakdown” when trying to find Chloe clothes to wear to visit her parents.
“I am not my mother. How am I going to do this? I don’t feel that I am worthy or capable enough of doing the job she’s done for her all her life,” she said, describing some of her more challenging moments.
But she has since worked things out.
“From here on out, every Sunday, we’re going to plan our meals for the week. You guys tell me what you want for dinner, and we’ll get the groceries for the week, and you’ll know every night what you’re going to eat,” she said, describing her new meal planning strategy.
She also touched on her sympathy for her niece and brother.
“Looking at them, I’m like, ‘You know what, I know how I feel going through this trauma. I cannot imagine how two kids feel going through it. It’s like, you know what, there’s something bigger than me here- there’s a 10-year-old, there’s a 16-year-old and we gotta get through this in a healthy manner.”
Chrisley mentions that her faith and the people in her life are helping her weather the rough times.
She also mentioned that her dad is ‘doing pretty good” and she is thankful that she gets to see him. “They have to say hello through a glass, a piece of glass. That’s not us.”