Phaedra Parks is known for many roles, but one she holds dear is being a mother to her sons. The Real Housewives of Atlanta star has two sons, Ayden, 14, and Dylan, 11, whom she shares with her ex-husband Apollo Nida.
The couple welcomed their first child, Ayden, in May 2010, with his birth appearing on season 3 of the Atlanta-based Real Housewives franchise. Three years later, in May 2013, Phaedra gave birth to their second son, Dylan.
Phaedra Parks Embraces Motherhood and Celebrates Her Sons
Not long after Dylan was born, Phaedra and Apollo separated in 2014. Their split coincided with Apollo pleading guilty to bank fraud and identity theft, leading to his eight-year prison sentence. Phaedra chose not to discuss the details of their divorce on the show, sharing in April 2017 that she did so to protect her children.
“At the end of the day, Apollo is their father,” she said. “I want my kids to form their own opinions about him as a parent.” As her sons grew, their distinct personalities emerged, as Phaedra revealed to The Daily Dish in 2016. She described Dylan as physically strong and Ayden as intellectual. Although they were young at the time—ages 3 and 6—their bond was already tight.
“They are the best of friends,” Phaedra said, adding that their playful banter sometimes became intense. From their childhood moments on RHOA to the thoughtful gifts Phaedra has given them for their birthdays, here’s more to know about Ayden and Dylan.
During her first season of RHOA in 2010, Phaedra was pregnant with Ayden, giving birth to him on May 26, 2010. The moment was captured on season 3, episode 8, giving viewers a glimpse of her journey as a first-time mother.
“Motherhood is a complete transformation,” the lawyer shared during a confessional interview on season 3. “It’s a whole new experience, caring for someone beyond yourself.”
Despite the adjustment, Phaedra embraced life in the spotlight. She explained on the show that she and Apollo named their first son Ayden Adonis Nida because “Ayden means ‘fiery one,’ and Adonis means ‘beautiful male,’ which was perfect,” she said, calling him “a little fiery man from two fiery parents.”
As Ayden grew up surrounded by cameras, Phaedra noticed his curiosity about the industry. In a 2016 interview with PEOPLE, she revealed that while Dylan enjoyed being filmed, Ayden showed interest in how things worked behind the scenes, believing he could even produce the show.
Although their personalities differ, Phaedra has always spoken proudly of her sons, often using nicknames like the Prince for Ayden and Mr. President for Dylan.
Although Phaedra left RHOA after season 9 in 2017, she returned in 2022 for The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Ex-Wives Club. During a June 2022 episode of Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Phaedra had a heartwarming reunion with her sons, and Ayden fondly recalled Cohen giving him a giant Snoopy, which still sits in his room.
Cohen shared one of his fondest memories of the show, mentioning how sweet it was when Phaedra took Ayden to his first day of kindergarten.
In May 2023, Phaedra celebrated Ayden’s 13th birthday with a carnival-themed party shown on Married to Medicine season 10. To mark his entry into teenage years, she gifted him $150,000 to invest in property, even though he initially wanted a dirt bike.
“He wanted either a dirt bike or a way to earn money for his birthday,” she told PEOPLE a month later. “I said no to the dirt bike, but I gave him $150,000 to invest in property instead.” Ayden is now exploring the possibility of buying a multi-unit duplex and starting a rental business.
Phaedra also shared a touching Instagram video of Ayden giving a speech on his birthday. She expressed her gratitude to fans who had been part of his journey from birth, school days, and beyond.
Like Ayden, Dylan’s birth was also filmed, airing during the start of season 6 in May 2013. Shortly after Dylan’s arrival, Phaedra and Apollo announced their divorce in 2014. Phaedra explained to PEOPLE in 2017 that she valued her children’s privacy and didn’t want them to see anything negative about their father in the media.
“I wanted to shield Ayden and Dylan from the spotlight when it came to their father,” she said. “It was important to keep certain things private.”
As Dylan got older, he became more comfortable on camera, as Phaedra told PEOPLE in 2016. While hesitant at first, he gradually warmed up to being mic’ed, and by season 9, he was speaking freely on the show. By the end of the year, Dylan had become quite talkative. “Now, he won’t stop talking,” Phaedra joked.
The mother-son duo shares a strong bond, particularly in terms of wit and fashion. Phaedra told PEOPLE that life with Dylan is never dull, sharing a funny moment when he was caught chewing on his toenails and declaring himself a carnivore.
In terms of style, Dylan has developed a love for fashion, as Phaedra revealed in 2022. Unlike Ayden, who wears a school uniform, Dylan enjoys dressing up and is quite the sneaker enthusiast.
“He’s a total sneaker head,” she said. “He orders the latest sneakers online and loves fashion.” Though Phaedra admits her boys can be “a bit bougie,” she’s incredibly proud of them and has instilled a few key values as they grow.
“My rules are simple: be respectful, clean up after yourself, and always be grateful,” she explained. “And I’m not afraid to take their phones away if they don’t follow through!”
