Since joining The Real Housewives of Orange County on Season 17, Jennifer Pedranti has been an open book ... even when it means sharing tough insight about her family and personal life. And in a recent interview at Bravo Headquarters, she kept up the pattern while talking about her difficult co-relationship with her ex-husband, William “Will” Pedranti.
"Co-parenting with my ex is non-existent," Jennifer told BravoTV.com (as shown in the above video). "It's truly non-existent, and I'm never going to stop trying to change that."
Jennifer then pointed out that her ex is in a serious relationship with a good friend of hers — her former interior designer — who she adores and thinks is a "great girl." Thus, it's upsetting that the couples can't just get along, especially because she shares five children with Will (20-year-old Harrison, 17-year-old Dawson, 14-year-old Greyson, 12-year-old Everleigh, and 10-year-old Dominic.)
"For me, it's so frustrating. Why [are] the four of us, who have nine children between us, not doing a better job being co-parents?" Jennifer said. "But they live very private lives, they're very religious. They don't align with my new life."
Her new life with her fiancé Ryan Boyajian, that is. "Ryan and Will, [there's] nothing [between them]," Jennifer continued. "And I have to say Ryan has picked up way more slack than he should've, and so there's frustration for Ryan."
Jennifer Pedranti's relationship with her son Dawson
On RHOC, Jennifer sat down with her 17-year-old son, Dawson, to discuss his apparent affinity for breaking curfew — and his feelings about personal space while living at Ryan's house.
"Sometimes I just sit in my car because I feel like I don't really want to come here," said the teenager. "I feel like this is the only thing we talk about. I just feel like you're always in my ear. I feel like we never talk about anything else besides 'What's wrong with Dawson?'"
While Jennifer tried to understand his issues — was she too strict? did he not like Ryan? — Dawson said it was more a question of respect.
"I feel like when I'm here I don't really have a personal space; you text and call me all the time. And while dad does have a one-bedroom apartment, he understands that it's his space and my space. We both respect each other. Being here, my space wasn't really respected. So I feel like it would be better to go somewhere where it is," he said. "I do feel like I am closer to dad. I feel like if I could, I would like to be closer with you."
In the end, Jennifer told her son that she'd be better about giving him his space. At the same time, she'll "never not be his mom" and stop doing what she needs to do to help him better himself — even if it means letting him live with his dad. And then, she hopes he'll decide to come back.
Hear more from Jennifer in the above clip.
