RHOBH Star Opens up About Being Away From Her Children on Christmas Amid Separation

“Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” alum Teddi Mellencamp opened up about spending Christmas away from her children, Slate, Cruz, and Dove.

In a December 26 Instagram upload, Mellencamp shared that her children spent Christmas with their father, Edwin Arroyave, whom she separated from in early November 2024. In the video, Mellencamp lip-synced to the song, “All By Myself,” in referenced to the 2001 film, “Bridget Jones Diary.” 

“In my Bridget Jones era. If I didn’t laugh at myself, I would cry. First Christmas without my kids, and I know they’re in great hands with an amazing dad, but that doesn’t mean I can’t feel some type of way,” read the caption of Mellencamp’s Instagram post. 

According to Mellencamp, she celebrated Christmas by purchasing “$74 of Thai food, eating cookie dough (who has time to bake) and watched 9 episodes of Lioness.” In addition, she implored her Instagram followers, who share children with their estranged spouses, to give her words of wisdom.

“To all my parents out there going through this, I love you. What are all the tips for powering through?” continued Mellencamp in her caption. 

Teddi Mellencamp Said She & Her Estranged Husband Had Planned on Spending Christmas Together

In the December 16 episode of her podcast, “Two Ts In A Pod,” co-hosted by “Real Housewives of Orange County” star Tamra Judge, Mellencamp said she and Arroyave planned on spending Christmas together with their children, despite their separation. She noted that she traveled with her children to see her father singer John Mellencamp for Thanksgiving without Arroyave. 

“The kids were with me over Thanksgiving. So technically, Edwin has Christmas. But we’re all going to spend it together,” said Mellencamp on her podcast. 

Teddi Mellencamp Spoke About Spending Thanksgiving Without Edwin Arroyave on Her Podcast

During the December 2 episode of Two Ts In A Pod,” Mellencamp shared details about her Thanksgiving without Arroyave. She said it was “the first time in 15 years that [they were not] together for Thanksgiving.” In addition, she said while she was “glad to be with” her father and siblings, she was frustrated by their questions regarding her separation from Arroyave. 

“There was just a moment where I had to say, ‘Pump the breaks. I am here because I love you and my kids love you,’” said Mellencamp. 

Teddi Mellencamp Thanked Her Estranged Husband on Instagram

Mellencamp expressed gratitude for her estranged husband in a December 27 Instagram upload. In the caption of the post, she thanked Arroyave for making her a stepmother to his eldest child, Isabella.

“16 years ago me and @edwinarroyaveofficial met. I will forever be grateful for that night at Coco Deville. I would never have known I wanted kids until meeting my amazing stepdaughter, Isabella. My love for her changed my life and 5 years later came Slate, then Cruz, and then our miracle baby Dove in 2020. I may be far from perfect but being a mother has been the greatest gift you could have given me. Thank you always and forever,” wrote Mellencamp.