Barron and Melania Trump strive for open communication with one another while they navigate the political spotlight.
As the Trump family adjusts to big changes — Barron, 18, recently enrolled in college in New York City and his father, Donald Trump, 78, is approaching his second term as president— Melania’s dedication to her son remains unwavering, two sources exclusively share with us.
“Melania worries about the hate in the country and how it falls on her son, who is innocent of any of this,” a social source says, noting that the former first lady, 54, does whatever she can to support Barron.
“She is and has been a good sounding board for him. They talk about life as it is and how they are in the spotlight,” the source adds. “She tries to normalize his life. If that is even possible.”
Melania and her parents have been strong sources of support for Barron since he was born, the social source tells us. Though Melania’s mother, Amalija Knavs, died in January, her father remains close to the family.
“Melania’s most meaningful moments of life have been with her family, and Barron is the lucky benefactor of that love and caring,” the source says.
Melania and Barron Trump.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty
A separate source from Palm Beach, Fla. — where the Trump family’s Mar-a-Lago home is located — agrees that Melania has always been a present parent.
“Any child in the world spotlight like this would be lucky to have a parent so willing to give her time to help keep his life running smoothly,” the Palm Beach source tells PEOPLE.
The second source continues: “She wants to encourage him to make friends, be super careful of the haters which can be anywhere — especially on college campuses these days — and keep him mentally healthy by having open communication with him and the rest of her immediate family.”
People in Melania’s orbit previously told PEOPLE that she is unlikely to make the White House her full-time residence during her husband’s next term, especially with Barron living at Trump Tower in N.Y.C. during his schooling.
“She definitely won’t be going back to Washington to live,” a friend of the Trump family said in November. “She’ll stay between Florida and NYC. This is not what she signed up for.”
Another source added: “As much as Melania loves Mar-a-Lago and her life in Palm Beach, she will spend more time in New York with her son, who is more important to her than anything else.”
