Why Gretchen Rossi Is Scared for Daughter Skylar’s Teenage Years

Much has changed for Gretchen Rossi in the 11 years since she exited The Real Housewives of Orange County — including the fact that she and Slade Smiley now share a 6-year-old daughter, Skylar Gray.

Upon making her RHOC comeback during Season 19, Episode 2, Gretchen said in a confessional that she felt “like it was just yesterday” that Skylar was born, but time — and her daughter — are both moving at warp speed these days.

Describing Skylar as “a wild daredevil” who is already riding a dirt bike, she added, “I’m legitimately scared [for] when she turns a teenager.”

During the July 17 episode, Gretchen and Slade got together with new friends Jennifer Pedranti and Katie Ginella (along with their respective partners, Ryan Boyajian and Matt Ginella) and gave more updates on their daughter, including that she also loves playing with chickens. According to Slade, Skylar even takes a chicken to the park, and they “go down the slide” together. 

RELATED: Go Inside Gretchen Rossi’s Daughter’s 6th Birthday Party: “Just Plain Silliness” (PHOTOS)

“She has them at school, so every day she’s like, ‘Mom, can we get a chicken?'” Gretchen shared with the group. “They call her the chicken whisperer because she gets the chicken and walks around with it.” 

When Katie asked if they were really going to get Skylar one of her own, she replied, “Well, we’re gonna build the chicken coop in the backyard.”

Gretchen Rossi reveals more about daughter Skylar’s personality

Despite her decade-plus absence on Bravo, Gretchen has shared plenty more updates on Skylar via social media, over the years. 

Most recently, the mom of one gave her followers an inside look at Skylar’s sixth birthday party and penned a touching tribute to her daughter on Instagram.

RELATED: Gretchen Rossi and Slade Smiley Celebrate Their Daughter’s Graduation: “We Are So Proud”

Referring to “Sky” as a “blessing and light in so many people’s lives,” Gretchen wrote, in part, “You truly put a smile on everyone’s faces with your infectious laugh and spirit!”

She continued, “You are such a bold, beautiful [and] brilliant young girl with so much heart, empathy and love for everyone around you! We couldn’t be more proud of you!”

Gretchen Rossi shares a Slade Smiley relationship update

In an Episode 2 producer interview, Gretchen revealed that she and longtime partner Slade “never got married,” despite their televised Season 8 engagement, comparing their relationship to that of Hollywood power couple Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell.

“But we are more in love than we were 16 years ago,” she gushed.

Gretchen also addressed past accusations from some of her castmates — including Tamra Judge, Vicki Gunvalson, and Alexis Bellino — that Slade’s proposal was little more than a TV stunt. 

“The irony of so many of these women claiming it was a fake relationship is most of those women have gotten divorced since then,” she said. “Karma’s a bitch, ain’t it?”

As they reintegrate with the RHOC cast, get more details on the latest in Gretchen and Slade’s relationship here.