Trisha Yearwood Takes a ‘Step’ Up, Thanks to Jada Pinkett-Smith

Trisha Yearwood's life has changed considerably since falling in love with husband Garth Brooks, including moving to Oklahoma and stepping in as another parent to Garth's three children from his first marriage to Sandy Brooks. But for Trisha, the transition couldn't have been any smoother, thanks to parenting advice from actress/singer Jada Pinkett-Smith, the wife of actor/rapper Will Smith.

"We were at an event together, and she heard me say that I hate the word 'stepmother' because it conjures up Cinderella and all these bad things," Trisha told Good Housekeeping. "She came up to me and said, 'Bonus mom. That's what you are.' I love that. I also sometimes say that I'm the stunt mom."

The singer, who credits Good Housekeeping with saving her own mother's life after a cancer scare, also tells the magazine that when it came to making her feel like a welcome addition to the family, she credits not only Garth and his daughters, but Sandy as well. "These girls are smart and funny, and they've been really sweet to me," she says, adding, "Garth and Sandy have made it easy for me to become a part of the family. Garth gave me good advice: He said just be who you are, and you'll earn it day by day with the girls. And I believe that I have."

While Trisha kept up a relentless touring and recording pace for most of her career, she now says her priorities have shifted. "I like the balance in my life now. Balance comes when you're with the person you're supposed to be with and doing what you're supposed to be doing....it's because of my early dedication to career that I now have the luxury of focusing on making every soccer game and being a bonus mom."

In between soccer matches, Trisha, who released her first cookbook last year, has been working on a second volume. She's also trying to carve out time to work on what will be her 11th studio album.