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Fans of “Summer House” would argue Lindsay Hubbard was a mama long before welcoming her daughter Gemma. Over the past decade, “Mother Hubbard” has hyped up housemates, comforted them, and served them plenty of tough love alongside sandwiches (IYKYK).
Her protective instincts have been out in full force during the highly anticipated “Summer House” reunion, where she hasn't held back in holding castmates accountable. But while fans see an "activated" Lindsay on screen, Gemma only ever sees her calm, cool, and collected side.
“I trained myself early in parenthood that no matter what I’m feeling, Gemma can’t be affected by it,” Lindsay shares during a recent chat with What to Expect to discuss summer with a baby. “No matter what emotion I have, every morning I put on a smile and energy for her.”
From Hamptons Parties to Beach Playdates
Of course, maintaining that perfect zen isn't always easy when you're raising an 18-month-old. (“And she’s a Sagittarius,” Lindsay laughs, a sign that even non-astrologers know is code for chaos.)
Once able to head to a Hamptons day party at a moment's notice, Lindsay now gives herself a strict 30-minute buffer just to handle the unexpected pre-trip diaper blowouts. Her beach bag — formerly reserved for cans of Loverboy and tanning oil — is now a tactical toolkit packed with water, snacks, and gentle skincare essentials.
“I grew up hating to wear sunscreen, but I’m incorporating skincare into Gemma’s routine at an early age,” Lindsay says. Her absolute summer non-negotiable? The new Aveeno Baby Daily Moisture Mineral Face Lotion + SPF 30.
“Before we even step outside, I’m applying this to her face,” Lindsay says, adding that she uses it on her own skin. “It’s not greasy, which is great for mine and Gemma’s sensitive skin. So if I have leftover product from applying to her, I’m going to put it on myself.”
Getting sunscreen onto a wriggly, impatient toddler is a universal parenting sport, but Lindsay found a brilliant hack: leveraging Gemma’s natural curiosity.
“She’s a FOMO baby; she always wants to do what mama’s doing. So when she sees me putting on the Aveeno sunscreen, she wants to immediately do the same.”
Shielding Gemma from the Reality TV Fallout
While wrestling a squirming toddler into SPF is tough, shielding a baby from the glare of reality TV cameras is a much higher-stakes battle.
This spring, Bravo fans learned Lindsay’s castmates, West Wilson and Amanda Batula, were having a fling. Not earth-shattering news — until you learn West previously dated (and emotionally scarred) Amanda’s best friend and fellow housemate Ciara Miller. Oh, and Amanda only recently split from Kyle Cooke, another “Summer House” resident.
Although this drama didn’t affect Lindsay directly, she felt equally betrayed by two people she considered close friends. Even more so when she realized West posted pictures of Gemma on his Instagram to distract from the rumors.
Lindsay was understandably angry. She posts very few pictures of Gemma, and never of her face. It felt like a violation. But even so, Gemma never saw the rage fans witnessed on screen.
“Gemma is the happiest, healthiest, giggliest baby on Earth, and I really do think it’s because I powered through and shielded her from tough moments. As she gets older, it’s important for her to understand people can and should have emotions, and how to regulate emotions. But I’m glad as a baby I’ve been able to maintain her innocence and excitement towards life.”
Lindsay’s Next Chapter “In the City”
Fans are getting a front-row seat to that beautiful, fun-loving bond on “In the City,” the new “Summer House” spin-off. While the flagship show captures the wild weekend escapes, the new series gives viewers an unvarnished, day-to-day look at Lindsay navigating the realities of early motherhood in New York.
“You get more of a day-to-day inside look into my mom life and what I went through in my first year of becoming a mom, which is one of the most difficult years to get through," Lindsay says. “Becoming a new mom is very isolating. You will also see me dating as a single mom, and what that entails.”
Dating and parenting in the concrete jungle requires a village, and “In the City” highlights how Lindsay is building hers — from supportive co-parenting dynamics to close girlfriends who understand the unique isolation that can sometimes shadow the first year of a baby's life.
No matter what drama unfolds on our television screens this season, one thing is certain: Lindsay is tackling motherhood with the exact same fierce loyalty and no-BS energy that made her a star in the first place.
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