They say that a mother's work is never finished, and that's an adage that Melania Trump is keeping close to her heart.
The wife of President-elect Donald Trump is anxious for her son Barron's protection as he enters on his adult life, insiders told People, with mother and son remaining in close contact.
The former and future First Lady has long endeavored to keep her son out of the political fray, and she does not see her duties as a mother lessening with her son attracting more public attention than ever.
“Melania worries about the hate in the country and how it falls on her son, who is innocent of any of this,” a source told People.
According to sources, Melania wants her son to make friends, but she has encouraged him to beware of "haters" with ulterior motives.
"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."
Melania's guarded attitude has no doubt been influenced by her own experiences with being double crossed by former associates who went on to blast her in public.
And her concern for her son's safety is certainly justified after an election year that saw her husband, Donald, survive two assassination attempts as his political rivals compared him to Hitler.
Barron has constant Secret Service protection while he attends college classes at New York University's Stern School of Business. Melania and her son talk about their unique experiences with being in the spotlight, sources told People, and she does what she can to give him a normal life.
“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.”
Earlier this year, Melania confirmed that Barron is living at his family's Trump Tower residence in Manhattan while he attends school nearby. While he remains physically and emotionally connected to his mother, Barron is said to be a popular student on campus.
The college freshman may not be able to have a typical life, but he has found a safe way to socialize with peers through online gaming.
Meanwhile, a day is coming when Melania will have to make room for another woman in Barron's life, with insiders describing him as quite the ladies' man at school.
"He’s tall and handsome. A lot of people seem to think he’s pretty attractive — yes, even liberal people like him," a source said.
