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See The Sweetest Photos of Phaedra Parks' Sons, Ayden and Dylan Nida
The newest Married to Medicine cast member's two boys enjoy lavish birthdays, fabulous outfits, and more.
Phaedra Parks always goes above and beyond for her kids, 13-year-old Ayden Nida and 10-year-old Dylan Nida, whom she shares with ex-husband, Apollo Nida. Among the perks of being Phaedra's sons (nicknamed the Prince and Mr. President, respectively) are a very fancy private school education, glam photo shoots, and lavish birthday parties. (Anyone remember Ayden's first birthday party with a whopping 12 cakes representing every month of his life?)
When we first met The Real Housewives of Atlanta alum in Season 3, she was pregnant with Ayden. In Episode 8, she gave birth — and kept it very real about the experience. "Oh gross," she hilariously exclaimed upon first seeing her son still covered in blood after a Cesarean section.
Of course, she was elated, though — and up for the task of motherhood. "Being a new mother is a total change," she said in an interview during the episode. "I mean, that's a new life. Caring for someone outside of yourself is a whole different ballgame."
In that regard, she's hit home run after home run — even recently gifting her eldest an "investment property" and $70,000 13th birthday party — and given Bravo fans a front-row seat as her boys grew from adorable babies into young gentlemen. Below, relive some of Ayden and Dylan's best moments over the last 13 years through photos.
Ayden Nida was born in May 2010
On RHOA, Phaedra brought cameras into the hospital room to witness the birth of her first child. "Our baby's name is Ayden Adonis Nida. Ayden means 'fiery one,' Adonis means 'beautiful male,' and it was just perfect," she explained in an episode. "A little fiery man from two fiery parents."
As she put Ayden in a custom crocheted onesie, she added: "You know my baby has got to be the flyest baby in town."
Dylan Nida was born in May 2013
Phaedra and Apollo welcomed their second child, a boy named Dylan Nida, on May 8, 2013. “Mom and baby are happy and healthy,” her rep announced to Us Weekly at the time, adding that the baby weighed in at 7 pounds, 9 ounces.
Ayden Nida had a lavish 6th birthday party
In May 2016, Ayden celebrated his 6th birthday in style: Phaedra threw her eldest son a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles-themed party with 100 of their closest family and friends at Stars & Strikes bowling alley in Atlanta, according to TMZ.
Phaedra Parks shared an update when her boys were 6 and 3
"How time flies," Phaedra said while talking to The Daily Dish in the video at the top of this page. "They are the best of friends. They love a good, playful banter.” Still, the boys have their differences. “Dylan is all brawn, and Ayden is all brain,” she added.
The Nida boys had a Christmas to remember in 2019
Christmas 2019 was particularly special for the Nida family, as it occurred after Apollo’s release from prison. The dad spent some cherished time with his boys for the holidays, and he documented the fun on Instagram.
Meanwhile, Phaedra and her boys had some holiday fun of their own. They dressed up for a glamorous Christmas photo shoot in coordinated red ensembles.
Andy Cohen reunited with Ayden Nida and Dylan Nida at WWHL
In June 2022, Andy Cohen took us on another trip down memory lane when he had the sweetest reunion ever with Ayden and Dylan backstage at the Bravo Clubhouse during Phaedra’s appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen. “I haven’t seen you in so long!” Andy said to Phaedra’s boys, giving them each a hug.
When Andy asked if the boys remembered him, Ayden replied, “I remember you giving me the big Snoopy... I still have it in my room.”
Andy shared a memory of his own, too. “Do you know what one of my favorite moments ever on The Real Housewives of Atlanta was?” he asked Ayden. “It was your mom driving you to your first day of kindergarten. It’s the sweetest — I could cry thinking about it.” Aww!
Phaedra Parks and Apollo Nida supported Dylan Nida on his first day of school
In August 2022, Phaedra shared a big announcement about her son along with a co-parenting update. "So long summer. Hello 4th grade. Mr. President has arrived," she captioned the set of photos featuring her posing alongside her ex, Apollo, adding the hashtags, "1st day of school," "boy mom," and "family."
Phaedra Parks opened up about her boys' fancy private school
Speaking of school... Phaedra shared details of her sons' “very elite private school” with a "hefty tuition" with BravoTV.com in August 2022, and she raved about the "very gourmet" cafeteria. “They have vegan selections, vegetarian, [pescatarian],” she explained. “Everything is fresh to order... I really like to go there and eat lunch with them.”
She also talked about the boys' different styles. “My eldest son, they have a very strict uniform,” she said. “They have chapel day, where they have to wear the little ties and button-downs and khaki pants.”
Dylan, on the other hand, is “uniform optional, so now he loves to go non-uniform,” she shared. “My youngest son is very much the fashionista... He loves designer. He’s a — what do they call it? — sneakerhead. So he’s telling everybody about the latest sneakers, and he collects them... He goes online and he orders all his stuff.”
Phaedra Parks and Apollo Nida celebrated Dylan Nida's 10th birthday together
When Dylan turned 10 on May 8, 2023, Phaedra and Apollo reunited to make the day extra special. Phaedra highlighted the event in an Instagram post, showing Dylan posing with a cookie cake and opening gifts. The carousel concluded with a family photo that showed the birthday boy with his smiling parents and older brother, Ayden.
The celebration continued on May 12, when Phaedra went to his school and treated his classmates to Chick-fil-A. The surprise lunch also included a cake and his class’ rendition of Stevie Wonder’s “Happy Birthday.”
Phaedra Parks bought Ayden Nida an "investment property" for his 13th birthday
For his 13th birthday, Ayden received a gift to help build his future. “I gave him a piece of investment property because he loves investments and money,” she told The Messenger. “He wanted a dirt bike, [but I thought], ‘Let me get you something that you won’t kill yourself [on]. Let me get you something that’s going to be useful.’”
Of course, there was also an over-the-top bash with a price tag to match. “[Ayden] loves carnivals, so we had an actual carnival company come and do the carnival games,” she told the publication of the $70,000 fete. “You could win gifts and toys, but then the kids also played basketball — we have a half court on my property — and they danced, and it was just a fun time. Then the fire handler came and spewed fire, and then the stilt walkers gave us a great show. So I think it was entertaining to all.”
RELATED: Ayden Nida
Why is Phaedra Parks on Married to Medicine?
Phaedra appeared on Seasons 3 through 9 of The Real Housewives of Atlanta. After leaving RHOA in 2017, she was a cast member on The Real Housewives Ultimate Girl Trip in Season 2; she also made guest appearances on The Real Housewives of New Jersey in Season 13 (as a guest at Teresa Giudice's wedding), and in Season 1 of The Real Housewives of Dubai.
She announced during RHUGT — which aired in July 2022 — that she was dating an unnamed doctor. Though she declined to tell her cast mates his name or how they met, she did call him "a good guy" and added "He’s really good with children," noting he'd met her two sons. A week after the episode aired, she told Andy on WWHL that the two had taken a step back.
"We're good friends. I don't think it's a love connection like I thought it might be," she explained. "He's a great guy, but, you know, I am still out there dating others."
However, when her casting was announced in September 2023, it wa rumored that she is dating a doctor.
Phaedra has also become a certified level Reiki Master and is planning on opening a wellness center focused on reiki therapy, healing crystals and more, according to the casting announcement.
Originally published Jul 15, 2023.
