Ashanti Opens Up About Balancing Motherhood and Tour Life: “I’ll Need Some Extra Hands!”

Ashanti openly acknowledges that it takes a community to nurture a child.

In a private discussion with PEOPLE, the 44-year-old singer and actress expresses her joy in her new role as a mother to her 7-month-old son Kareem Kenkaide, affectionately known as KK, with her spouse Nelly, and she is already making future plans regarding her life as a working parent.

“This will be my inaugural tour as a mother,” shares Ashanti. “Obviously, we require additional assistance. There will undoubtedly be more bags, as I already tend to travel with too much baggage.”

“However, [we intend to be] much more mindful of time and [allocate more time to] preparation, as you can never predict what may occur,” she notes.

Throughout most of April, Ashanti will be touring the U.K. and Ireland on the Bring It on Tour alongside Sean Paul and Fat Joe.

Later that month, she will participate in the R&B Forever Tour with Ginuwine, Tyrese, and others in Brooklyn, followed by a one-night concert in California in early May with Fabolous, Lloyd, and more.

With baby KK accompanying her on the tour, Ashanti mentions that having a meticulously planned schedule for each day will be extremely advantageous.

“[I will be] aware of time and my surroundings, certainly limiting access to many people, refraining from allowing anyone to enter with shoes, just to avoid germs and similar concerns,” she clarifies. “I’m definitely in Mama Bear protective mode, eager to safeguard my baby.”

Fortunately, Ashanti shares that her “momager” — as she refers to her mother Tina Douglas — will be there to assist.

“Momager is not kidding around. She refers to herself as Tima. Not grandma, Tima. Because her name is Tina. So Tima will be present,” she tells PEOPLE with a chuckle.

In general, Ashanti states that she has been thriving as she adapts to her new identity as a mother.

“Everything’s healed, I’m well, nothing unusual,” she remarks. “It just feels wonderful to be able to move around and carry my baby, and, you know, take action. It’s a delightful experience.”

“The one aspect I will mention is that I need to really dedicate time to intensively work out at the gym and return to my routine,” she adds, however.

Tickets to witness Ashanti perform can be acquired here.