Celebs Share Their (Sometimes Unusual) Parenting Methods
Watching celebrities raise their kids can be very entertaining and inspiring…or very awkward and uncomfortable. Since they have access to money and resources we ordinary folk don’t, they always seem to come up with new ideas to raise a child. Some spoil their offspring to no end while others deprive them of the luxury lifestyle. In other cases, some believe that punishment should be relevant to the crime while others think that discipline is utterly unnecessary. Whatever the case may be, celebs tend to go to the extreme.
We’re going to showcase all the craziest parenting methods that these celebrities actually use! Let’s just hope you don’t get inspired by the wrong people.
Tina Fey
Hillary Duff
Childbirth is usually a difficult and stressful experience. So when it’s all over, some parents want a keepsake to remember it by. This is a little weird considering you already have a newborn child as a daily reminder of everything you’ve been through for the past nine months.
When Hillary Duff gave birth to her son Luca, she decided to keep the stump from his umbilical cord. We always thought that the best gift a mother can get is her child, but apparently, some people want something extra. We imagine they store it in a jar full of yellow liquid that preserves it like in sci-fi movies.
Kristen Bell
Keeping your kids safe can be hard sometimes, especially when you’re a new parent who’s extra worried about your child’s wellbeing. The way we overcome this obstacle is by getting advice from more experienced parents who learned a thing or two from their past mistakes. In Kristen Bell’s case, she relied on her sister-in-law.
Giving your kids a routine that they can stick to is a great way to keep them safe. Not only will it teach them valuable life lessons but also show them how to be responsible and independent. Bell’s sister-in-law came up with a routine for her children where whenever they get out of the car they stick to the side of the gas cap. That way they avoid running into the street and the parent knows where they are at all times when unloading the trunk.
Will Smith
Online media loves the Smith family, every member is a treasure trove of juicy content that attracts millions of readers worldwide. From slapping comedians to putting their private business in the public eye, there are no limits when it comes to the Smiths. Jada Pinkett revealed her parenting tricks when raising her children.
Apparently, the couple doesn’t believe in punishing their kids when they’re doing something wrong. On one hand, it seems like a very modern technique, but on the other hand, how are you going to set the boundaries between wrong and right? Their kids can do anything as long as they can rationalize it, and kids are very good at rationalizing stupid decisions.
Tom Cruise & Katie Holmes
For some reason, after you have kids it feels like time starts accelerating. You start with a baby in your arms and before you know it they’re already graduating from college and moving away to live with their significant other. This is why it’s important to always cherish those little memories for as long as you can.
Or you could be like Tom Cruise & Katie Holmes and let your kid grow up faster than they should. It turns out they allowed their daughter to wear makeup and drink coffee all at the age of 5. We wonder if they were giving her driving lessons and teaching her how to use a credit card at age 10!
Snooki
If you’ve ever seen Snooki on the reality TV show The Jersey Shore you’re probably thinking to yourself “what advice would she give us?”. But remember, reality TV is highly manipulated, and she might have something insightful to share. As it turns out, the way she prepared for parenthood was kind of surprising.
She started by babysitting a toy doll, taking it with her wherever she goes. On one hand that sounds ridiculous and completely unproductive since a real baby has more needs and cries a lot. But you have to remember that some people need to take baby steps when it comes to preparing for parenthood.
Alicia Silverstone
Isn’t the way some animals feed their babies strange? Just the thought of chewing your food, digesting, and regurgitating it into your offspring’s mouth is enough to make us a little queasy. And while we see why some birds need to do it, we don’t see how Alicia Silverstone thinks it’s a good idea to do that with her children.
It seems like she missed the biology lesson where the teacher was explaining the difference between mammals and birds. Specifically how feeding differs between the two. Although some mothers can’t breastfeed we do have modern solutions to that problem. There’s no need to chew your children’s food and spit it out for them.
Celine Dion
Giving your kids freedom to explore the world and everything it has to offer is important. But at the same time, it’s equally as important to show your children how to take care of themselves and teach them the difference between right and wrong. Freedom is important, but so is making decisions for them.
They obviously still don’t know what’s best for them and what actions lead to what consequences. This is why parents are there to help them by intervening when necessary and showing them the consequences of their actions. If you let your kids do things when they feel like it you risk the chance of raising a spoiled lazy brat.
Sarah Michelle Gellar
Teaching your kids not to be wasteful is a very valuable life lesson. These days more than ever we see food waste all around us with companies throwing away food products and restaurants serving portions that are way too big for one person to finish. Sarah Michelle Gellar found out that the best way to teach her child is to lead by example.
Every time her child doesn’t finish the glass of milk she asked for, Gellar takes away a whole quarter from the piggy bank. For a child that’s a lot of money. We’re not sure how some parents will feel about this method, but it will definitely teach their kid to not ask for too much milk!
Dwayne Johnson
Teaching your kids morals and values is parenting 101, on top of that you also should teach them how to behave around adults. Dwayne Johnson set clear goals for his child based on their age. These goals might seem a bit excessive to some, but if done correctly they can raise a very competent and polite kid.
Johnson managed to raise three wonderful children so you know his parenting methods work. Although we think that teaching your eight-year-old how to drive a pick-up truck might be a bit excessive. Nevertheless, learning how to properly shake someone’s hand and showing them the right way to communicate with others without hurting their feelings are great life lessons.
Ice Cube
Being a parent is hard, no amount of books and classes will truly prepare you for what’s coming. But if there’s one thing every parent should do it’s involve themselves in their child’s life. Some fathers think that being present is enough and that the mothers should be the ones to raise the child.
But as Ice Cube put it, “you need to be just as involved”. It’s not enough to be in the room when your child is playing, engage with him and show him that you’re interested in what he’s doing. That way the bond between you will grow stronger and he will see you as more than just a figure who lingers around in the background.
Pamela Anderson
When your kids reach the age where you have to give them “the talk”, oftentimes parents will try and scare their children with spooky stories about how drugs, alcohol, and sex are bad. And although they can be when done in excess, making your child afraid of them is the wrong thing to do. It’ll only push him towards it, and without any guidance from you, they’re sure to get hurt.
That’s why Pamela Anderson thinks the best thing to do is let your kids “drink, and experiment with drugs in moderation…”. On the surface, it seems like a very irresponsible thing to do. But when you think about it, it’s better that they try it in a safe and controlled environment than outside where they can get traumatized or hurt.
Tobey Maguire
Some parents go above and beyond for their kids, they want them to grow up to be the best they can be. These days we have so many parenting methods that it’s hard to tell which ones work best. Maybe it all depends on the child’s personality. Regardless, Toby Maguire decided to use the RIE method with his children.
This parenting method allows your kids to find their own interests and explore what they like. Instead of you pushing your interests onto them, allow them to explore the world and see what peaks their interest. You’re more of a silent observer than an active participant on their journey.
Gisele Bundchen
Raising a child is very expensive with all the clothes, food, and toys they require. But by far your biggest expense will be on diapers, these kids go through so many diapers a week. It became such a burden that some people came up with an alternative way to take care of their baby’s business.
Gisele Bundchen does something that’s called elimination communication. Basically, she lets her child sit on the toilet after feeding and relieves himself naturally. We’re not sure how effective this method is but we do know she probably saves a fortune on diapers. And the child won’t need future training seeing as he’s been using the toilet from day one.
Gwyneth Paltrow
The best time to teach your kids a new language is when they’re young. The main reason is that they remember words and sentences more easily than adults. On top of that, they soak up the language like a sponge, without needing explanations for why language works the way it does.
This is why it’s not uncommon for parents to let their kids watch television in a different language. Sure they might not understand everything right away, but give them time and soon enough they’ll be fluent. We’re not sure if letting them watch television in two different languages is as effective, but only time will tell.
Angelina Jolie
Teaching your kids to be tolerant and understanding of other people’s cultures and traditions is a very important lesson. It seems like Angelina Jolie has found the best way to do so. In her desire to let her kids explore, she raised her children while traveling the world.
It was probably difficult to constantly move from place to place, not knowing the local language or people. But then again, how many kids can say they’ve been to three continents while growing up? It’s no secret some of her children are adopted from different countries. It’s a good thing she let them see the world and allows them to learn about their culture and heritage the right way.
Lisa Whelchel
There’s usually more than one correct way to discipline your children. Every kid responds differently to punishment and it’s important to find a way to do so without physically and emotionally scarring your child. Long gone are the days of threatening your kid with the belt or washing their mouth with soap.
These days parents have more modern ways of doing things, like Lisa Whelchel who puts hot sauce on her kids’ tongues. For many, it might seem like a cruel way of punishing someone, especially a child. But who knows, maybe they’ll end up developing a spicy tooth and won’t have a problem downing raw chili peppers as adults.
Bethenny Frankel
Making sure your kids get all the nutrients they need to grow big and strong is very important. Most experts will tell you that putting your child on a diet from a young age is a very bad idea. Developing children need all the vitamins and protein they can get, depriving them of that can be harmful in the long run.
Regardless, some parents like Bethenny Frankel still choose to raise their kids vegan, while making sure they get all the nutrition they need. Some experts also think that drinking alcohol and using drugs will affect the quality of breast milk you produce, and in turn, harm the baby. But this didn’t stop Frankel either, saying that she had a “Skinnygirl Margarita” here and there.
Mayim Bialik
It’s always important for a parent to be attentive to their child’s needs. Especially in the first few years when it’s crucial to their growth. We have to admit, it doesn’t seem like celebrities have a lot of time to be that close and personal with their children, what with all the filming and PR events they have to do.
But it seems like some of them at least try to be as present as they can. Mayim Bialik tries to be as close to her child physically and emotionally. That means sleeping together, using a sling instead of a stroller, and of course, breastfeeding. That way the baby feels like his mother is there for him 24/7.
Kylie Jenner
We’re sure you’ve heard the saying “born with a silver spoon”? Well, it seems like Kylie Jenner’s daughter was born with a golden one, with diamonds embedded on the handle. Not only does her three-year-old Stormi live better than most people on the planet, but she also spoils her in every possible way she can.
How many parents can say their babies wear diamond jewelry? How about miniature designer handbags that probably cost three months’ salary for most of us? Spoiling your kid historically never amounted to anything good, if there’s one thing we know for sure is that this baby has the potential to be the next Veruca Salt. Just keep her away from any chocolate factories.
Alanis Morissette
Being a parent during the COVID19 pandemic was exceptionally difficult. Parents didn’t know how to keep their children safe while still getting their education. While some brilliant minds came up with the idea of distance learning and utilizing our technology for the better, some took a different approach.
Alanis Morissette decided homeschooling needs a bit of a facelift. Instead of calling it by what it is, she became an unschooling parent. What’s that you ask? Well, it’s the same as a homeschool parent only there are no assignments, grades, or any kind of curriculum. Seems like a pretty relaxed approach to education, we wonder if it works!
Coco Austin
We always worry our children will grow up too fast, that’s why we try to cherish every moment we have with them. But it seems like some parents want their kids to grow up as fast as possible, for reasons beyond our understanding. Coco Austin allows her daughter to wear fake nails and makeup while under the age of 10.
There’s nothing wrong with letting your kid play with this stuff every once in a while when it’s just for dress-up and playing pretend. But when you subject your child to these things before they can even have a basic understanding of who they are, it can be damaging to their self-image.
Penélope Cruz
Bedtime stories are an important part of a child-parent relationship. It builds a strong bond between the two that will last a lifetime. We especially love how Penélope Cruz took this special time and put her own spin on it. Instead of giving her child the same ending everybody hears, she comes up with her own.
So one time Snow white can be a princess and another time she joins the dwarves and mines for precious metals in the mountains. There’s no limit to what the characters can do! That’s exactly what fairy tales are all about, coming up with great stories that’ll stay with your children forever.
Kourtney Kardashian
When we think of the Kardashians, the last thing we imagine is good and healthy parenting. But it seems like Kourtney Kardashian really tries her best when it comes to raising her child. She makes sure not to feed her youngest son any gluten or food dyes, something a wealthy person can afford to do.
On top of that, she’s an avid promoter of the co-sleeping approach which is sleeping near your child, oftentimes in the same bed. It doesn’t sound like the safest thing to do with a newborn child but with older kids, it can be a great idea. It gives you more time to bond and get closer to them.
T.I
Even though we live in 2022, some people still think it’s the 1800s when it comes to how they treat women, especially their daughters. The rapper T.I did something no parent should do to their child. He sent her to a gynecologist to make sure she was still a virgin. Not only is it demeaning and embarrassing, we know for a fact it ruined whatever relationship these two had.
It’s hypocritical because he didn’t care when he found out that his then fifteen-year-old son was sexually active. We know fathers want to protect their daughters, especially when it comes to dating. But there are some boundaries they shouldn’t cross, and this is definitely one of them.
Mila Kunis & Ashton Kutcher
The golden couple that fell in love on the set of That 70s Show is back at it again. This time they’re sharing their unconventional tips for keeping your kids humble and not spoiled. Unlike the Kardashians, the two think it’s wrong to give your kids every worldly desire before they can write their own names.
Instead, they take the opposite approach, depriving their kids of presents and frivolities like jewelry and bags. They even ask their family members to use their gift money towards a charity in their child’s name. An honorable thing to do indeed, but we wonder how their kids will feel when their friends will get presents from Santa and they’re the only ones with nothing under the tree.
Kim Kardashian & Kanye West
It’s really weird when parents try to apply adult concepts to children. The now divorced couple has shared one of the most bizarre parenting techniques we’ve ever heard of. They only allow their kids to wear neutral colors, no bright colors are allowed. God forbid North wears something pink, Kanye hates that color.
It’s a weird approach to wardrobe control, we know that certain colors may trigger certain emotions but we don’t think it’s that big of a deal when your child can’t even talk. We’re sure their kids don’t care that deeply about what they wear. Those baby pictures are going to look awfully drab!
Christina Aguilera
If there’s one thing we think a child shouldn’t have to witness, it’s their parent’s naked body. But it seems that not everybody thinks like us, particularly Christina Aguilera. Instead, she thinks it should be normalized to expose your kids to nudity. And if that wasn’t enough, she also admitted to having lots of paintings of naked women all over the house.
We get that bonding with your child is important, but you have to be careful not to freak them out. We know some parents shower with their kids, which is ok until a certain age. But in her case, she intends to walk around like that no matter how old he’ll get. Hopefully, until he’ll be old enough to ask her to stop.
Chance the Rapper
Handling your baby’s hair can be difficult sometimes. If you ever braided or combed someone’s hair you know it can be very painful for them if done incorrectly. Unfortunately, babies can’t express pain and discomfort as adults do, so sometimes you can hurt their scalp without knowing it.
Luckily, Chance came up with a new way of combing your child’s hair without it being an unpleasant and damaging experience for them. All you need are some common household ingredients such as Argan Oil and Shea Butter alongside a wide tooth comb. The oil and butter will make the hair very slippery and easy to comb, ridding it of all those pesky knots.
Tina Fey
We’re pretty sure everybody knows this, but sleep is a very important part of your daily routine. It helps “reset” your body and relieve you of any stress that accumulated during the day. Not only that, but sleeping allows our body to fight off disease and develop protection against potential health risks.
It’s not surprising that Tina Fey suggests that you should go to sleep whenever you get the chance. It’s not worth risking your physical and mental health for a chore or two that you can do tomorrow. In fact, Fey loves sleeping so much she takes a nap whenever she gets the chance, which might explain why she looks so healthy.
Busy Philipps
All children are different from one another, they’re like our precious little snowflakes. But if there’s one thing that every child has, it’s sibling rivalry. Every parent who has more than one kid has to deal with this, and in many cases it gets ugly and somebody ends up crying or hurt.
But it doesn’t always have to be this way. Busy Phillipps shared a trick that can turn sibling rivalry into more of a healthy competition that will help your kids do what you want them to do. All you need to do is tell one of your kids that you think the other one’s going to beat them at something, sit back, and watch them compete to finish their chores.