James Van Der Beek: A Dad Who Gets It
Let’s talk about James Van Der Beek for a moment. You might know him from his iconic role on Dawson’s Creek, but today, he’s got a whole new title: dad to five kids. With his partner Kimberly Brook, he’s navigating the wild and wonderful world of parenting, and guess what? He’s got some seriously solid advice to share. In a recent social media post, James opened up about the realities of raising kids and how there’s no "one-size-fits-all" approach. Instead, he encourages parents to embrace the journey, listen with an open heart, and let their kids lead the way.
James, who is now 42, captioned a heartfelt post on February 26, saying, “All I can conclude is there’s no one ‘right way’ to raise a tiny human. But here’s the good news: kids will totally teach you how to raise them. It’s not about how you think they ‘should’ be raised, or how that book you read says to do it, or even how your parents raised you. Each kid is different, and that’s the beauty of it.”
View this post on InstagramI spent a lot of energy at photo shoots in my early twenties trying desperately to look half as cool as any one of my kids do in this photo. Clearly, they must’ve been lying in wait that whole time… siphoning off all that cool for themselves. Selfish bastards. 🥰
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Every Kid Is Different—And That's a Good Thing
James went on to explain that every child comes into the world with their own set of strengths, challenges, and personalities. “They come out the box with different needs, and if you listen with an open heart, they’ll make it crystal clear what those needs are. And guess what? Those needs will change,” he joked. “That’s why I feel like the best parenting advice I ever got was this: Connect with them every chance you get. Every moment is an opportunity for connection.”
Think about it—how many times have we tried to force a square peg into a round hole when it comes to parenting? James reminds us that flexibility and adaptability are key. It’s not about following a rigid plan or sticking to outdated rules; it’s about tuning in to your kids and building that unbreakable bond. Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about raising kids—it’s about raising them with love, understanding, and a whole lot of patience.
Heartbreak and Healing: James Opens Up About Loss
Of course, life isn’t always rainbows and butterflies. Last year, James and Kimberly shared the devastating news of a miscarriage. In November 2019, during an episode of Dancing With the Stars, James bravely revealed the heartbreaking experience. “My wife Kimberly went through every expectant parent’s worst nightmare. We lost the baby,” he said. “The little soul we were expecting took a shortcut to whatever lies beyond. You never know why these things happen. That’s what I’ve been telling my kids.”
Despite the pain, James found strength in his relationship with Kimberly. “Kimberly, from her hospital bed, said to me, ‘I am not done watching you dance.’ Kimberly, I love you,” he gushed. “When words fail, you sing. When there are no words, you dance. Kimberly, I’m dancing for you, I’m dancing for us.”
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View this post on InstagramStill in repair. Discovering that healing happens at its own pace. Not the pace you’d like, and definitely not the pace at which the world keeps on moving… But it happens. And there’s beauty in allowing yourself to be exactly where you’re at. (Plus, it’s not like you really have a choice, anyway 💜)
Weeks after their loss, James posted a touching update. “Still in repair,” he wrote. “Discovering that healing happens at its own pace. Not the pace you’d like, and definitely not the pace at which the world keeps on moving… But it happens. And there’s beauty in allowing yourself to be exactly where you’re at.”
Through it all, James and Kimberly have shown incredible resilience. They’ve built a beautiful family together, filled with love and laughter. Their story reminds us that even in the toughest moments, connection and communication can guide us through.
James and Kimberly’s journey as parents is one of strength, vulnerability, and love. Whether you’re a first-time parent or raising a houseful of kids, James’s advice is a gentle reminder that we’re all in this together.
