Here’s a story about parenting with a twist. Kristen Bell, the beloved actress from "Frozen" and "Veronica Mars," has opened up about her parenting philosophy with her husband Dax Shepard. They’ve got two young daughters, Lincoln, who's 6, and Delta, who's 5. What makes their approach stand out? They never lie to their kids. Not even the little white lies we often associate with childhood magic, like Santa Claus. Let’s dive into why they’ve chosen this path and how it’s shaping their family dynamics.
Why Honesty Is Key in the Bell-Shepard Household
In a candid conversation with "Motherly Podcast" host Liz Tenety, Kristen Bell explained her commitment to honesty. She recounted advice from a mom she respects deeply: “Don’t ever let, especially a daughter, look at you when they’re 11 years old and be able to think, ‘What else have you lied about?’” This idea struck a chord with Kristen, now 39, and she decided to take it to heart. It’s about building trust from the very beginning, even when it comes to the mythical figures we often use to make childhood magical.
The Moment of Truth About Santa Claus
Kristen shared a pivotal moment when her daughter, just over 3 years old at the time, started questioning the Santa Claus myth. Her little one said, “Something stinks about this whole Santa thing because if a flight to Europe takes that long, how can he make it back?” Kristen and Dax exchanged glances, realizing they had a choice to make. Kristen thought to herself, “Am I going to look at this little girl and tell her to stop the instinct in her body that tells her when something’s wrong and to ask questions? Or am I going to reward this behavior of critical thinking?”
Read also:Ben Affleck Takes Teen Son Fin On Funfilled Aquarium Adventure
The decision was clear. Being honest felt liberating, despite the potential disappointment of revealing the truth about Santa. Kristen shared how she framed it for her daughter: “I thought, I’m giving her this wonderful feminist gift. And then she was like, ‘Oh, that’s a bummer.’” But Kristen reassured her, saying, “Well, you know what? It’s a wonderful imagination game that we play. We can still play it.” Interestingly, her younger daughter still believes in Santa, even after being told the truth multiple times.
Avoiding Bad Habits Through Honesty
Kristen and Dax are setting the stage for their daughters to understand the importance of truthfulness. By being upfront, they’re teaching their kids that certain behaviors, like breaking and entering, aren’t acceptable, even if they're part of a fun story. Kristen explained, “If she’s saying to me, ‘OK, so once a year breaking and entering is OK, I’m going to go,’ ‘Nah.’ And you know what? Good on you for saying something about it.” This approach allows them to instill values early on, ensuring their daughters grow up with a strong moral compass.
Family First: Kristen’s Approach to Balancing Career and Parenthood
For Kristen, the family comes first, no matter what. In an interview with Women’s Health in November 2019, she emphasized that her Hollywood career will never get in the way of her time with her children. “It’s too disruptive to my family [otherwise], and that’s what gives me the fuel to even be creative at all,” she explained. This sentiment highlights her dedication to providing a positive family environment, ensuring her kids grow up with strong values and a loving household.
“If I had to choose, I’d choose them,” Kristen declared. Her commitment to her family shines through in everything she does, making her a role model for parents everywhere. You go, mama!
