Having more than one kid can be as overwhelming as it is rewarding. First babies are a whole different ball game than second, third, and fourth babies. Sometimes, rules loosen as more kids come, and parents feel more sure of themselves and what they’re doing. But more children can also lead to chaos, which is best mitigated early and often. For parents of multiple children, there is a lot of advice floating around out there, but some of the best parenting advice comes from celebrities who also have big broods.
Getting unsolicited advice as a mom is always frustrating, but these A-list moms and dads just wanted to share their tips and tricks from their own experiences to maybe make all the rest of us with big families have an easier time. Here are 20 celebs with multiple children who have figured out some major parenting secrets.
Hilaria Baldwin
Dean McDermott
Tori Spelling’s husband, Dean McDermott, once wrote a whole blog post about parenting multiple children called “Five Kids, One Dad.” In the post, he wrote about how important it is to make each child feel special. He sets “dad dates” with his kids where they each do an activity with him that they really like. That way, they get some quality bonding time together.
James Van Der Beek
James Van Der Beek has five kids, which he thinks allows him and his wife to see their parenting skills in action.
“The nice thing with this many [kids] is that you see your parenting mistakes in real time,” he told Us Weekly. “Anything you do to them, they immediately do to each other. You realize, ‘Oh wait, we’ve got to really dial in this conflict/resolution thing.'”
Kris Jenner
The momager raised six kids, and she knows a thing or two about being a parent. Kris told Us Weekly last May that her secret was, “Just listen, pay attention, really talk to them, be a part of their lives.” She added that her kids are now all her best friends, so it sure seems like she did something right.
Kourtney Kardashian
With three kids of her own, Kris Jenner’s daughter Kourtney has learned to give herself some grace as a parent. Kourtney told Health that she struggles when her kids aren’t listening to her.
“Especially if you’re on a time crunch and trying to get out the door. I don’t always have as much patience as I’d like,” she said. “But I try to remember, ‘It’s not that big of a deal, it’s fine; we’re going to get there.’ It’s about letting go of the plan — it doesn’t always work out!”
Been there, girl.
Joanna Gaines
The Fixer Upper star is a hard-working mama, and she makes sure her kids understand this. In a blog post for Mother’s Day, she wrote about how she explains having to leave for work to her five children.
“I always explain to them that being with them is my favorite thing in the world. I explain that I have to work just like they have to go to school. I also let them know what I’m doing at work that day — whether it’s filming the show or going into the office — and what time I’ll be home,” she wrote. “Taking a few seconds to let them in on this other huge part of my life has really helped them understand that mom and dad have a big job to do.”
Brad Pitt
The father of six has said he views his fatherhood role in a more laid-back way. He wants to “show ’em around, help them find what they want to do with their life, put as many things in front of them, and pull them back when they get out of line, so they know who they are.”
