40+ Famous People Who Used “Controversial” Parenting Methods
Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard
Many parents have heard about our first controversial parenting method. Basically, it’s to lock your child in their room at bedtime. To some parents, this seems cruel or extreme. To actors Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard, it’s totally reasonable.
The couple has admitted to locking their daughter Delta in her bedroom until she tires herself out. Kristen has said, “I know that’s controversial, but we… stand outside and say, ‘We love you, we will talk to you in the morning, but now, it’s time for sleep.’”
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith
It’s fair to say that actors Will and Jada Pinkett Smith are rather unusual parents. They’re known for giving their kids Willow and Jaden lots of independence. For example, they allowed daughter Willow to shave her head when she was 11 years old.
The Smiths use the “circle of safety” parenting method. This means that their kids can tell them absolutely anything and not face any punishment. Will explains, “Our concept is, as young as possible, give them as much control over their lives as possible.”
Nikki Reed and Ian Somerhalder
Next up is another pair of actors, Nikki Reed and Ian Somerhalder. Usually, when a new baby is welcomed into a family, there are visitors and photographs with family members. This wasn’t the case in the Reed-Somerhalder household.
Rather, these two turned their phones off and had no visitors for an entire month. Nikki defended this decision, saying, “Otherwise, every five minutes it would be, ‘How are you feeling? Can we have a picture?’ You don’t get those first 30 days back.”
Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher
While many kids associate Christmas with gifts, this isn’t the case for the Kunis-Kutcher children. Actors Ashton and Mila share two children – daughter Wyatt and son Dimitri. These famous parents felt their kids were being spoiled, and asked their loved ones to make a charitable donation in their names instead.
But, there isn’t just one controversial parenting method in this family. Mila and Ashton also revealed on a podcast that they only wash their kids when they see dirt on them. Interesting!
There are all sorts of different ways to raise children. Some people read every parenting book they can get their hands on. Others rely on friends and family for advice and support. The celebrities on this list all use some sort of controversial parenting method. Some are extremely strict, while others don’t believe in discipline at all. Some follow a new-age diet, while others stick to old-school parenting techniques. Join us as we take a look at the strange methods, habits, and rules used by celebrity parents.