‘It can feel thankless—but it's a really important job': Chris Pratt on the emotional weight of stepparenting

Yahoo

4 days ago

When Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt sat down for a conversation on the Parenting & You podcast with Dr. Shefali, they opened up about a topic that doesn't often make headlines: the emotional labor of stepparenting.
As parents to four children—Chris shares 12-year-old Jack with ex-wife Anna Faris, and shares daughters Lyla, 4, Eloise, 3, and baby Ford with Katherine—the couple offered rare insight into the reality of raising kids in a blended family.
And while the conversation had its light moments, both were honest about the challenges. What emerged was a clear message: Showing up for a child as a stepparent is a powerful act of love. This kind of commitment often unfolds quietly, without much recognition, but its impact can be lasting.
Related: The 3 most important things you can do to ease the transition of blending your family
The invisible work of showing up anyway
Chris Pratt described stepparenting as one of the most demanding roles in a child's life. It's a role often carried out without full visibility or acknowledgment, yet it requires deep emotional presence and consistency.
'If a parent is in there doing the hard work of creating structure for a child and holding children accountable, and it's not a biological child, it can feel thankless,' he said. 'But it's a really, really important job.'
He compared the experience to motion-capture acting, where an actor's performance creates the emotional foundation, even if the final image looks very different. For many stepparents, their presence and effort may shape the family dynamic without always being the most visible part of it.
It's a striking comparison, and one that many stepparents may recognize: the work is real, the impact is lasting, but the acknowledgment isn't always there.
Katherine's decision to get a stepparenting coach
From the start of her relationship with Pratt, Katherine Schwarzenegger made a conscious decision to learn how to navigate this complex role. Shortly after getting engaged, she hired a stepparenting coach—something few parents even know is an option.
'It's been incredibly helpful for me,' she shared. 'And also just understanding my role as a stepparent.'
That support gave her tools to define healthy boundaries, create trust, and build meaningful communication with her stepson Jack. And as she shared on the podcast, it also gave her clarity.
'Stepparenting is extra confusing because you aren't a parent, you're not a nanny, you're not an assistant,' she explained. 'You have responsibilities in all of those areas, but you're not either of them.'
This grey area—where you're expected to contribute but not always empowered to lead—can make stepparenting feel isolating. Katherine's willingness to acknowledge this and seek guidance is something many moms, especially those new to blended families, may find reassuring.
Related: How I created a village with my ex and his new partner
The emotional weight many stepparents carry
Blending a family comes with joy, but it also requires resilience, self-awareness, and deep empathy. Many stepparents work to stay present, supportive, and emotionally available while building trust at a pace that honors the child's comfort and readiness.
Research published in the Journal of Family Issues highlights how stepparents often feel unclear about their role, uncertain about boundaries, and emotionally taxed by the effort it takes to build relationships that may develop slowly over time.
The study found that many stepparents navigate a constant tension between being involved and knowing when to step back. This emotional ambiguity can make their labor feel invisible, even within their own households. From managing expectations to supporting their partner's parenting decisions, the work stepparents do often requires high levels of emotional regulation and patience—without guaranteed validation or closeness from the child.
That work deserves visibility. And when public figures like Katherine and Chris speak honestly about it, it helps shift the conversation away from assumptions and toward understanding.
A meaningful reminder for families everywhere
Stepparents are often the unsung glue in modern families—supporting, guiding, listening, and loving through layers of complexity. They do the school pickups, manage the calendars, hold space for big feelings, and help kids find stability in change.
Katherine and Chris's reflections offer more than a celebrity soundbite. They offer a mirror to the experience so many blended families are living every day. Their openness creates space for more honest conversations about the emotional complexity and quiet strength that stepparenting requires.
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