Latest news with #KatherineSchwarzenegger
Irish Independent
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Meet the step-parenting coach: ‘Let go of the idea of becoming an ‘instant family' as that expectation is a fast track to resentment'
Before she married movie star and father Chris Pratt, Katherine Schwarzenegger hired a coach to help her get fit for being a step-mum. We speak to a Kerry therapist who offers a similar service Becoming a parent is never easy, but the situation becomes a whole lot more complicated when someone else's children are involved. Although it's difficult to ascertain how many step-parents there are in Ireland, it is estimated that roughly 2.5pc of Irish children live with step-families. And while most of these blended families are likely to be harmonious, adjusting to a new way of living can be problematic as everyone tries to find their place – and step-parents will need to earn their step-children's trust and tread carefully when it comes to discipline, boundaries and even showing affection.
The Independent
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Katherine Schwarzenegger reveals ‘number one' thing step-parents should do
Katherine Schwarzenegger, wife of Chris Pratt, revealed she hired a step-parenting coach before marrying him to help navigate her role as stepmother to his son, Jack. Schwarzenegger, 35, married Pratt in 2019 and has since had three children with him; Pratt shares 12-year-old Jack with his ex-wife, Anna Faris. She said it was the 'number one thing' that helped her become a step-parent, stating that step-parenting lacks a handbook and is confusing, as it is distinct from being a parent, nanny, or assistant. Schwarzenegger expressed gratitude that she, Pratt, Faris, and Faris's husband, Michael Barrett, co-parent Jack effectively, calling it a "huge blessing." Anna Faris has also spoken positively about the current family dynamic, noting that she is "getting closer" to Pratt and Schwarzenegger and appreciates their support.
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Katherine Schwarzenegger says she hired a coach to teach her how to step-parent Chris Pratt's son
Katherine Schwarzenegger says she hired a coach to prepare for her role as a stepmom to Chris Pratt's son. "It's a confusing thing to navigate where you fit in," Schwarzenegger said of the stepparent dynamic. Pratt added that stepparents often "don't end up getting the credit" they deserve. Before Katherine Schwarzenegger married Chris Pratt, she hired a pro to help her prepare to become his son's stepmom. During a joint appearance with Pratt on Tuesday's episode of the "Parenting & You with Dr. Shefali" podcast, Schwarzenegger spoke about family life and what it was like navigating a blended household. Schwarzenegger married the "Jurassic World" actor in 2019 and has two daughters and a son with him. Pratt also shares a son, Jack, 12, with his ex-wife, Anna Faris. "Number one thing I say is get a stepparenting therapist or stepparenting coach, because I got that right when we got engaged, and it's been incredibly helpful for me and also just understanding my role as a stepparent," Schwarzenegger told podcast host and clinical psychologist Shefali Tsabary. The eldest daughter of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver added that her coach was "essential" in helping her learn how to communicate with her stepchild and think of herself as a stepparent. "Because stepparenting, like parenting, has no handbook. Because I have the benefit of being in both roles, stepparenting is extra confusing because you aren't a parent, you're not a nanny, you're not an assistant. You have responsibilities in all of those areas, but you're not either of them. It's a confusing thing to navigate where you fit in," Schwarzenegger said. She also said that every family has a different dynamic, since different people might have different levels of involvement in their stepchild's life. "And when it comes to ego, that definitely pops up for me, for sure, and I always go back to understanding that this isn't about me, it's about the child," she said. But thankfully, they — Schwarzenegger, Pratt, Faris, and Faris' husband Michael Barrett — "co-parent all very well, which is a huge blessing," she said. Pratt, who was also a podcast guest, added that stepparenting reminds him of motion-capture acting, where actors wear specialized suits with sensors to animate digital characters, because stepparents "don't end up getting the credit" they deserve. "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. But it's a really, really important job," Pratt said. Schwarzenegger isn't the only Hollywood celebrity who has spoken up about being a stepparent or blending their families. In March, Kate Hudson — who has three kids with three dads — said there are upsides to having big, blended families. "It's like they have so much family. They've got multiple grandmas, multiple grandpas, multiple dads, and moms," Hudson said. On a "Goop" podcast episode in April, Gwyneth Paltrow said that it was tough navigating the stepparent dynamic as it often felt "full of minefields." "If I look back at my mistakes as a stepmother, I should have just treated them both like my kids way faster," Paltrow said. Paltrow has two kids with her ex-husband Chris Martin, whom she divorced in 2016. In 2018, she married Brad Falchuk, who has two kids from his previous marriage. Parenting experts previously told Business Insider about the common mistakes that stepparents make when trying to connect with their stepkids. One mistake is trying to replace the stepchildren's biological parents. "The stepparent isn't the biological parent, and it is OK to acknowledge that," Sarah Epstein, a licensed marriage and family therapist, told BI. "In fact, don't try to compete. Instead, speak directly to the child about their parent and encourage the relationship between the child and parent." Representatives for Schwarzenegger and Pratt did not immediately respond to requests for comment sent by BI outside regular hours. Read the original article on Business Insider Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘It can feel thankless—but it's a really important job': Chris Pratt on the emotional weight of stepparenting
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. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Katherine Schwarzenegger Says Having A Step-Parent Coach Has Been ‘Essential' For Her Family Life
Katherine Schwarzenegger is opening up about her journey to becoming a step-parent ― and how a step-parent coach has helped her along the way. The 35-year-old, who has three children with her husband, actor Chris Pratt, is also a step-parent to Pratt's son, Jack. Pratt shares 12-year-old Jack with his ex-wife, Anna Faris. Schwarzenegger said during a joint podcast appearance with Pratt that she would recommend a step-parenting coach or therapist to anyone with a blended family, as she retained one 'right when we got engaged' and found it 'essential.' 'It's been incredibly helpful for me and also just understanding my role as a step-parent,' the author said during an appearance on the 'Parenting & You with Dr. Shefali' podcast, released on Tuesday. 'Step-parenting ― like parenting ― has no, you know, handbook,' she said. 'Because also I have the benefit of being in both roles, step-parenting is extra confusing because you aren't a parent, you're not a nanny, you're not an assistant,' Schwarzenegger added. 'You have responsibilities in all of those areas, but you're not either of them. It's a confusing thing to try to navigate where you fit in.' While she shared that 'every dynamic is obviously very different' within each family, she said that she, Pratt, Faris and Faris' partner ― cinematographer Michael Barrett― all co-parent 'very well' together. 'It works when everybody is willing to put in the work,' Schwarzenegger said. Pratt added that being in the position of a step-parent is 'a tough job' and you don't always 'end up getting the credit you deserve.' 'If a parent is in there doing the hard work ― in the paint ― of creating structure for a child and holding children accountable, and it's not a biological child, it can feel thankless. But it's a really, really important job.' Gwyneth Paltrow ― who now has a blended family thanks to her second marriage to Brad Falchuck ― has also opened up about the harsh realities of being a step-parent. 'You know, there's no book on this ― nobody tells us what to do,' she said during a Q&A on her Instagram back in 2023. 'And, in fact, all of the existing media around what a stepmother is casts us is like, in this evil, villainous light.' But there was one key moment that changed everything for Paltrow. 'For myself, the minute I decided ― and fully embodied ― the idea that my stepkids were my kids and I love them just as much, and I gave them the same rules and boundaries and just kind of wholeheartedly went for it, then the easier the whole thing got,' the Oscar winner said. Related... Gwyneth Paltrow Reveals The Moment Everything Changed For Her As A Stepmom Chris Pratt Angers Fans With His Mother's Day Post — Again Anna Faris Pokes Fun At Her And Chris Pratt's Son, Jack — And It's A Tad Embarrassing Solve the daily Crossword
