By India McCarty
Director Ron Howard and his wife Cheryl might have been strict parents, but when it comes to their grandkids, “rules do not apply.”
“My wife Cheryl, who was always kind of a tough mom, kind of a disciplinarian, has gone into full grandma mode,” the former ANDY GRIFFITH actor told PEOPLE. “’Come on over here! I don’t care what your diet is supposed to be! I don’t care what time you’re supposed to go to bed!’ Rules do not apply.”
The father of four said their kids are “a little surprised” by their mom’s relaxed view on the rules, joking that they’ve asked him, “Where was that when I was 8 years old?”
Related: Ron Howard of HAPPY DAYS Welcomes Beautiful Grandchild into The World
The Howards have six grandchildren, and daughter and actress Bryce Dallas Howard says the director is “the sweetest granddad.”
“I love that both of my children have a unique and special relationship with him,” she told PEOPLE, sharing that her son Theo inherited Howard’s “complexly imaginative and artistic mind,” while daughter Beatrice is “gregarious and a natural leader,” just like her grandpa.
Dallas Howard continued, “I have my own precious memories of myself as a child with him, and to see my children playing with him and doing things with my dad that I did as a kid makes me so happy!”
Howard has often spoken about how important being a present father to his kids was, even with the demands of his Hollywood career.
“The challenge of parenting is conveying to your kids your love,” he told Parade in a 2015 interview. “Live through example, not words. Forget about the past and don’t worry too much about the future.”
He added, “Children are their own person from the time they’re born. You’re going to have a modicum of influence. But mostly children are who they are from the time they’re born.”
And, even though Howard has taken home many trophies over the years — including two Oscars, five Emmys and a Grammy — the director said his happiest moments are still when his kids get a win.
“[I’m happiest] when something in my kids’ life clicks and comes together in a way that I haven’t had anything to do with,” he told Parade. “If there’s a highlight moment for them, that is probably the most satisfying sensation that I can feel.”
When it comes to letting the grandkids run things, it looks like the Howards are just like many other indulgent grandparents!
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