Why Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell Call Parenthood ‘Most Transformative Experience’
By Movieguide® Contributor
FROZEN actress Kristen Bell and her husband, Dax Shepard, recently discussed the joys and struggles of parenting at the SXSW conference.
“When I have failures in life, I get to come home and still be dad,” Shepard reflected. “It is the most transformative experience. You can feel it’s why you are here.”
Shepard and Bell have two daughters, Lincoln, 9, and Delta, 8, who bring plenty of “comedic surprises.”
“It’s like living in a Jim Carrey movie,” Bell laughed. “Yesterday, I had to say out loud, ‘Could you please stop using my toothbrush to wash your legs? I said that. I never thought I would utter that sentence, but here we are.”
Shepard shared how he enjoys seeing his daughters develop their own personalities.
“They’re creating novel ideas and thoughts. And so there’s two more interesting people in the house that are computing the world differently than us, and they can communicate it now,” The ARMCHAIR EXPERT podcaster said. “And it’s really fun just to have more perspectives around. They’re becoming more like bros for me.”
Despite all the joys of parenthood, Shepard understands the need for parents to have community, and “adult conversation” is “crucial.”
“Everyone’s got these little tiny challenges, some have bigger ones. And I think it’s just comforting to know that the struggle’s kind of universal,” Shepard reflected. “You might be looking at your friends and thinking they are fantastic parents and not extending yourself the same grace.”
“I’ve called friends or mom friends that I’ve had in moments of stress, just to come over and diffuse the energy in the house. It could be as simple as that,” Bell added.
Despite the struggles that come with parenting, “[N]othing compares to being a dad,” Shepard revealed. “It is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me.”
Movieguide® previously reported on the couple’s decision to not let their daughters have screen time:
While many families are trying to figure out how to regulate screen time, “We don’t have a phone problem ’cause they’re not in the mix,” Shepard explained. “And iPods aren’t, iPads aren’t in the mix and video games.”
He shares two daughters with Bell — Lincoln, 9, and Delta, 7.
He continued, “So there’s three things in my house that are not happening — those things. And they complain about it all the time: ‘So-and-so’s got it.’ And I go, ‘Yeah, but you gotta swimming pool and you got a dirt bike.’”
Shepard explained that he and Bell want their daughters to know that the “world is enormous” and don’t want it to “reduce it to a seven-inch screen.”
He said that his daughters find it “frustrating,” but he has a pretty good comeback.
“Look, you get to play with it at your friend’s house,” the actor explained. “I’m not saying you can’t play video games when you go out and about in the world. You do whatever you want to do, but doesn’t happen here.”
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
