KOURTNEY Kardashian is used to parenting in the public eye — with all its applause and backlash.
Now an expert has weighed in on the reality TV star’s best choices as a mom, plus the ones that may set her kids up for some trouble.
Parenting expert Kirsty Ketley shared her verdict on Kourtney Kardashian’s parenting styleCredit: Getty
Kourtney Kardashian is mom to Penelope, Mason, Reign (left to right), and RockyCredit: Instagram
Kourtney fully embraced being a mom when she became the first of the Kardashian-Jenner sisters to have a 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 back in 2009.
The 45-year-old welcomed Mason, 14, Penelope, 12, and Reign, 9, with her ex-partner Scott Disick.
Most recently, she welcomed a son named Rocky Thirteen with her husband, Travis Barker, in November 2023.
She described her midlife pregnancy as being part of “God’s plan.”
“I kept telling Travis if we’re meant to have a 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦, then it’s just going to happen,” she told Vanity Fair Italia.
“And so it was when we stopped forcing the process, then it happened.”
She described parenting as “the most important job in the world” in an Instagram Story post after Rocky’s 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡.
Meanwhile, Travis was father to a son Landon, 20, and a daughter Alabama, 18, with his ex-wife Shanna Moakler, and a stepdaughter Atiana De La Hoya, 25.
Kourtney said she’s committed to spending quality time with each of the kids in her blended family.
“I have kids all different age ranges – preteen, teenage, adults, an infant,” she said, according to People.
“So I really try to set aside one-on-one time with each of my kids.
“I don’t want to miss anything. It’s like a feeling of being pulled in different directions, like wanting to be everything to everyone.”
Despite expressing her love of motherhood, Kourtney has been slammed, on occasion, for her parenting style.
Topics of backlash have included her overly 𝓈ℯ𝓍ual acts of PDA with Travis, the foods she chooses to feed her kids, and how often those kids are posted online.
“Some of Kourtney’s choices on how she chooses to parent may seem a little ‘kooky,’ but there are some that are not,” says parenting expert Kirsty Ketley.
Kirsty shared her take with The U.S. Sun…
CLINGING TO THE KIDDOS
In attachment parenting, moms and dads aim to maintain a strong level of emotional and physical closeness.
Think being responsive to your 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦’s every cry, 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦wearing, feeding on demand, and co-bathing and sleeping.
Kourtney had three 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren with her ex-partner Scott before her relationship with Travis BarkerCredit: Instagram/Kourtney Kardashian
Ketley warned that Kourtney’s co-sleeping with her kids may create issuesCredit: Instagram/ Kourtney Kardashian
For many parents, this style of parenting feels intuitive, and as Kourtney has previously stated, can leave parents and 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦, “super-connected.”
Attachment parenting aims to create secure emotional bonds between mom and 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦, with the idea being that the 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 will later flourish in relationships.
But this style has come under some criticism, and in particular, Kourtney has come under fire for her love of co-sleeping with her 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren.
She appears to take her dedication to healthy eating a step too far by cutting out gluten, dairy, and sugar from her 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren’s diets.
Kirsty Ketleyparenting expert
According to the American Academy Of Pediatrics, co-sleeping is not recommended.
Previously, infant sleep expert and Mommywise founder Natalie Nevares told The U.S. Sun that she felt Kourtney co-slept “for her own personal reasons, and a self-need for her bonding or being afraid of losing it.”
Like Natalie, others widely feel that attachment parenting is often not about what is best for the 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 and can lead to 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren becoming overdependent on their parents.
She said attachment-style parenting could lead to resentmentCredit: Getty
Critics say it can leave parents feeling resentful and stressed, trying to meet their 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥’s every demand.
It does mean, though, that compared to her siblings, Kourtney is a bit more laid back in her parenting.
She doesn’t sweat the small stuff and recently opted for a more understated 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡day celebration than in previous years for Penelope, who turned 12.
There is no denying that 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren having a good emotional bond with their parents, and indeed having parents who are a little more on the relaxed side, is a good thing.
But it would be wise to approach this style loosely, taking some elements and not worrying about the others — and not forgetting that rules, routines, and boundaries all help 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren feel safe, secure, and happy.
Kourtney has a strict rule of no junk food, which means her kids can’t eat gluten, dairy, and sugarCredit: HuluYOU CAN’T EAT THAT
Kourtney is very much about wellness and health, and instilling a healthy attitude in kids towards food and eating is important.
But she appears to take her dedication to healthy eating a step too far by cutting out gluten, dairy, and sugar from her 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren’s diets and a strict rule of no junk food.
Banning certain foods can end up backfiring on parents as kids’ curiosity can take over and they “sneak” those foods into their daily lives.
As they become older and head out into the world away from their parents, they may end up over-indulging.
This can then lead to a lifetime of shame and guilt, meaning disordered eating may happen.
Instead of the healthy relationship with food that parents are striving to create, they can have a warped relationship instead.
Ketley warned Kourtney could be giving her kids a ‘warped relationship’ with foodCredit: Instagram/kourtneykardash
It is best to take a less obsessive approach when it comes to food.
If parents are imposing a strict way of eating and eliminating food groups from their own diet, it doesn’t mean that their 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren need to eat the same way.
Children need certain amounts of all food groups to help them thrive and kids need to learn that all food is food — not classed as “good” or “bad.”
It is best they learn the nutritional value of foods and how they help the body to function and grow so that they can make healthier choices and leave junk food as an option on occasion.
Ketley said Kourtney and Travis’ overtly 𝓈ℯ𝓍ual PDAs in front of the 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren could cross a boundaryCredit: GettyCRINGE-WORTHY PDA
Kourtney and Travis have loved sharing their affection for one another with the world.
Of course, seeing mom in a happy, loving relationship is a good thing for her 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren.
Kourtney and Travis’ overtly 𝓈ℯ𝓍ual PDAs will be a cause of embarrassment for her kids and leave them feeling super uncomfortable.
Kirsty Ketleyparenting expert
However, Kourtney and Travis’ overtly 𝓈ℯ𝓍ual PDA will be a cause of embarrassment for her kids and leave them feeling super uncomfortable.
Seeing affection is one thing — cuddles, pecks on the cheek, and holding hands are all ways to demonstrate a healthy relationship.
But when it becomes full-on making out in front of the kids, it can scare 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren and can cross a boundary into being overtly 𝓈ℯ𝓍ual.
Travis and Kourtney have been seen doing more than just giving each other a peck on the cheekCredit: GettyPRIVACY, PLEASE
Since her son, Rocky, was 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧, Kourtney has chosen to keep the tot out of the public eye.
It’s an unusual decision considering her other three kids have been heavily featured on her social media over the years and episodes of the Kardashians’ TV reality series.
But it is perhaps one that Kourtney has made after her eldest son, Mason, made the decision to step away from the limelight back in 2021.
Kourtney’s son Mason decided to step away from the limelight back in 2021Credit: Hulu
This led Kourtney and Mason’s dad, Scott, to limit the images they shared of Mason on social media, and he did not appear on Hulu’s The Kardashians series either, nor in any photos or videos shared online of Kourtney and Travis’ wedding.
A wise decision from someone so young and a great example of how 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren living their life constantly in the spotlight can take its toll.
It is great that Kourtney respected Mason’s wishes and shows that her kids are more important than the number of likes she gets.
Kourtney is right to ban tech from the table, as it detracts from 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren learning the art of conversation.
Kirsty Ketleyparenting expert
Before sharing kids’ pictures online, it is always respectful to seek their permission first, while also considering the dangers surrounding sharing and oversharing information — from the dark side of the web to embarrassing a 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥.
TECH BAN
On the season 2 finale of The Kardashians, Kourtney noticed that all the kids in her and Travis’ blended family were glued to their phones while waiting for dinner to be served.
In response, she imposed a “no tech at the table” ban, which led to the family chatting and sharing their “peak and pit” moments of the day.
Ketley said Kourtney was right to ban tech from the table as it hinders the development of social s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁sCredit: Hulu
Kourtney is right to ban tech from the table, as it detracts from 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren learning the art of conversation — an important social s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 to learn.
It often means that they are not concentrating on their food and they miss opportunities to open up about things that are bothering them.
It also stops families from bonding together.
Changing screen habits can be hard, but parents should lead the way and keep their phones well away from the table, too.
PICK YOUR OWN OUTFIT
Back in 2020, Kourtney shared a picture of her daughter, Penelope, on Valentine’s Day dressed head to toe in red.
After a follower asked if Penelope picks her outfits, Kourtney responded by saying that she “loves for Penelope to choose and be herself.”
Ketley said Kourtney is right to let her 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren express themselves by picking their own clothesCredit: Instagram/kourtneykardash
Kourtney said she ‘loves for Penelope to choose and be herself’Credit: Instagram/Kourtney Kardashian
That’s a stark difference to sister, Kim, who has said she decides what her kids wear out of the house.
As long as kids are wearing clothing that are appropriate — swimwear perhaps isn’t quite right for a cold winter’s day — then giving kids the freedom to choose their outfits is a good thing.
It allows them to express themselves and to help work out their identity.
It also means that they have some control, and all of these things contribute to high self-esteem.
THE VERDICT
Overall, Kourtney appears to be like any other mom.
She is just trying her best to protect her kids while showering them with love and respect.
That is no bad thing, of course, but alongside this, it is important that they have some boundaries and structure in life to ensure that they grow as well-rounded individuals.
Kourtney and Travis blended their families when they tied the knot in November 2023Credit: Splash
Ketley said Kourtney is trying to protect her kids while expressing love like any other momCredit: instagram/@kourtneykardash
