Kelly Clarkson Voices Concerns Over Children’s School Performances

Kelly Clarkson Voices Concerns Over Children’s School Performances

As a dedicated parent, Kelly Clarkson strives to attend her children’s performances whenever possible. However, like many working mothers, she often finds it challenging to manage her schedule, particularly when events occur on weekdays without prior notification.

This week, on her podcast ‘Not Going to Lie,’ Clarkson expressed her frustrations about the timing of school performances. She pointed out that scheduling events at 10 a.m. during weekdays poses significant difficulties for parents.

“I’m not going to lie. I don’t know when the school systems thought it would be a good plan for families and their emotional stability to start having performances at 10 a.m. during the week,” the singer stated during an interview with podcast co-host Kylie Kelce.

Clarkson highlighted an essential point—most parents work, and without advanced notice, they struggle to rearrange their professional commitments. She commented on the rarity of being able to take a morning off to support children at school:

“This just in: A lot of us work, and surprising you with it — like not giving you an advance, like, so you can at least tell your work, like ‘Hey I’m going to need this morning off to come in.’ And, like, a lot of jobs wouldn’t let you do that anyway.”

She continued by discussing the impact this has on children: “But even if you’re, like, the boss and you would have that control, our kids don’t understand. And we just look like a——s when we’re not there. And then they go, ‘Why was this mom there?’ And then you have to say, ‘Because that kid got a better mom,’ I don’t know.”

Family Life Amidst a Busy Career

Clarkson, age 42, shares custody of two children—River, age 10, and Remy, age 8—with her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock. Recently, she attended a performance where Remy sang Frank Sinatra’s classic ‘My Way,’ a moment that captured the hearts of many viewers.

Remy, a budding performer, impressed the audience and went viral after appearing on Clarkson’s television show. The proud mother rushed to her son after his performance and enveloped him in a warm hug.

Later, during their conversation on the show, she asked Remy about the viral success of his performance. His adorable response brought a smile to Clarkson’s face as he inquired, “Yeah. How much views did I get again?”

Clarkson, amused by her son’s playful curiosity, informed him he had surpassed one million views. Remy then cheekily asked, “Do you get that many views?” to which she jested, “I was like, ‘Calm down … and not that often.'”

Strict Parenting Choices in a Digital Era

Throughout her career, Clarkson has been open about her parenting philosophies. Last year, she spoke with People magazine, discussing her no-social media policy for her kids until they turn 18. This decision underscores her desire to protect them from the pressures of growing up in the public eye.

Clarkson explained, “That can be really hard on kids in general, but especially kids with parents in the public eye. So, I have informed them they’re not allowed to, under my roof, ever have [it].” Her strict guidelines reflect a commitment to their well-being in an increasingly online world.

Co-Parenting Challenges and Progress

In addition to managing her career and public life, Clarkson has navigated the complexities of co-parenting with Blackstock. She mentioned that their co-parenting situation is improving, acknowledging the challenges that arise from coming from different backgrounds and parenting styles.

“It’s hard enough when you’re married and come from two different backgrounds and ways to discipline and educate. Doing that in different households can be tough,” she noted, emphasizing the importance of cooperation in raising their children.

A Milestone Celebration

Recently, Clarkson celebrated a significant milestone in her career. She marked her 1,000th episode of her talk show, a moment that brought both joy and reflection. After a brief unexplained absence, she returned to the set with heartfelt sentiments for her audience.

During the celebration, she remarked, “For 1,000 episodes, we have laughed together, we have cried together with beautiful stories, sang together with some people, danced together, celebrated and competed together.”

She also shared a poignant thought: “I’ve lost, alone, a lot,” without providing specific details. The statement caught attention, revealing her more vulnerable side.

Clarkson concluded her speech with gratitude, stating, “And along the way, we found comfort in one another. I am grateful to everyone who has been a part of this journey. It has been such a cool time.”

This milestone is not only a testament to Clarkson’s resilience but also her commitment to connecting with her fans and family amidst the demands of her career.

Fox News’ Stephanie Giang-Paunon contributed to this report.