Kelly Clarkson Makes Rare Comments About Co-Parenting with Ex Brandon Blackstock as She Admits There’s ‘a Lot’ She Keeps In

The daytime talk show host shares her two children, Remy and River, with her ex-husband

Kelly Clarkson is getting candid about her co-parenting experience.

The mom of two, 42, recently gave insight into her co-parenting dynamic with her ex-husband Brandon Blackstock on the latest episode of the Not Gonna Lie podcast hosted by Kylie Kelce.

During the episode, Clarkson discussed the mom guilt she often feels when she has to leave her kids for work or can’t attend one of their school shows in the middle of the workday. The “Stronger” singer also talked to the pregnant podcaster, 33, about the double standards that exist between working moms and dads.

“It’s funny though how different it is because even from a young age, like we didn’t teach them [that],” she told Kelce. “Just innately, you’re like, ‘He’s allowed to be somewhere, but you’re not.’ Like, that is real interesting.”

“There’s a lot that I keep in because…co-parenting is fun,” she teased. “It’s like, ‘Oh, he couldn’t come because this,’ and I’m like, ‘Okay, cool.’ Do you think I just leave and just sit in the park all day?”

The American Idol champion first became a mother in June 2014 with the birth of her daughter River Rose, confirming the exciting news four weeks after she wed Blackstock. Almost two years later in April 2016, the former couple added their son Remington “Remy” Alexander to the family.

In a cover story interview with Variety published in September 2022, the musician opened up about being vulnerable with her kids, especially when it comes to discussing her divorce from her ex-husband.

“I think the most important thing I’ve learned in therapy, especially through this divorce, is ‘Don’t hide everything from your kids.’ Obviously, don’t talk about stuff that you shouldn’t talk about, but it’s okay if they see you cry, or it’s okay if they see you’ve had a bad day,” she told the outlet.

“You start to feel that kind of shame, like, ‘I’ve got to put my best foot forward as a mom because I don’t want them to be affected,’ ” she continued. “But then you allow your kids to express empathy, and they learn how to say, ‘Oh, man, I’m sorry you had a hard day.'”

In June 2020, the “Since U Been Gone” singer teamed up with Carter’s to host a virtual ShowHER Love baby shower for new and expectant moms. At the event, she shared some of the biggest pearls of wisdom she has learned in being a mom. Clarkson said that there is “no greater gift” than motherhood, but it also has its challenging parts.

“You are going to be inspired to do all of these magical things with your kids. Do things you’ve never done before. Try things you’ve never done before,” she said. “It is such an awesome experience being a parent. I know it can be overwhelming, but it is so amazing. You aren’t just molding their little lives — it’s changing you in the process, too.”

Clarkson encouraged the group to “let yourself off the hook,” whether they are stay-at-home or working moms, as “You are still getting it done, you are still productive. It’s just working through time management as a new mom.”

“You’ve got to look at the humor in everything, and in yourself,” she continued. “There are moments when you will want to cry so hard — and that’s okay! — but just try to laugh and let it go.”