Kelly Clarkson Lets Her Kids Own Their Junior High Mistakes

Kelly Clarkson is letting her children make their own errors, even when those mistakes come during the turbulent junior high years. The "Breakaway" singer detailed her parenting philosophy in a recent interview with E! News, emphasizing that she does not step in to fix every problem for her two children.

Clarkson has a daughter, River, who is 12 years old, and a son, Remington, who is 10. She described her approach as progressive, noting that she allows them to experience the natural consequences of their actions. "I'm a pretty progressive parent, so I'm like, 'No, no. You're gonna make your own mistakes, and that's OK,'" she said. She added that she avoids using the phrase "I told you so," though she still offers guidance.

River is currently in junior high, a period Clarkson described as difficult. The social dynamics of that age group involve frequent arguments and complex friendships. "Junior high sucks. It's a hard age with friends, and arguing and stuff like that," Clarkson said. She noted that her daughter occasionally ignores her advice in the moment but later returns to admit the singer was correct.

Clarkson said her children have acknowledged their missteps after the fact. "I've had them be like, 'OK, so I didn't do that, and I should have,'" she said. This dynamic allows the kids to learn from experience without feeling overly managed by their parent.

The singer is focusing on her family after concluding her role as a host. She wrapped the seventh and final season of The Kelly Clarkson Show, which gave her more time at home. Clarkson mentioned this schedule change during a September 30 appearance on the Las Culturistas podcast. She explained that her current availability influences her decision to avoid dating for now.

The interview highlights a shift in Clarkson's public narrative toward her personal life. By sharing specific examples of how River and Remington handle conflict, she offers a glimpse into the daily routine of raising teenagers. The conversation serves as a direct account of how she balances professional obligations with the demands of early adolescence.