Macaulay Culkin Credits Estranged Dad For His Approach To Parenting

Macaulay Culkin has some gems to hold on to despite his current arrangement with his dad.

The actor shared that his challenging relationship with his father, Christopher 'Kit' Culkin, served as an important lesson in his parenting style. 

Macaulay Culkin, known for his rise to fame as a child star, has openly discussed the hurdles he faced during his early years growing up with his father, who was also a former stage actor.

In his recent interview on the Sibling Revelry podcast by Kate and Oliver Hudson on Monday, Macaulay opened up about the impact of his strained relationship with his father on his parenting.

Reflecting on his childhood, he recalled a clear determination to avoid replicating his father's behavior with his own children. 

Now a father to two sons, Dakota and Carson, with fiancée Brenda Song, Macaulay acknowledged that his past experiences have influenced his approach to parenting.

“Now that I have kids of my own, it's like, you know, it kicks up some dust,” he said. “I kinda go, you know, like, I can't believe he was like that. He had all these lovely kids. It's crazy,” the actor declared.

He expressed disbelief over his father's past actions, noting the irony of having had seven children while maintaining a contentious relationship with them.

Per PEOPLE, the musician disclosed that he has not spoken to his father in nearly three decades, stating that his father "deserves" the distance due to the impact of his parenting on his family.

Macaulay has expressed strong feelings about his father, Christopher, whom he labels as "narcissistic" and "abusive." 

He recalls the tumultuous custody battle between Christopher and his mother, Patricia Brentrup, revealing that he wanted nothing to do with his father. 

The actor disclosed that during the court proceedings, when a judge mandated that Macaulay visit his father, he resolved to resist.

He told his lawyer he would not comply, even challenging the judge by stating he dared him to punish him for refusing to see his father, emphasizing his status as “the most famous kid in the world” at the time.

Macaulay has come a long way from his challenging childhood, now embracing his role as a father and feeling more fulfilled than ever. He expressed on the podcast that he is currently in a fantastic place in his life, stating, “I feel really good. I'm probably in the best place of my entire life.”

When asked about the possibility of having more children with his partner, Brenda Song, he mentioned that while they are not rushing into anything, they are focusing on their current stability.

“Oh, we'll see about that. Well, you know, we always take the can down the road, you know, and so we should talk about it next year, that kind of thing, you know,” he shared.

With both of their children in preschool and a solid routine established, he noted that Brenda is starting to feel like herself again, contributing to their overall happiness as a family.

In 2022, The Blast reported that Brenda shared insights about her family dynamics with Macaulay in an interview. Since welcoming their child in April 2021, the couple noted that they have embraced parenthood without the help of a nanny.

The former Disney star expressed satisfaction with their choice to navigate parenting independently. "My fiancé and I are very hands-on. We don't have a nanny, but my mom has been here with us since my son was born. He's 9 months old now,” the actress noted at the time.

She added that in the early months of parenting, maintaining politeness can be challenging for couples and stressed how crucial it is for partners to communicate openly about their needs for help.

Instead of adhering to fixed responsibilities, Brenda shared that they rely on a sense of intuition to support each other. In her words, "I'll be putting my son down, and my partner is like, 'Let me feed the animals and get dinner ready."

The couple's first child, Dakota Song Culkin, was named in honor of the actor’s late sister.

Last December, The Blast shared that Macaulay and Brenda fully embraced the holiday spirit for their family, making Christmas a magical time for their sons, Dakota and his younger brother. 

The couple reportedly cultivated the habit of putting great effort into decorating their home and establishing joyful traditions, ensuring the season is filled with love and laughter.

Macaulay also shared that they go all out for Christmas, particularly as their children are at an age where they still believe in Santa. He reportedly takes on cooking the holiday ham and plays an active role in decorating.

During a two-week absence, while promoting his holiday classic, he recalled comforting his sons by telling them he was at Santa's workshop, helping to fix toys, and reassuring them that their dad was fulfilling a special role at the North Pole.

Bravo to Macaulay Culkin for changing the narrative!