Kelly Clarkson Makes Candid Confession About Parenting Daughter River

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Sometimes parenthood leaves Kelly Clarkson catching her breath.

Every parent eventually realizes they’re learning as they go, and singer Kelly Clarkson is now trying to share that idea with her 11-year-old daughter, River Rose Blackstock.

Kelly Clarkson admitted she often thinks about her daughter and the potential challenges she might face. While chatting with Mariska Hargitay on her show, she said she’s doing her best to raise her daughter well, hoping to minimize any future need for therapy, though she jokingly acknowledges therapy is almost inevitable. She just wants to do everything she can to help her daughter grow up happy and healthy.

The former *American Idol* contestant, who is also a mother to 9-year-old Remington Alexander Blackstock with her late ex-husband Brandon Blackstock, also shared her thoughts on how our views of our parents change as we get older.

As you get older, you start to see things differently, even when looking back at choices that weren’t ideal. Becoming a parent especially helps you understand those past decisions with more empathy than you might have had when you were younger.

Mariska understands this feeling very well. The *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* star explained that she’s personally experienced it with her and husband Peter Hermann’s 14-year-old daughter, Amaya.

My daughter used to be very involved in both gymnastics and ballet, and she was really talented at both. But then she told me she didn’t want to continue with either one. It was tough, because I wondered if I should make her keep going. Ultimately, I decided to respect her wishes and let her quit.

Kelly shared that she makes a point of checking in with her children’s emotional wellbeing each night. While cuddling, she asks them directly if they’re happy and, if not, what would improve their mood. She mentioned that recently, especially over the past two years, their answers have been heartbreaking. Although it’s difficult to hear, she encourages honesty and often learns they’re sad about her and their father living in separate homes.

She added that they are very upfront about things. She explained she’s trying to raise her child to be a truthful person, and she wants them to always be honest with her.

For more of Kelly’s parenting moments, read on. 

However, the tide turned as Amaya got older. 

Oh my gosh, she’s fourteen, and it just *kills* me how Mariska remembers this! Apparently, Amaya turned to her and asked, ‘Why did you let me quit ballet?’ Can you imagine?! And Mariska, being the amazing mom she is, responded with, ‘Amaya, do you even *get* how hard it is to be a parent right now? Do you understand what it takes?’ It’s just…so relatable, you know? Especially since Mariska and Peter also have August, who’s eighteen, and Andrew, who’s thirteen. It just shows how quickly they grow up!

Kelly has often discussed being open and honest with her children, particularly while she and her ex-husband Brandon – who sadly lost his battle with cancer in August after a long fight – worked together to raise them after their split in 2020.

As a mom, one thing I make a real priority is checking in with my kids’ emotional wellbeing. Every night when we’re cuddling, I actually ask them directly, ‘Are you truly happy? And if not, what could brighten your day?’ It can be tough to hear, but I always want honesty. Lately, especially over the past couple of years, they’ve sometimes told me they’re sad and miss when our family all lived together. It breaks my heart, of course, but I never discourage them from sharing how they feel – it’s so important for them to know I’m a safe space.

She added that they are very upfront about things. She explained she’s trying to raise her child to be truthful and wants them to always be honest with her.

For more of Kelly’s parenting moments, read on. 

Kelly Clarkson’s children, River and Remy, whose father is her former husband Brandon Blackstock, charmed viewers during an appearance on her talk show in December 2024.

For the 2024 Grammys, the “Because Of You” brought her son Remy as her plus-one.

Kelly posted a photo of her children behind the scenes at her Las Vegas show in August 2023, right before they unexpectedly joined her on stage.

The “Since U Been Gone” singer was joined by her daughter Remy at the 2022 People’s Choice Awards.

In September 2022, River and Remy were thrilled to celebrate their mother earning a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In 2019, Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock went to the premiere of Kelly’s movie, *UglyDolls*, with their children, Remy and River, and Brandon’s children, Seth and Savannah, from a previous relationship. Kelly filed for divorce from Brandon, her manager, in 2020, and the divorce was finalized in 2022.

River and Remy sat alongside celebrity guest Jason Momoa on their mom’s talk show in 2019.

Kelly enjoyed some fun in the sun with Remy and River Rose in 2018.

Kelly’s kids made the cutest cameo when they joined Hoda Kotb on a 2017 episode of Today.

Who doesn’t love a day at Disneyland with mom?

River and Remy were ready to help put out fires and solve crime in their costumes.

The kids buckled up for a family drive.

River clearly inherited her mother’s talent for performing, and Kelly was incredibly proud to see it.

Oh my gosh, you guys, I am seriously losing it! Kelly just posted the cutest picture of Remy and captioned it ‘NYC y’all ain’t ready for Remy B…’ and I swear, I’m SO excited! It’s like, the world isn’t prepared for how amazing this little guy is going to be! I’m absolutely obsessed!

Kelly was all smiles as she took this selfie with her daughter.

While filming her music video in 2017, the singer, who is from Texas, included her daughter for a fun behind-the-scenes experience.

In May 2017, the fam took in a Nashville Predators hockey game and even rocked matching jerseys. 

Ugh, could this be any cuter of an Easter moment?

Remy’s first birthday in 2017 was a total blast and included a massive cake!

Oh my gosh, you guys, I was SO excited to see Kelly and River in the Nashville Christmas Parade back in 2016! They totally braved the freezing Tennessee weather just to be there, and honestly? They looked absolutely adorable! I seriously couldn’t get over how cute they were!

 

While visiting Washington D.C., Kelly’s children enjoyed a piggyback ride from their brother, Seth.

To announce the release of her new children’s book, a mother shared a sweet photo of herself with her daughter.

The singer wished her mom a happy Mother’s Day with a heartwarming post featuring a cute picture of her mom, herself, and her grandmother – three generations together.

Live from New York…it’s Kelly’s little one hanging out with SNL alum Jimmy Fallon.

In October 2014, the Grammy winner shared her first photo of daughter River Rose.

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2025-10-16 18:48