Why Hilary Duff Says She Had “Zero Education” as a Child Star

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Hilary Duff knows she’s mature in ways that didn’t come from schooling. 

Hilary Duff, who starred in Lizzie McGuire, has said she didn’t really get much of an education growing up as a child actor, but she doesn’t seem to mind too much.

Hilary recently discussed her diverse knowledge on the Table Manners Podcast on March 2nd. She mentioned her mother jokingly asked her to get her GED, implying she’s self-taught and doesn’t have a traditional education.

She did earn her certification, which is comparable to a high school diploma, but the 38-year-old also explained that she’s proud of the self-directed learning she did in areas that interested her.

As to the idea of returning to school now? It’s not something Hilary is thinking about. 

She explained that she’s moved on from worrying about her less-than-ideal education, feeling she’s developed strengths elsewhere that have actually been beneficial. She also feels comfortable asking questions when she needs help.

The singer, known for the song ‘Mature,’ shared that her life experiences were unique, and she’s not ashamed to admit she doesn’t remember historical details like when specific wars happened. She jokes that information is easily accessible through tools like Google and ChatGPT.

Hilary has discovered an unexpected benefit to not having a traditional education: it’s helped her connect with her 13-year-old son, Luca, whom she shares with her ex-husband, Mike Comrie. She says Luca often teaches her things she didn’t know, thanks to the excellent education he’s receiving.

When it comes to her kids – Luca, and her children with husband Matthew Koma, Banks (7), May (4), and Townes (22 months) – Hilary Duff says education is a high priority. She wants to make sure they all receive a good education, considering it ‘way more important’ than other things.

Hillary and Matthew are working hard to maintain their children’s regular schedules, even with Hillary on tour promoting her new album, Luck… or Something.

She explained she’s really worried about her life overshadowing her children’s lives. She’s especially anxious about going on tour and becoming more public because she feels her kids are the real stars of the family.

In 2024, the former child star told TopMob News that it was very important to her that her children felt special, particularly since they didn’t seem interested in her career.

She said people really like her personally, but they’re hesitant to support projects she’s already worked on before. She thinks that might change eventually.

For more of Hilary’s candid thoughts on motherhood, keep reading.

The actress revealed she’s expecting her third child, and her second with husband Matthew. She playfully announced the news on October 24th, joking, “We are growing!!! Mostly me.”

She shared on Instagram that her son is getting braces and starting third grade, expressing how quickly time is flying and wishing it would slow down.

It feels like I’m constantly pulled in a million directions – working from home, taking care of a baby, and trying to help with online schooling. Honestly, some days I feel completely overwhelmed and lost! But you know what? That’s perfectly fine. We should all be okay with not always having everything under control.

Just being real, today was my first time managing the morning school routine with both kids completely on my own. It was chaotic – juggling breastfeeding, making breakfast, getting everyone dressed and out the door, all while dodging four dogs and remembering the fish! But I managed it, and I’m really proud of myself. I’m proud of all moms who get it done, day in and day out – you’re amazing! Seriously, you’re total rockstars and deserve all the praise. P.S. Laying out clothes the night before for myself and Luca was a lifesaver! I even had five minutes to put on makeup… until I turned around and saw Luca had used my lipstick as face paint!

A frustrated mom, Duff, reached out to other parents online in January, asking for help with her colicky baby. She explained that nothing seemed to soothe the baby except near-constant nursing, and she’d already tried all the common solutions. She jokingly asked for any ‘magic tricks’ people might suggest, adding a lighthearted ‘Happy New Year’ and a humorous hashtag about needing filters and jokingly offering the baby up for adoption.

It’s been a challenging but rewarding two months with my baby girl! There have been a lot of sleepless nights and she definitely lets me know when she’s unhappy, but she’s absolutely worth it, my little fighter,” the Texas native shared in December.

Becoming a parent completely transforms your life, shifting the focus away from yourself,” said actress Sutton Foster in a recent interview with MyDomaine. She shared that raising children has given her incredible patience and a lot of happiness. If she could go back in time, she wishes she’d realized how much sleep she’d lose, jokingly saying she would have prepared like a bear getting ready to hibernate.

Duff recently shared on social media that she doesn’t often get dressed up anymore. She took a selfie as a reminder of who she used to be, but also realized this current stage of life – with a new baby, messes, and staying home – won’t last forever, and she wants to cherish it because it goes by so quickly.

In an April interview with TopMob News, Duff explained that she doesn’t always manage to juggle everything perfectly, but she always tries her best. She admitted some months are more hectic than others. Her son always comes first, and she bases all her decisions on whether she can still give him the attention and care he needs.

Having children completely changed my perspective on life. It’s an incredible experience that teaches you so much, like patience and the importance of living in the moment. Pregnancy itself is a preparation for motherhood, though you can never fully anticipate what’s coming. It’s amazing to realize how much your life can grow in ways you never imagined, and it really makes you appreciate every day, as told to Parade.

Talking about being a parent, Duff said it’s natural to worry. Everyone hopes their kids will have perfect lives, but that’s just not realistic. Still, he finds it incredibly enjoyable and feels very fortunate.

In July 2018, while expecting her daughter Banks, the actress shared a candid post on Instagram about the realities of pregnancy. Along with a photo of her baby bump, she wrote about the physical challenges, saying pregnancy was tough and involved a changing body – bigger breasts, a bigger belly, and overall body changes. She sent love to all mothers who made it seem easy, acknowledging the journey was both incredibly difficult and special. She described the joys of feeling life grow inside her and dreaming about the future, but also the struggles like not being able to reach her shoes, frequent nighttime bathroom trips, and feeling disconnected from her body. She ended with a message of empowerment, reminding herself and other women how strong and beautiful they are, and encouraging them to keep going.

Becoming a mother has been the best thing in my life, and I’m thankful for it every day,” Hilary Duff shared in a 2017 Mother’s Day post. “Being a mom is a never-ending job, but it’s incredibly fulfilling! ❤️❤️

As a longtime follower, I was really struck by what Hilary Duff shared about blending families. She explained that it needs to happen gradually, and honestly, I completely relate! It’s tough introducing new dynamics, but you have to trust your gut. What really resonated with me was her emphasis on self-care – she pointed out that just because you’re a parent doesn’t mean your needs don’t matter. That was a huge realization for her, and I think for a lot of us. She feels so grateful for Luca’s dad and their relationship, and she intentionally didn’t rush into anything – no quick moves with new partners or adding to the family. She really took the time to do things right, for both herself and Luca, and she stressed how important it is to be mindful of what you say. It’s all about taking it slow and being considerate, and I think that’s beautiful.

Oh my gosh, you guys, I have to share! Peter Hermann, the sweetest man who plays Charles on Younger, gave me this incredible poem when I was seriously missing my Luca. You know how it is, filming takes me away for days, sometimes weeks, and I was just desperate to be with my little boy. I read it back in July 2017 and instantly burst into tears – the last four lines still get me every time! Being a mom is honestly the most amazing thing that’s ever happened to me. Every single day is a brand new adventure, or a challenge, but it’s all worth it. My heart has grown so much, it’s impossible to explain. I really think any mom or parent will feel the same way about this poem as I do. It’s just… beautiful. ❤️ I hope you enjoy it too!

Hilary Duff recently discussed parenting with her partner, Matthew Koma, and emphasized that it’s definitely not a 50/50 split. She told Parents.com that mothers always carry a greater responsibility, and that’s just a reality most moms understand. While she appreciates Matthew’s help and knows he’ll be a great dad, she explained that in the early stages, moms take on the bulk of childcare, so partners need to support in other ways – like helping around the house.

I often struggle with feeling guilty or conflicted. When I wasn’t working, I initially worried about being unproductive, but I realized that was silly. As a mother, it’s perfectly okay to not be constantly busy. It’s actually been really liberating to not have to answer to anyone else’s demands, except for my son, Luca. These days, I feel like his full-time driver!”

People sometimes say to me, ‘Oh, it must be great getting a break with shared custody!’ And honestly? It was rough at first, after the divorce from Mike Comrie. It still is just… normal now, I guess. But they’re not wrong, I do get breaks! There was this one time I had Luca all to myself for weeks, no help at all while Mike was traveling. When he finally got back, I swear I practically threw Luca at him and shouted, ‘He’s all yours!’ It was amazing.

Duff responded to criticism after sharing a photo of her kissing her son, Luca, at Disneyland in 2016. On Instagram, she told those who found the kiss “inappropriate” to unfollow her, calling their views “warped” and judgmental.

Hilary Duff shared in 2015 with Entertainment Tonight that people start judging you even before your baby arrives. She described becoming a mother as a beautiful and magical experience, but also surprisingly lonely.

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2026-03-05 01:48