"Pre-Chewing Food”: 25 Celeb Parenting Methods That Raised Eyebrows

Everyone has different parenting techniques and we try to respect the various methods people use. In Hollywood however, everything comes under extra scrutiny, including celeb’s parenting styles. The rich and famous often live by a different playbook and their lifestyles are often quite different from the masses. This also applies to their parenting methods, which may come across as rather bizarre to outsiders. From “Naked Sundays” to only playing cartoons in a foreign language, we’ve created a list of the most unusual practices tinseltown’s famous parents implement that stunned fans when they heard about the it. 

#1 Farrah Abraham

Image source: mikelstyled, Mute Maven Farrah Abraham, known from Teen Mom, has drawn public attention for several of her parenting decisions. These include waxing her then-three-year-old daughter's eyebrows, reportedly calling her "stupid" when ill, and allowing her daughter to use a pacifier at age five, which is beyond the generally recommended age.

#2 Gwyneth Paltrow

Image source: gwynethpaltrow, Nicole Pomarico A distinctive approach to screen time was taken by Gwyneth Paltrow, who required her children to watch cartoons exclusively in Spanish or French. She acknowledged her daughter Apple's displeasure with this, stating, "Apple was cross, as I only let them watch TV in French or Spanish," and mentioned sourcing these foreign-language cartoons in France.

#3 Alicia Silverstone

Image source: ABC News, LILLIAN GISSEN Alicia Silverstone, known for her role in Clueless, once posted a video showing her pre-chewing food for her then-11-month-old son, Bear, and feeding it to him from her mouth. This act prompted warnings from medical practitioners about the potential for passing bacteria and viruses. Silverstone defended the practice, stating, "People have been feeding their kids that way for thousands for years," and adding she found it "adorable."

#4 Christina Aguilera

Image source: xtina, Mute Maven Christina Aguilera has established "naked Sundays" in her household, a custom where she is nude around her son Max and daughter Summer. The entertainer's intention is to normalize nudity for her children, ensuring they don't perceive it as shameful, a philosophy also supported by the presence of nude artwork in their home.

#5 Kelly Clarkson

Image source: kellyclarkson, LILLIAN GISSEN Singer Kelly Clarkson shared her approach to disciplining her children, River and Remy, which includes spanking when she deems it necessary. Citing her own upbringing where she was spanked and feels she "did fine in life," Clarkson views it as an acceptable, though not "fashionable," method. She explained she provides warnings and described the act as "a spanking," noting, "I'm from the South, y’all, so we get spankings."

#6 Alanis Morissette

Image source: alanis, AceShowbiz Alanis Morissette articulated her stance on extended breastfeeding, revealing on "Good Morning America" her plan to nurse her son, then 17 months, for as long as he wished, potentially until age five or six. She stated, "I'll stop whenever he wants," and elaborated, "I will stop when he says it's time to stop."

#7 Sarah Michelle Gellar And Freddie Prinze Jr

Image source: sarahmgellar, Kara Nesvig Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr. describe their parenting style for daughter Charlotte and son Rocky as "pretty strict," emphasizing chores, responsibilities, and a ban on social media. Gellar explained to PEOPLE Now, "I don't believe in paying kids for chores, I feel like that's part of living in a house," while Prinze Jr. characterized them as "strict as hell" with "100 rules," telling Us Weekly, "Friendships come and go. I tell my kids all the time that family is forever."

#8 Coco Austin

Image source: coco, LILLIAN GISSEN Coco Austin defended her actions in 2022 when a TikTok video showed her bathing her then-six-year-old daughter Chanel in the kitchen sink, leading to sharp criticism. Explaining, "The sink is easiest when you have to be fast," Austin later responded on X, writing, "People, you gotta know by now that I'm an unconventional mother. I do what works and is easier on me."

#9 Mila Kunis And Ashton Kutcher

Image source: aplusk, LILLIAN GISSEN Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher prompted discussion in July 2021 when they shared details on Dax Shepard's podcast about their children's bathing habits. They limit baths to instances of visible dirt and seldom use soap to avoid drying out their skin. Kunis attributed this partly to her own childhood, stating, "I didn't have hot water growing up as a child, so I didn't shower much anyway," while Kutcher added, "If you can see the dirt on them, clean them. Otherwise, there's no point."

#10 Clint Eastwood

Image source: Jimmy Kimmel Live, Mute Maven Director and actor Clint Eastwood's approach to discipline, described by his son Scott as "very old-school," involved physical punishment. Scott Eastwood recounted an instance where his father threw him against a wall for leaving his younger sister at a party. He summarized the experience by stating, "If you did something wrong, you were going to get punished. I learnt quickly.”

#11 Hilary Duff

Image source: hilaryduff, LILLIAN GISSEN A viral video featuring Hilary Duff's then-three-year-old daughter in a moving vehicle without a car seat ignited considerable online discussion in 2022. The footage, shared by a costar, showed the child in the backseat with an incorrectly fastened seatbelt, which goes against California's child restraint laws for children under eight. Duff later addressed the situation, telling Romper that critics had "no context" and questioned, "You're telling me you've never put your kid in the backseat to drive a block before with an adult back there?"

#12 "Snooki" Nicole Polizzi

Image source: snooki, Steph Osmanski Former Jersey Shore star Snooki's approach to her son Lorenzo's temper tantrums involves ignoring them, a tactic she displayed in an Instagram video captioned, "Don't mind my tantrum kid in the back." This prompted significant criticism, with one user commenting, "Can't be sanitary for [your] boy to mop your bathroom floor with his body," to which Snooki responded by telling detractors to "enjoy your Sunday instead of talking sh– to me on an Instagram photo."

#13 Pamela Anderson

Image source: pamelaanderson, AceShowbiz Practicing what she termed "intuitive parenting," Pamela Anderson disclosed in 2015 that she permitted her sons to "honor their instincts," which included allowing them to "drink and experiment with d***s in moderation." This approach later drew significant attention when one of her sons publicly discussed his struggles with addiction during his teenage years.

#14 Gisele Bündchen

Image source: gisele, Alyssa K. Davis Gisele Bündchen employed unconventional uses for her breast milk with her young children, Benjamin and Vivian, telling People, "If they had something in their eyes, I’d put breast milk in their eyes," and using it in their noses before flights "to [ward off] the bacteria on the plane.” Additionally, she utilized an elimination communication technique for potty training her son, which involved carrying him naked and placing him on the toilet after breastfeeding, reportedly resulting in him using the toilet by six months old.

#15 Amanda Stanton

Image source: amanda_stantonn, Sarah Kester A bikini photograph of Amanda Stanton's young daughter, shared by the Bachelor alum, resulted in public disapproval. Instagram followers found the image inappropriate, leading to criticism of the post.

#16 Madonna

Image source: madonna, Nicole Pomarico For Lourdes Leon, living with her mother Madonna meant adhering to a specific standard for cleanliness regarding her belongings. If clothes were left on the floor, Madonna would confiscate them, and Lourdes would then have to re-earn them, sometimes by wearing "the same outfit every day to school until she learns her lesson.”

#17 Kristen Bell And Dax Shepard

Image source: kristenanniebell, LILLIAN GISSEN Kristin Bell and Dax Shepard's parenting style has generated considerable commentary, encompassing a variety of unconventional practices. They shared instances such as briefly locking their daughter in her room to encourage sleep, with Bell admitting, "I know that’s controversial," and a relaxed approach to bathing, waiting until "you catch a whiff." Other disclosed habits included their daughters sleeping on trifold mattresses in the parental bedroom and being permitted to explore a Danish theme park independently for several hours.

#18 Will Smith

Image source: willsmith, Ajani Bazile-Dutes A non-punitive approach to raising children is favored by Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, as shared by Will in 2013. Their philosophy centers on granting children responsibility and control over their own lives from an early age, viewing traditional punishment as having "a little too much of a negative quality." Consequently, their children are permitted to make choices as long as they can justify them as "the right thing to do for your life."

#19 Jessica Simpson

Image source: jessicasimpson, Diane J. Cho Expressions of concern followed Jessica Simpson's Instagram post showing her husband, Eric Johnson, flipping their son, Ace Knute, in a pool while the child wore a cast on his arm. Simpson captioned the clip, "A broken bone doesn't hold this kiddo down #waterproofcast #ACEKNUTE," but comments like, "As someone in healthcare, I'm gonna say that's not a good idea," indicated viewer worry. Despite the negative feedback, other fans supported Simpson.

#20 Lisa Whelchel

Image source: lisawhelchel, Ajani Bazile-Dutes Actress Lisa Whelchel has discussed using hot sauce as a form of discipline for her children, a method she implemented when other approaches were unsuccessful. She described placing a small amount on a child's tongue, explaining, "It does sting and the memory stays with them so that the next time they may actually have some self-control." Whelchel clarified she would only use this tactic if it wouldn't inflict lasting damage.

#21 Tori Spelling

Image source: torispelling, LILLIAN GISSEN Tori Spelling, 51, recently sparked debate after an Instagram Story revealed her seven-year-old son, Beau, gives her massages for an allowance. She posted an image of her son rubbing her legs, writing, "Beau said he wanted to do chores in exchange for an allowance... Solid plan." This disclosure led to public criticism.

#22 Kris Jenner

Image source: krisjenner, Mute Maven Kris Jenner's parenting has attracted scrutiny for various reasons, including her daughters Kendall and Kylie's early entry into reality television at ages 12 and 10, respectively. Additionally, her seeming acceptance of Kylie's relationship with an older rapper while she was underage, and Khloé Kardashian's recollection of overhearing her mother suggest she "needed a nose job" at nine, have contributed to public discussion.

#23 Julia Fox

Image source: juliafox, Ajani Bazile-Dutes Julia Fox presented her views on child-rearing via TikTok, positing that the modern idea of "childhood" is a construct designed to make parents purchase unnecessary toys. She argued this approach fails to impart useful knowledge, potentially leading to children who are "helpless and don’t know what to do." Fox advocates for teaching practical life skills from a young age, suggesting parents should "start teaching them those life skills really young" so children "know how to do things for themselves."

#24 Bethenny Frankel

Image source: bethennyfrankel, Steph Osmanski Bethenny Frankel, known for her presence on The Real Housewives of New York City, sparked significant public reaction when she disclosed consuming a beer while breastfeeding. She commented on the incident to HollyBaby, stating, "I was excited that I was allowed to have a beer," an admission that drew considerable criticism.

#25 Chrissy Teigen

Image source: chrissyteigen, LILLIAN GISSEN Chrissy Teigen, known for sharing bath time moments with her children, recently faced criticism for a photo featuring her with son Miles, six, daughter Esti, two, and 20-month-old son Wren in the tub. This latest instance prompted online users to express discomfort, with some deeming Miles "a little too old to be having a bath with his mom." Negative comments included descriptions like "abnormal" and "cringe," highlighting concerns about the children's privacy and age appropriateness.