Ellie Kemper ditches strict parenting structure for a relaxed summer with her sons
Ellie Kemper is ready to trade structure for spontaneity this summer. The 45-year-old actress and mom of two told Parents magazine that she's letting go of rigid parenting rules in favor of a more relaxed approach with her sons James, 8, and Matthew, 5.
"I'm looking forward to having not as much structure," said The Office alum, acknowledging that while experts often stress the importance of routine, she believes summer offers a natural break. 'I think it's also nice to let some of the structure slide.'
Kemper, who shares her children with husband and comedy writer Michael Koman, described her parenting style as 'constantly evolving.' She admitted that while their home has rules and boundaries, she's learning to adapt and ease up when necessary.
Known for her cheerful roles on Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and The Office, Kemper has also been candid about her real-life parenting moments. On The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2021, she shared how her son Matthew's first phrase was a polite 'No thanks,' joking that she deserved a medal for raising such a courteous toddler.
She also spoke fondly about her older son, James, who is both respectful and independent. 'He'll say, 'Mom, you don't have to help me—I know you don't have a lot of patience left,'' Kemper recalled with a laugh.
With summer here, Kemper seems ready to embrace more play, flexibility, and the joy of less structure—something many parents may find relatable.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Express Tribune
Margaret Cho reflects on awkward dynamic with Ellen DeGeneres in recent podcast
Comedian Margaret Cho, 56, opened up about her uneasy experiences with Ellen DeGeneres, calling her behavior 'creepy and weird' during a candid episode of the Kelly Mantle Show podcast. Cho shared that she had opened for DeGeneres in the 1980s when the latter headlined comedy clubs. However, decades later, DeGeneres acted as if they had never met, according to Cho, which she found dismissive and unsettling. One incident Cho recounted involved David Bowie, who enthusiastically complimented her elaborate 'Chinese emperor' outfit during a taping of The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Cho claimed the segment was edited out, a decision she found pointed, especially after a producer friend confirmed the removal. Cho speculated that DeGeneres may have been uncomfortable when women close to her expressed admiration for Cho. 'Ellen was really weird and not nice to me for most of my career,' she said, summarizing their decades-long estrangement. These reflections come amid continued public discourse surrounding DeGeneres's behind-the-scenes conduct. In 2020, former staffers alleged toxic workplace behavior on her show, contributing to its end in 2022. While Cho acknowledged her comments were based on personal experience and interpretation, they echoed themes previously raised about DeGeneres's public image and off-camera persona. As of now, DeGeneres and her representatives have not issued a response to Cho's remarks.
Express Tribune
18-06-2025
- Express Tribune
Ellie Kemper ditches strict parenting structure for a relaxed summer with her sons
Ellie Kemper is ready to trade structure for spontaneity this summer. The 45-year-old actress and mom of two told Parents magazine that she's letting go of rigid parenting rules in favor of a more relaxed approach with her sons James, 8, and Matthew, 5. "I'm looking forward to having not as much structure," said The Office alum, acknowledging that while experts often stress the importance of routine, she believes summer offers a natural break. 'I think it's also nice to let some of the structure slide.' Kemper, who shares her children with husband and comedy writer Michael Koman, described her parenting style as 'constantly evolving.' She admitted that while their home has rules and boundaries, she's learning to adapt and ease up when necessary. Known for her cheerful roles on Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and The Office, Kemper has also been candid about her real-life parenting moments. On The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2021, she shared how her son Matthew's first phrase was a polite 'No thanks,' joking that she deserved a medal for raising such a courteous toddler. She also spoke fondly about her older son, James, who is both respectful and independent. 'He'll say, 'Mom, you don't have to help me—I know you don't have a lot of patience left,'' Kemper recalled with a laugh. With summer here, Kemper seems ready to embrace more play, flexibility, and the joy of less structure—something many parents may find relatable.
Express Tribune
17-06-2025
- Express Tribune
Jesse Tyler Ferguson from Modern Family recalls awkward police encounter
Actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson, renowned for his role in Modern Family, recently shared a humorous yet reflective story from his teenage years during an appearance on Where There's a Will There's a Wake with host Mel Giedroyc. Ferguson recalled a time when he was in his early teens and found himself caught while attempting to steal an adult magazine as part of his exploration of his sexuality. Reflecting on the incident, he expressed that it wasn't out of criminal intent but rather a way to understand his identity at a time when resources were scarce. 'There wasn't a lot available to me to explore my sexuality,' Ferguson said, noting the limited options he had back then. The incident took a turn when security at the store, alerted by a metal detector, called the police. Ferguson humorously described his reaction, adding, 'I almost died then… knowing I had something under my shirt.' He later reflected on how the situation was both an awkward and formative moment in his journey of self-discovery. Now happily married to Justin Mikita with two young children, Ferguson often shares stories about his experiences with parenting and life. In one memorable moment from The Ellen DeGeneres Show, he joked about raising his son, Beckett, 'gay until he decides to be straight,' highlighting the lighthearted nature of his approach to fatherhood. Ferguson's candid reflection comes amidst other stories of openness, including from Modern Family co-star Aubrey Anderson-Emmons, who recently shared her bisexuality in a TikTok video. Both actors contribute to important conversations about identity and representation in the entertainment industry.
