Kelly Clarkson has detailed how she is guiding her daughter through the difficulties of junior high while raising two children following her ex-husband Brandon Blackstock’s death.
The “Since U Been Gone” singer, 43, said in an interview published Tuesday that her approach to parenting emphasizes letting River, 12, and Remington, 10, learn from their own missteps. Clarkson described herself as a “pretty progressive parent” who rejects an authoritarian style in favor of offering counsel and allowing natural consequences to unfold.
“No, no. You’re gonna make your own mistakes, and that’s OK,” Clarkson said. “I’m not like an ‘I told you so,’ but I do implement advice.”
The Grammy winner explained that River has entered junior high, an age Clarkson characterized bluntly as one that “sucks.” She noted the social turbulence of early adolescence, including conflicts among friends, and said her daughter has occasionally returned to acknowledge when parental guidance had been on target.
“I’ve had them be like, ‘OK, so I didn’t do that, and I should have,'” Clarkson added.
Blackstock, who was married to Clarkson from 2013 until their divorce was finalized in 2022, died in August 2025 at age 48 following a private three-year battle with melanoma. The former couple’s split had been contentious and prolonged, complicated by Blackstock’s earlier role as Clarkson’s talent manager. She was awarded primary custody of their children but was ordered to pay millions in spousal and child support.
A source said in August that Clarkson has concentrated on providing emotional security for River and Remington throughout the grieving process. “It’s been an incredibly emotional year for Kelly and the kids,” the insider said. “Her focus has been making sure they feel loved, supported and as stable as possible while giving them the space to grieve in their own way.”
Clarkson has also adjusted household routines to accommodate her children’s needs during the transition. In an Instagram Q+A in January, she revealed that she had begun allowing River and Remington to sleep in her bed with greater frequency following the family’s recent hardships.
“There’s been a lot for our family recently, and so I have allowed my kids to sleep with me quite a bit. So it’s my two dogs, my kids and me, it’s a lot,” she shared. “It’s been really special, though. The conversations you have during that time are pretty cute. So that’s probably my favorite time of day.”
The Texas-born vocalist has not been publicly linked to any romantic partner since the dissolution of her marriage. She launched her daytime talk show, “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” in 2019, though recent reports indicate she has decided to conclude the program after its seventh season to devote more attention to her family.
Clarkson’s remarks on parenting arrived as she prepares to wrap her talk show’s final season.