Neil Patrick Harris on raising 12-year-old twins
Introduction
Parenting is a never-ending journey, and every stage poses its own set of joys and challenges. American actor and professional chef Neil Patrick Harris is raising his 12-year-old twins, Harper and Gideon, with his husband David Burtka. In a recent interview with Yahoo Life, Harris shared his parenting philosophy and some tips, tricks, and stories of how he and Burtka are in the exciting, yet challenging, phase of raising a pair of twins.
Getting outdoors and limiting screen time
Harris emphasized the importance of limiting screen time and encouraging outdoor activities for his kids. He acknowledged the tricky nature of managing the screen limits, especially when the children grew up with screens as part of their social interactions with friends. However, Harris believes that life is best done in moderation and tries to provide various outlets to keep his children’s focus away from screens. As they live in New York City, there are plenty of opportunities to explore their surroundings. The family seeks out parks and other spots of natural beauty, where nature creates a tangible impact on his children and them visually engage with and understand their surroundings.
Creativity and bonding in the kitchen
The Harris-Burtka family sees their time in the kitchen as a more productive and bonding activity. Harris recalled how his daughter, Harper, has been experimenting with making fluffy, thick pancakes. When she failed on her first attempt, he was proud that she pushed through and ended up perfecting them a few weekends later. For Harris and Burtka, cooking is also a way to creatively relax, taking breaks from work and their busy schedules, while enjoying each other’s company.
No parenting rule book
Harris acknowledged that the challenges he and his husband faced in raising twins were different from what they initially had faced when raising infants. With their kids becoming more independent and mature, parents have to continually adapt to new situations and be aware sometimes their knowledge and skills may be limited. Harris lauded his husband for his flexibility and adaptability, and he recognized the importance of being selfless and willing to change or acknowledge when they don’t have all the answers.
Impartial advice
As every child is unique, no fixed formula can guarantee a successful parenting journey. Harris advises parents to be attentive, detail-oriented, and consistent. Every rule should have a particular reason and never parent out of fear. Parent and child practices evolve, and as children grow, so, too, must the parenting techniques. Flexibility is key to meet the needs of the growing children.
Conclusion
A parenting journey is always challenging but rewarding. For Harris and Burtka, every day is a new adventure with their intelligent, creative, and loving twins, requiring attention to detail, adaptability, and consistency. Parents need to be attentive to their children’s needs and analyze how they process things, which is essential for their growth and development. In the end, parenting is about being a partner, a mentor, and a friend to one’s children and witnessing their evolution into mature adults.
<< photo by Jessica Felicio >>
