Yesterday marked the 23rd wedding anniversary for Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness. They usually do some touching tribute and I generally cover it, but God knows who might have shown up to congratulate them so I felt it best to leave it alone. Instead, I thought we could talk about Jackman’s comments on adjusting to his kids becoming teenagers because that’s something I can relate to. Jackman has two kids, Oscar is 18 and Ava is 13. (I can’t believe Oscar is graduating from high school!)
On how parenting changed: My son is about to leave high school, and my daughter is about to go into high school. It’s amazing to just have conversations with them. But it took a bit of readjusting. It went from ‘Hey, guys, these are the rules, we don’t do that,’ to having to give them reasons why.
On watching movies: It’s nice to go to the movies and see something you both want to see. It’s no longer ‘Oh good, let’s watch Shrek for the 120th time.’ I mean, I love Shrek but not 120 times.
On what being a dad has taught him: When your focus is innately, deeply, one hundred percent become these kids in your life and their well being it just seems to put everything into perspective. Being a father has taught me so much.
My kids are a little younger (14 and 12) but I get his comments here. I guess I’ve adjusted too, but it’s such a welcome adjustment that I see it almost as a reward for surviving their childhood. Yes, there is moodiness and the drah-mah! but in total, I like having teenagers so much better than little kids. I absolutely adore the conversations, even if it is them negotiating a rule or defending something they did. They’re fascinating and I love when they give me a thoughtful response (even if the answer’s still no).
The movie thing is a mixed bag. I do get to see a better variety but I’ve also missed a couple I wanted to see in theaters because my kids asked me to wait for them and we couldn’t coordinate our schedules. Jackman’s animated film, Missing Link, opens today so I’ll bet he’s praying some poor schlub out there will be forced to the theater to see it 120 times, though. But yeah, I can still recite Finding Nemo by heart. We all have limits, no matter how much we enjoyed the film.
Photo credit: WENN Photos and Getty Images
I just lost complete respect for Hugh when he defended Ivanka & her husband.
You are the company you keep.
Just wanted to say thank you for not calling his children his “adopted” children. As an adoptee, it drives me crazy when people make that designation. We’re our parents’ children, no matter our origin. So big thank you for that!
Seconded by a mom who built her family through adoption!
I’m with you. Having older kids is the best thing EVER!!!
I wonder how he explains to his kids how he chooses to support the most hateful, corrupt, and criminal First Family in US history?
Should ask Complicit Barbie for advice.she has a book or two. Just can’t with him.
The movie thing is a double edged sword for me. I love kids movies (like the animated films from Disney, I don’t like the movies aimed at tweens, like Goosebumps or something). So I’m sad as my kids get older and they start to move beyond those kinds of movies. I mean, they’re 4 and 7, lol, so I have plenty of time, but I can see the shift sort of happening with my older one and it makes me sad. But, I guess the trade off is that we can watch more Star Wars movies together haha.
my youngest stepson is turning 10 so I know what you mean, he’s reaching the point where he doesn’t always want to see every animated movie. but it’s been really fun getting to share some of the classics from what I grew up with him, we’ve been big into old Tom Hanks movies lately.
My kids are 18 and 20 and we still see Pixar and Disney films in the theaters. They loved Moana. Ratatouille and the Bee Movie are still car favorites for road trips.
Was it it difficult to talk to them about how their parents are friends with the children of evil despots (and who they themselves are evil), but that it’s totally okay because you know that they’re really great people and so friendly and stuff? I mean, aside from doing the types of things that hurt and marginalize people who look like them?
I think every age is an adjustment. I’ve ‘walked in’ on two sons and the internet, and my third is 13. Can’t wait. Also, each started negotiating with me around eight. In many ways they were more mature than their friends, but in other ways they lagged. Binkys and sleeping with Mom and Dad lasted forEVAH. My oldest is living with his fiancë. I remember all his complaints when me and my hubs would argue or get into it over stress or something small. Now he understands life’s little nuances and adjustments.
And just two days ago, I received a call from the FBI. I was interviewed for about an hour about my middle son’s new position within the military and his high security clearance. Hands down, weirdest and most unexpected conversation I’ve ever had lol. Adjustments? Yeah. Oh and my 7th grader suggested this bruise on my shoulder looks like a hickey. Terrific. Adolescence is coming. Seal the tunnels; keep the monster north of the wall.
Still friends with Jared and Ivanka, Hugh? Yeah?
Bye.
My son is 14 and I admit I’m having a hard time adjusting. He’s gone from being the happiest, sweetest kid to this moody and miserable stranger in my house. I really try to understand that he can’t help it and his hormones are going crazy right now, but after days of just being grunted at, I sometimes lose it. Which he ignores…..sigh…. This phase does pass right??
Can relate, son is 15 1/2 … I think we’re in this stage for a while.
Yes. It passes. And on the back end, the apologies and thank yous are numerous.
Teenagers vent to the people they love and trust. Just let them know you have their back. What else can you do? 🙂
It does pass but it takes awhile. Having teenagers is a lonely business- i have three teenage sons. It’s hard to adjust from being the coolest person ever to being the weirdest lamest dumbest person who has ever walked the face of the earth. But my 18 year old is getting better, hence the belief it passes.
I’ve found that parenting a teenager becomes less ‘active management’ to more ‘lifestyle consultant.’
I will never look at Hugh the same after finding out he was – and still is – friends with Ivanka and Jared. I am firm believer that who you keep company with is a reflection of your values. And his weak defense of why he is still friends with them was just plain dumb. I used to love Hugh – I met him once and he was very nice – but I’ve lost all respect for him. And I don’t know if I will be paying to see anymore of his films. Maybe I will. But probably not. People are endlessly disappointing.
Going through the toddler years over here, and she’s already trying to negotiate. ha! I look forward to the “more thoughtful answers.” 🙂 And we have hit our own limit with Good Dinosaur. Good lord that is one whiny character.
Ivanka probably sent him an anniversary card. Yuck!