Alicia Silverstone’s son Bear Blu Jarecki, born on May 5, 2011, has grown into an adorable vegan much like his mother. The former Clueless star and her ex-husband Christopher Jarecki share their commitment to veganism, recently collaborating on a 2024 PETA campaign. This mother-son duo’s lifestyle and activism continue to attract attention, highlighting eco-conscious values within their family.
Early Family Life and Co-Parenting After Divorce
Silverstone welcomed Bear with Christopher Jarecki after a long-term relationship spanning over two decades. The couple, who began dating in 1997 and married in 2005, separated amicably in 2017 but remain close and committed to co-parenting their son. According to a representative at the time of their split,
“They still deeply love and respect each other and remain very close friends but have mutually decided to separate after being together for 20 years,”
and added,
“They have a son together who they will continue to co-parent.”
Despite the end of their marriage, Silverstone and Jarecki have maintained a harmonious relationship. In 2020, Silverstone shared on Today how their family “flow really well together,” allowing Bear to have a say in family decisions. She said,
“We ask Bear where he wants to be,”
and reflected on how empowering it is for him to choose,
“He said, ‘I love that I get to decide.’ We both have different perks!”
Birth and Early Years of Bear Blu Jarecki
Bear was born at 7:50 a.m. weighing nearly 8 pounds. Silverstone expressed overwhelming joy after his arrival, saying,
“We are all three in love!”
She also thanked her supporters for the positive energy during her pregnancy, adding,
“I’m so grateful to this community for all the love, support, good wishes and happy vibes you’ve sent me during my pregnancy … it has been wonderful. Thank you all!”
Unique Parenting Methods: The Practice of “Bird Feeding”
Among the unconventional child-rearing methods Silverstone chose for Bear is “bird feeding,” involving pre-chewing food and feeding it mouth-to-mouth as part of his weaning process before he developed teeth. In a 2012 interview, she explained,
“It’s a part of the weaning process, so while I’m still breast-feeding it’s just a way to introduce him to food when he doesn’t have teeth… and he can’t chew.”
Understanding that this approach might surprise some, Silverstone assured critics by emphasizing its natural roots:
“I can understand that it would make some people feel uncomfortable, possibly, because it’s new to them,”
she said.
“But I do want to let you know that this has been going on for thousands of years—still going on all over the place—and it’s natural.”
Following Vegan Footsteps: Bear’s Plant-Based Diet
Echoing Silverstone’s commitment to veganism, Bear has embraced a plant-based diet since infancy. The actress has described this lifestyle choice as a “no-brainer” and shared that Bear enjoys the food, stating,
“[Bear] loves the food I give him.”
She also noted his delight with fresh fruits, saying they are “like candy” to him.
Silverstone credits her son’s health in part to his diet, revealing he has
“never had to take medicine in his life.”
She explained that although Bear may experience common colds,
“He can get sniffles and a runny nose but he’s not down, he still goes to school.”
Moments when he’s felt unwell have been few and short-lived, with Silverstone saying,
“Two times in his life has he been like, ‘Mommy I don’t feel good,’ and it was only for a few hours and he was back running around.”
Mother and Son’s Sleeping Arrangements and Natural Parenting Philosophy
Silverstone has continued to practice co-sleeping with Bear, supporting this as a natural approach to parenting. Speaking in 2022, she stated she shares a bed with her son as “following nature” and embracing her instincts as a “natural mama.” She said,
“If you were in any kind of wild setting where there are animals … if you put your baby over there, your baby is going to get eaten,”
elaborating,
“It’s not ideal for the baby to be over there.”
A Change in Appearance: Bear’s Head Shaved in 2020
In 2020, Bear swapped his long, waist-length hair for a much shorter style, which Silverstone described affectionately. She said in an interview,
“He’s adorable and he’s happy, and it’s all good. He’s adorable with hair, he’s adorable without hair!”
The actress also shared an emotional moment about saving some of his hair, reflecting,
“I didn’t realize how, when they take their hair off, how much it changes [them]. He looks like a kid instead of my baby.”
Bear’s Connection to ‘Clueless’ and Early Movie Experiences
At the 30-year anniversary panel for Clueless in 2025, Silverstone revealed that Bear had first seen the movie when he was about five years old. She allowed it primarily because it was shown on a big screen at a cemetery, where he could watch without fully understanding the themes.
“The only reason I would allow that, because I don’t think it’s appropriate for 5-year-olds, is because it was on that big screen that we saw it at the cemetery. He didn’t know what was going on,”
she explained.
She shared a sweet anecdote,
“The only thing he took away was the kiss at the end. He started kissing me more. It was so sweet,”
and concluded that he “really likes this film.” Bear himself confirmed to People that he has watched the movie “maybe four times.”
Shared Activism: Alicia and Bear Partner with PETA
Both Alicia Silverstone and her son Bear participate in activism around animal rights and veganism. They teamed up in 2024 for PETA’s campaign titled cut class, not frogs, advocating for the use of animal-free alternatives in educational dissections. Silverstone emphasized the concern this practice raises, saying,
“Dissection is the only thing we ask our kids to do in school that we would be disturbed to find out they were doing outside of school. Cutting up dead animals desensitizes them. It tells them it’s OK to hurt other creatures, to hurt each other.”
She further highlighted the importance of humane options by stating,
“There are so many humane alternatives, from 3D models [to] computer programs.”
This campaign underscores their dedication to advocating for kindness and ethical treatment of animals, aligning with their vegan lifestyle and values.
Future Perspectives on Parenting and Family Growth
Reflecting on whether she would have more children, Silverstone opened up about past decisions during a 2022 podcast. She said,
“I wanted more kids, but then my relationship got messed up, and it wasn’t a great time to bring one in.”
She added that her love for Bear made her hesitant to expand her family quickly, explaining,
“I didn’t want to have one right away because I was so in love with my Bear. I wanted to squeeze every little moment out of him, so it wasn’t until he was like 3 that I was ready to make another baby and then I didn’t have a partner, so that’s why I don’t have four babies.”
Through this insight, it’s clear that Silverstone remains deeply devoted to her son as she navigates the complexities of parenting and personal relationships.
