Ryan Reynolds offered insight into his Ryan Reynolds parenting style during a discussion at the Wall Street Journal CMO Summit in New York, where his children were present. Speaking candidly, Reynolds described how he and Blake Lively prioritize safety and emotional connection when raising their four kids, using humor to shed light on their family life.
Sharing His Approach to Modern Parenting
During the November 19, 2025, summit, Reynolds reflected on the style of parenting he practices with his wife, actress Blake Lively, and how it differs from his own upbringing. His four children—James, Inez, Betty, and Olin—range in age from two to ten. The actor and co-owner of Wrexham explained that his parenting philosophy centers on providing a secure environment to help his children develop better judgment and thoughtful behavior.
“Soft parenting is new, right? I didn’t have that.”
—Ryan Reynolds, Actor
Reynolds elaborated on his method by highlighting the gentle approach: less yelling, minimal punishment, and more focus on guiding children with a calm presence. According to Reynolds,
“There’s not a lot of yelling or punishments or anything like that,”
—Ryan Reynolds, Actor
In addition, he challenged the long-standing myth that creativity requires personal turmoil or hardship.
“I don’t think … I really don’t believe that you have to be screwed up, f—– up, to make good stuff.”
—Ryan Reynolds, Actor
He even made light of the modern parent’s constant worry, joking,
“It’s a worry, you know: ‘God I’m not f—— them up enough?’.”
—Ryan Reynolds, Actor
Safety and Decision-Making at Home
Reynolds connected this gentle parenting model to helping children make decisions from a grounded and secure place, rather than out of fear. He stated,
“If you’re just in a place of safety, you make great decisions.”
—Ryan Reynolds, Actor
This atmosphere of safety fosters mindfulness and reduces the tendency toward reactionary behavior or emotional outbursts. Yet Reynolds doesn’t ignore the inevitable chaos of raising four young kids, bringing levity with a comparison to mischief at home.
“Are they still, like, spawns of Satan? Yes.”
—Ryan Reynolds, Actor
He clarified, with typical wit, that in such moments he sometimes feels like “Satan.” The couple’s children—James, Inez, Betty, and Olin—make up a lively household that often requires real-time solutions for everyday conflicts.
Learning and Evolving as a Parent
Beyond humor, Reynolds has spoken publicly about seeking growth and learning new strategies for conflict resolution. He credited a recent workshop for prompting significant personal change in how he resolves conflicts and models behavior for his children. Contrasting today’s softer parenting approaches with his own childhood, he remarked,
“Parents today are so different. We’re so soft. I don’t yell,”
—Ryan Reynolds, Actor
“I grew up with like — it was nuts, it was an improvised militia.”
—Ryan Reynolds, Actor
Overall, the Ryan Reynolds parenting style that he outlines involves maintaining a balance of compassion and consistency, using humor as a coping mechanism, and ensuring his children always feel safe and understood. His presence at the WSJ Summit, alongside mentions of his wife Blake Lively and their four kids, underscores the family’s commitment to these grounded parenting values.
The actor’s openness about his transformation as a father may encourage conversations among other parents about evolving family norms and the role of emotional security in raising the next generation.
