Kelly Clarkson is Miss Independent, but sometimes her kids don’t get it.
Nearly three years after the “Piece By Piece” singer and ex Brandon Blackstock divorced, she detailed a double standard that has revealed itself amid their coparenting dynamic as working parents of kids River, 10, and Remy, 8.
“Why do schools have things in the middle of the f–king day?” Kelly lamented to Kylie Kelce during a March 25 episode of Not Gonna Lie. “They’re like, ‘Oh your daughter has a performance,’ and I’m like ‘Cool, I get to be the asshole because you decided that it would be a real opportune moment at 10 a.m. on a Thursday—when we’re out here hustling.’”
She admitted that River will sometimes compare her to the other moms who can show up, adding that the school’s scheduling choices are “cruel.”
Kylie concurred, adding that her own daughters—Wyatt, 5, Elliotte, 4 and Bennett, 2—seem to understand when their dad Jason Kelce has to travel for work. Kelly, meanwhile, continued, noting her kids are “innately” okay with their dad missing big events because of his work schedule.
“It’s funny though how different it is because even from a young age, like we didn’t teach them [that],” the American Idol alumexplained. “They’re like, ‘He’s allowed to be somewhere, but you’re not.’ Like, that is real interesting.”
Kelly added, “There’s a lot that I keep in, ‘cause coparenting is fun.”
She went on to mimic a conversation she seems to repeatedly have with her kids.
“‘Do you think I just leave and sit in the park all day?’” she joked. “Mommy does work, that’s okay. Women and men work, it’s okay.”
This isn’t the first time Kelly has gotten candid on being a single parent. After all, she previously explained the sometimes uncomfortable conversation that comes up considering her dating life.
“They constantly bring it up, ‘Please, we don’t want you with anybody else,’” Kelly told KOST 103.5 in November. “They’re young, it’s hard to picture their mom with someone else other than their dad.”
Of course, Kelly isn’t going to let her kids stop her from so moving on. As she put it, “I have expressed like, ‘Hey, I love you guys but Mommy needs lovings too.’”
For a deeper look into Kelly’s dynamic with her kids, keep reading…
A Moment Like This
Kelly Clarkson‘s kids River and Remy, whose dad is her ex-husband Brandon Blackstock, sweetly stole the show when they appeared on a December 2024 episode of her eponymous series.
Mother-Son Night Out
For the 2024 Grammys, the “Because Of You” brought her son Remy as her plus-one.
Fun Backstage
Kelly shared this pic of her kids backstage at her Las Vegas residency show in August 2023, just before they joined their mom onstage for surprise appearances.
Mom & Daughter Memories
The “Since U Been Gone” singer was joined by her daughter Remy at the 2022 People’s Choice Awards.
Star Sighting
River and Remy celebrated their mom receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in September 2022.
Family Movie Premiere
In 2019, Kelly and Brandon attended the premiere of her movie UglyDolls with Remy and River as well as with his kids Seth and Savannah from his previous marriage. The American Idol winner filed for divorce from the manager the following year and their union was formally dissolved in 2022.
Visiting Mom at Work
River and Remy sat alongside celebrity guest Jason Momoa on their mom’s talk show in 2019.
Lake Life
Kelly enjoyed some fun in the sun with Remy and River Rose in 2018.
Today Show Appearance
Kelly’s kids made the cutest cameo when they joined Hoda Kotb on a 2017 episode of Today.
Howdy, Partner
Who doesn’t love a day at Disneyland with mom?
In Charge
River and Remy were ready to help put out fires and solve crime in their costumes.
Road Trip
The kids buckled up for a family drive.
Disco Diva
River proved she already takes after her mom when it comes to performing, and Kelly couldn’t have been any more proud.
Flying High
“NYC y’all ain’t ready for Remy B……I’M SO EXCITED!!!!!!” Kelly captioned this adorable snap of her little man.
Make-Up Free
Kelly was all smiles as she took this selfie with her daughter.
Girls on Set
When making her music video in 2017, the Texas native brought her daughter along for some behind-the-scenes fun.
Hockey Fun
In May 2017, the fam took in a Nashville Predators hockey game and even rocked matching jerseys.
Smooches
Ugh, could this be any cuter of an Easter moment?
Remy’s Day
Remy’s first birthday in 2017 was a total blast and included a massive cake!
Happy Holiday
Kelly and River braved the Tennessee winter temps to be a part of the Nashville Christmas Parade in 2016. And seriously, they’re so stinking cute.
Play Time
While on a visit to Washington D.C., Kelly’s little ones got a ride on a blanket courtesy of their half-brother Seth.
Book Launch
To celebrate the launch of her children’s book, the mom of two shared this adorable snap of her and her daughter.
Three Generations
For Mother’s Day, the singer gave her mom a sweet shout-out and posted this adorable photo of three generations.
Famous Friends
Live from New York…it’s Kelly’s little one hanging out with SNL alum Jimmy Fallon.
Mamma’s Girl
In October 2014, the Grammy winner shared her first photo of daughter River Rose.
