Kelly Clarkson Says Her Kids Can Get “Really Sad” About Divorce From Brandon Blackstock

Divorce is not easy for anyone, especially kids.

Kelly Clarkson knows this all too well. The 40-year-old singer was on Angie Martinez’s IRL Podcast on Monday, and she did not hold back. She was honest and open during the conversation, revealing she makes it a ritual to check in on her 7-year-old son Remy and her 9-year-old daughter River to gauge their feelings.

She started this tradition after she divorced their father, Brandon Blackstock, over one year ago.

I ask my kids every night when we’re snuggling and I put them to bed, ‘Are you happy? And if you’re not, what could make you happier?’ Especially the past two years … it kills me [but] I want them to be honest so I don’t ever say, ‘Oh God, don’t tell me that,’ but a lot of times it would be like, ‘I’m just really sad. I wish Mommy and Daddy were in the same house.’ They’re really honest about it. I’m raising that kind of individual.

Clarkson just listens to them. After all, it’s not like she doesn’t understand. She comes from a divorced family as well, so she knows exactly how they’re feeling.

I think [it’s important to be] communicating with them and … not treating them like an adult, because they’re not, but not treating them like a child. They’re not small feelings. Those are huge feelings, and those are huge emotions.

She added that the divorce contributed to a “really rough” couple of years, but with the help of therapy, she’s slowly starting to come out on the other side.

Keep your head up, Kelly!