Some people might not realize this, but Channing Tatum is actually a father. The 43-year-old actor, best known for his role in the ‘Magic Mike‘ film series, shares a 10-year-old daughter named Everly with his ex-wife, Jenna Dewan.
Tatum likes to keep his personal life private, but during a recent interview with TODAY to discuss his latest children’s book, The One and Only Sparkella and the Big Lie, Tatum opened up about life as a single father.
He was asked what kind of parent he thought he was:
I have no idea, I don’t know. I’m just trying to get by. I think like every other parent, you’re just trying not to mess your kids up. But you know you’re going to. When I knew I was going to have a kid, I was like, ‘Alright, I’m probably going to be the parent — I plan to be the parent — who was probably going to get her in more trouble than I kept her out of.’ And then as they kind of get older, you start to realize, ‘Oh, I have to set boundaries.’
Boundaries are important. Rules are important. Kids may complain about them in the moment, but studies show those are the things that make a kid feel loved. For example, if you give them a curfew, they may complain about it, but deep down they feel good knowing their parents care about their safety and want them home.
Tatum has even noticed this in his own daughter, noting her anxiety goes down when more rules are in place.
Her anxiety goes down, her stress level goes down when she just understands the rules. And they’re not even your rules, we call them the house rules. You gotta always take your plate to the sink, you gotta pick up your clothes, you gotta brush your teeth — just really normal, simple stuff.
Sounds like he’s doing this whole parenting thing right!
