Kelly Clarkson Admits To Spanking Her Children When They Misbehave

Clarkson, 42, is a well-known American singer-songwriter celebrated for hit songs like “Because Of You” and “Since U Been Gone.”She’s estimated to have sold over 25 million albums and 45 million singles worldwide, and Billboard has called her “one of pop music’s greatest singers.”

However, Clarkson is now facing significant backlash due to some controversial comments about her parenting.After she admitted she’s “not above spanking” her children, people took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to express their outrage.

One user remarked: “Kelly Clarkson should’ve been canceled when she proudly admitted that she spanks her kids. I for one deleted all her music from my library when she said that.”Another person added: “I was spanked as a kid and it was traumatizing. I don’t even remember what I did wrong. I only remember being terrified.”

Kelly Clarkson has sparked outrage after saying she spanks her children if they misbehave.Alamy

A third commenter argued: “You can’t hit someone and then teach them that hitting you is wrong.”

Someone else wrote: “I can’t imagine hitting my kid, no matter how frustrating he’s being. Kids don’t have the reasoning and emotional regulation skills adults do.”On the other hand, some people defended Clarkson. One fan wrote: “There’s nothing wrong with that! It’s a way of giving discipline to kids in my culture.”

Another supporter agreed, saying: “All I can say is I stole candy when I was a kid, got spanked, and then never did it again.”Clarkson, known for her hit “Stronger” and for winning the first-ever season of American Idol, has two children with her ex-husband, talent manager Brandon Blackstock.

Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock seperated after nearly seven years of marriage.Alamy

They welcomed their daughter, River Rose, in 2014, and their son, Remington ‘Remy’ Alexander, in 2016.

Clarkson and Blackstock first met in 2006, started dating in 2012, got engaged later that year, and married in 2013.However, after almost seven years of marriage, they filed for divorce in June 2020, citing “irreconcilable differences.”

The divorce led to a lengthy legal battle over spousal support, child custody, Clarkson’s Montana ranch, and more, according to Us Weekly.Their divorce was finalized in 2022, with a settlement that required Clarkson to make a one-time payment of $1,326,161 to Blackstock.

Kelly Clarkson is focusing on her children and career following her divorce.Alamy

She also agreed to pay $115,000 monthly until January 31, 2024, and $45,601 per month in child support, as reported by Today.

The arrangement included joint custody of their children, with Clarkson holding primary custody.This year, Clarkson has reached a confidential settlement with Blackstock regarding the millions in commission he paid himself while managing her, according to Rolling Stone.

Despite the tough circumstances of her split, Clarkson has stayed focused on her career and her children.She frequently opens up about her parenting experiences. In a 2016 interview with Redbook, she said: “I have a lot of mom guilt. I was just talking about this… If you’re a mom, you want to be with your kid every day.”

Kelly Clarkson often opens up about parenting and being a mom.Instagram/kellyclarkson

“You don’t want to miss a moment. You want her to need you and want you and not want somebody else. I’m not gonna BS you, that’s hard.”

“There are days where I cry like and I’m like, ‘I don’t know if I can handle all this!’ or get it all done.”“But at the end of the day, 99 percent of the time, it’s awesome and it’s worth it and that’s what I say to myself.”

Nevertheless, her comments on parenting have sparked controversy.During an interview on Atlanta radio station 94.1 in 2018, the singer shared (via FM104): “I’m not above a spanking, which people aren’t necessarily into. I don’t mean hitting her hard. I just mean a spanking.”

Kelly Clarkson says she will ‘warn’ her children before spanking them.Instagram/kellyclarkson

Clarkson explained that her approach to discipline is influenced by her own childhood, adding:

“My parents spanked me, and I did fine in life, and I feel fine about it, and I do that as well. That’s a tricky thing, when you’re out in public, because then people are like, they think that’s wrong or something, but I find nothing wrong with a spanking.“

She further elaborated on disciplining her daughter with spankings:“I warn her. I’m like, ‘Hi, I’m going to spank you on your bottom if you don’t stop right now, this is ridiculous,’ and honestly it’s really helped. She doesn’t do that kind of stuff as often.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has condemned the use of spanking for discipline.Their statement reads: “Corporal punishment – or the use of spanking as a disciplinary tool – increases aggression in young children in the long run and is ineffective in teaching a child responsibility and self-control.”

“In fact, new evidence suggests that it may cause harm to the child by affecting normal brain development. Other methods that teach children right from wrong are safer and more effective.”The AAP also notes the potential harm of verbal punishment, including shaming or humiliation.