Seven times Mr. Olympia Arnold Schwarzenegger has managed to maintain a good relationship with his kids and ex-wife, Maria Shriver, despite their separation in 2011. After staying married for 25 years, the couple decided to separate after Arnold’s affair with housemaid Mildred Baena became public. Despite the couple’s divorce in 2021, they ensured not to let this affect their kids in any way.
In a candid revelation that the bodybuilding veteran made recently during a podcast with renowned YouTuber Jay Shetty, he confessed that despite being overwhelming at first, being a parent is fun for ‘The Austrian Oak.’
Arnold Schwarzenegger recalls his experiences as a father
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Arnold, who is the father of five children, has a lot of knowledge and experience when it comes to parenting. While he admits that his parenting methods were a little too strict according to American standards, he also confessed during the podcast with Jay Shetty that he enjoyed the process a lot. So much so that he could not control himself from crying when he first held Katherine, as revealed in his earlier book, ‘Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story.
Even though parenting was a bit overwhelming and tiring, it was fun at the end of the day for Schwarzenegger. He stated, “It’s a lot of fun. I never thought that having kids will be that much fun.” Continuing further, Schwarzenegger said, “I always thought about, you know, the work that it will take…you have to just be on top of everything, and also having animals…because the kids grow up with these animals and you teach them how to take care of them. They have to have a sense of responsibility.”
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While Arnold had fun raising his kids, many people believe that his parenting methods were a bit too strict. But why is that? Let’s take a look.
Arnold once threw Patrick’s mattress from the balcony
A while ago, Schwarzenegger was asked during ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ about his take on his parenting methods. Schwarzenegger answered the question by admitting that he was strict according to American standards. Arnold stated, “Well, it depends what your definition is… I think the way I grew up, I was lenient, but I think for American standards, probably strict.”
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Providing one instance of his parenting methods, Schwarzenegger revealed that his eldest son, Patrick, had a bad habit of not making his bed himself. In order to teach him a lesson, Arnold stated what he had to do. “I opened up the door to the balcony, picked up the mattress, and threw it down with the bedsheets, the pillows, everything. I said, don’t ever make someone come in and clean your room, clean your shower, or make your bed,” he shared. “I said, ‘Because I taught you how to make the bed.’”
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Despite his strict ways, Arnold’s love for his kids was on another level. It was his tough methods that helped shape his kids’ lives. What are your views on this? Let us know in the comments.