Nearly all the Kardashian kids have grown up under a glaring spotlight, and while they might have everything their hearts desire, their lives aren’t always as glamorous beneath all the glitter and hoopla. The Kardashian parents have faced accusations of neglecting their kids, thrusting them into the limelight, dragging them to events they might not want to attend, and depriving them of normal, fun childhood experiences. Some family members have even faced accusations of using their children as mere accessories. Throughout the many years that we have been keeping up with the Kardashians, here are just a few instances of how the clan’s offspring have dealt with the reality of being a member of the Kardashian family.
Kim Kardashian has often spoken candidly about her motherhood struggles, providing critics with even more fodder. The Kardashian kids may not benefit from fame, according to experts. Kim has previously admitted to having difficulty saying no to her kids. Parenting expert Kirsty Ketley told The Sun that Kim’s parenting approach might lead to challenges. “Always giving in to your kids and saying ‘yes’ rather than ‘no’ sets kids up for a lifetime of high expectations,” Ketley explained.
Khloe’s Youngest Son’s Party Outfit Sparks Controversy
Khloe Kardashian and Tristan Thompson’s son, Tatum, was born via surrogate. Khloe struggled with naming him and kept this journey private, referring to him publicly as her baby or her son. Fans criticized Khloe when she posted videos of Kim Kardashian’s son, Psalm West’s birthday party on her Instagram Stories. The firefighter-themed party showcased firefighting costumes adorned with each child’s name, yet Tatum’s outfit bore only “T. Thompson,” in contrast to the full names of the other children.
Fans took to Reddit to discuss this detail. One user wrote, “So the poor boy misses out because his mother is too scared to say his name is Tristan,” referencing Khloe and Thompson’s split. Another added, “I still think it’s Tristan Jr., and that’s why she isn’t saying or showing anything.” Another comment speculated, “Not that he will remember his infant years, but I would pay to see Khloe try to explain to him when he’s older why his siblings and cousins all have names on their stuff and his doesn’t.”
Kourtney’s Kids Face Paparazzi in Australia
Kourtney Kardashian’s fame meant her kids couldn’t be completely carefree during a trip to Australia with Travis Barker. The couple brought their first child, Rocky, along with Kourtney’s kids from her previous relationship with Scott Disick, Penelope and Reign. In an episode of “The Kardashians,” Kourtney stated that she avoided taking Rocky outside to protect him from paparazzi swarming Sydney.
Kourtney did take Reign and Penelope on outings, but one paparazzo followed them to the beach, causing Kourtney to cut the outing short and rush her kids into a waiting car. Another encounter with photographers occurred during a shopping trip, with Reign calling a paparazzo a “stalker” as Kourtney ushered him away.
Mason Disick’s Strained Relationship with His Mom
Kourtney Kardashian’s Australian trip with Travis Barker and her kids sparked gossip when her eldest child, Mason Disick, declined to join them. On “The Kardashians,” Kourtney expressed excitement about the trip, but Mason was uninterested despite her efforts to convince him. “Mason is home with his dad, which makes me really sad,” Kourtney confessed on the episode.
Rumors suggested that Kourtney and Mason’s relationship was strained, reaching a peak when it was revealed that Mason had moved out to live with his dad. “She is heartbroken over it. While Kourtney is giving Mason space to work through his feelings, at the end of the day, she blames Scott,” an insider dished to Life & Style.
Penelope Disick Criticized for Not Having Fun
Fans noticed that Penelope Disick appeared unhappy during a trip to Universal Studios Japan with her cousins and aunt, Kim Kardashian. A Reddit thread pointed out that Penelope looked “really sad” while waiting for a roller coaster ride. “It’s sad seeing them like that with all their privilege,” one fan remarked, according to The Sun.
Kim’s vacation photos often excluded Penelope, leading to speculation that Kim was deliberately snubbing her to get back at Kourtney. In one Instagram post, Kim’s kids were featured prominently, while Penelope appeared only in a group photo. Fans expressed concern, with one writing, “Penelope looks like she feels out of place.”
North West Faces Online Criticism
Kim Kardashian shares a TikTok account with her daughter, North West, and when they posted a video showing their matching Hello Kitty nails, some fans criticized Kim for allowing her then-nine-year-old daughter to get her nails done. “Should a 9-year-old really have these long nails?” one fan commented on Reddit. Others pointed out that North appeared to have acrylic nails, which they argued was damaging and unsafe for regular play.
North also faced criticism when Kim posted a picture of her wearing an oversized T-shirt and sunglasses with the caption “my best friend” on Instagram. Redditors raised concerns that North was missing out on a normal childhood because her mother was treating her more like a best friend than a daughter. “It’s kind of sad how much older North looks in these photos; it’s hard to believe she’s only 9,” one user wrote. Another added, “I feel so bad for kids who have parents who want to be their best friend.”
Reign Disick’s Early Struggles
When Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick ended their relationship after nine years, their youngest son, Reign Disick, was just a toddler. Kourtney admitted in a blog post that she experienced severe anxiety after the breakup. Kourtney explained in a reunion special of the family’s infamous show that Disick’s drug abuse and infidelity were too much to bear in their relationship.
Adjusting to life after the breakup was challenging for both Kourtney and Reign. Photos published by OK! showed Kourtney looking grave while taking Reign to a music class, with sources alleging initial difficulties in co-parenting. Despite the early drama, Reign seems to have adjusted well.
Saint West Competes for Kim’s Attention
Kim Kardashian’s busy schedule has led to criticism that she sometimes neglects her children in favor of her phone. During a visit to Disneyland with her son, Saint West, fans noticed Kim struggling to put her phone down, even while on rides with Saint. Fans quickly took to online forums to criticize her, with one commenting, “Would it really kill her to spend a few hours being mentally present with one of her children the whole time?”
