Kristen Bell & Dax Shepard: Our Daughters Know Daddy Is An Addict

Fatima Araos
Closeup of Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell
Getty | Joe Scarnici

Kristen Bell is giving fans another peek into her and her husband Dax Shepard’s unique parenting style.

They Have Raised Eyebrows With Their Style Of Parenting

Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard posing together
Flickr | cengnews0

The 42-year-old Bad Moms star and the Armchair Expert host, 48, have always been open about their sometimes-controversial ways of raising their two daughters, Lincoln and Delta.

We Don't Keep Secrets In This House

In an interview with Real Simple, Bell made a new revelation: they don’t keep secrets from the girls, even those regarding Shepard’s addiction to drugs.

'Daddy Is An Addict'

Dax Shepard speaking into a mic
Flickr | canburak

“I talk to my kids about drugs, and the fact that their daddy is an addict and he’s in recovery, and we talk about sex,” she said.

She Likes No-Holds-Barred Discussions

Closeup of Kristen Bell
Flickr | ricardomora80

The Veronica Mars alum also said she hates the word “taboo” and thinks “it should be stricken from the dictionary.”

Controversial, Maybe, But It Works

Kristen Bell posing on the red carpet
Flickr | dm2224

“There should be no topic that’s off the table for people to talk about,” she continued. Other parents might not agree with their style, but she said it works for their family.

Shepard's Drug History

Dax Shepard pushing a shopping cart
Flickr | alsfakia

Shepard had previously battled alcohol and drug addiction, including cocaine and opioids, before seeking help in 2004.

Sobriety And Relapse

He was sober for 16 years but relapsed in 2020.

ATV Accident

He said he started abusing drugs again after an ATV accident left him with a lot of broken bones. He had a prescription for them, but before he knew it, he was taking way more than he was allowed to.

Coming Clean

Closeup of Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard
Flickr | cengnews0

He eventually came clean to his wife and sought help.

It's Important To Make Amends

Closeup of Kristen Bell
Flickr | dm2224

In her interview, Bell said the ability to apologize and make amends was important to their family, and it got them through that episode.

'Humans Leave Carnage'

Kristen Bell in a black dress
Flickr | dm2224

“[H]umans leave carnage wherever they go,” she explained, and that is why she respects anyone who knows how to apologize when they’ve done something wrong or hurt others.

She Wants To Teach Her Daughters The Ability To Apologize

The Frozen star also shared that it’s something she wishes her daughters, who are nine and eight, would learn to master.

Why It's Important

“If there’s one thing I want to teach my kids, it’s how to make amends — and that it’s for themselves, so they can like who’s in the mirror a little bit more,” she explained.

They're Also Candid About Sex

Shepard’s addiction isn’t the only difficult topic they discuss with their kids. The couple has previously revealed that they’re transparent about sex because they want to teach their daughters about consent.