Ryan Reynolds Got Real About Modern Parenting And Said He’s “So Soft” In Comparison To His “Nuts” Upbringing

In addition to being movie stars, Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively are proud parents to four children together: daughters James, 9, Inez, 7, and Betty, 4, and 1-year-old son Olin.

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds on the red carpet, Blake in an elegant off-shoulder gown, Ryan in a classic suit, attending the "Deadpool & W.Origins" event
Taylor Hill / WireImage

Though Blake and Ryan are super private about their kids, the couple — who’ve been married since 2012 — don’t shy away from discussing the realities of parenthood.

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds pose together, smiling, with ornate floral decorations in the background. Blake is in a sparkling dress, and Ryan wears a suit
Cindy Ord / Getty Images

Most recently, while speaking at HubSpot’s INBOUND tech conference in Boston, Ryan talked about parenting and communication and hailed the benefits of being “soft” with his kids.

Ryan Reynolds speaks animatedly while seated on a stage, wearing glasses, a dark casual shirt, and pants, gesturing with his hands
Eugene Gologursky / Getty Images for Fast Company

“I took a workshop on conflict resolution, and that changed my entire life,” he recalled onstage at the event, admitting that his “scarcity mindset” previously made it hard for him to process his feelings.

Ryan Reynolds at the "Deadpool 3" premiere, wearing a black suit with a white shirt, standing in front of the movie's promotional backdrop

Relating this to his experience as a dad, Ryan said his and Blake’s children haven’t grown up with the same “scarcity mindset” because he’s implemented a more gentle approach to fatherhood, aided by his ability to understand his emotions better.

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds pose together on the red carpet. Blake wears a strapless, embellished gown; Ryan wears a suit with a floral boutonniere

“I have four kids, and so far, none of them seem to have that [scarcity mindset], partly because they were born on ‘Easy Street,’” he joked.

Cindy Ord / Getty Images

He noted that this approach is far more common among modern parents and totally differs from how he was raised.

Ryan Reynolds on the red carpet wearing a dark suit jacket and white shirt, in front of a backdrop featuring the logos of Jack in the Box and Heineken

Back in June, Ryan discussed the importance of being honest with your kids about your struggles, as well as your successes.

Ryan Reynolds speaks into a microphone at San Diego Comic-Con, wearing a casual button-up shirt. Comic-Con banners are visible in the background

More on this