Celebrity comments about parenting are really hit-or-miss right now. Let's get real. No amount of money can make your kids less pesty, especially when you're all cooped up in the house together. That said, it's hard for your average Joe to feel bad for a celebrity cooped up in a palatial estate while Joe's own kids are bouncing off the walls of the same two-bedroom house they always do.
Justin Timberlake is the latest celebrity parent to attempt commiserating about the struggles of being stuck home with the kids. He and wife Jessica Biel have just one child, 5-year-old Silas.
The family of three is currently hunkered down at their Montana home. It's not just any home, mind you. It's part of the Yellowstone Club, a private real estate development that includes a private ski resort. Among their neighbors is none other than Bill Gates. You get the picture.
It's for all these reasons that Justin's recent comments about "24-hour parenting" enraged the average parent, who thought it to be tone-deaf.
Justin Timberlake has spent a lot of his time at home talking to the press. The 39-year-old is one of the stars of Trolls World Tour, which enjoyed an at-home release as movie theater closures continue. Justin appeared on costar Kelly Clarkson's talk show, The Kelly Clarkson Show.
Justin appeared on the Friday, April 10, episode of the show. He talked about son Silas' fifth birthday, which they had recently celebrated. There, he admitted that he and wife Jessica Biel "didn’t do a lot."
"I feel lucky that he’s still so young," Justin said of his little one's stay-at-home birthday.
"There’s Legos. I have no shame in my game saying that we optioned some free Trolls merch," he joked.
Anna Kendrick, another costar, called him out for not buying Trolls toys for Silas. "I didn’t make it to the Lego aisle in time, I don’t know what to tell you," Justin replied. "It's hard out here for a parent."
Justin and Jessica did get Silas one gift he's sure to love. "We actually got a little — we went a little all out — we bought him his own bouncy house," Justin revealed.
"I Lysoled that thing down, I’m not gonna lie to you. Then I jumped until I couldn’t jump anymore with him."
However, it's Justin's comments on SiriusXM radio show Hits 1 that caused a stir. When he appeared on the show on April 9, he was asked how he and Jessica were handling staying at home with their son.
"We’re mostly commiserating over the fact that just 24-hour parenting is just not human," Justin replied.
He continued by saying Silas is also sick of hanging out with his parents. "He gets a look," Justin explained.
"I’m like, ‘Alright, cool, let’s take a 20. Alright, I got you.' You know what I mean? Just a commercial break."
The comments were quite polarizing as they spread. Some people understood where Justin was coming from.
"There's a reason people say it takes a village. Parenting is HARD. And it's like no other job. It's 24/7 and so important. It's much easier with family and friend support (play dates, time with family, etc)."
Now, that's understandable to a degree. We all love our children more than anything. That said, most of us are about a month in and can agree this is difficult. However, as many people pointed out, there are plenty of people who are 24-hour parents regardless of what's going on in the world at large.
There are also frontline workers who would kill to be able to have time to be around their families right now. Their families would be grateful to not have to worry about what could happen to them while they do their essential jobs. The feeling was largely that the comments were tone-deaf.
Many also pointed to how this was extra ridiculous considering Justin and family are self-isolating at their Montana home. Not only do they live in a private real estate development with neighbors like Bill Gates, but Justin also has acres to explore with his wife and kid. There are so many privileges people felt he was taking for granted.
He did try to backtrack and clarify he was aware of his blessings. "We feel very lucky and kind of blessed that we’re in a place where — they’re pretty socially distant here anyway where our place is," he said.
"I mean, just being able to kind of walk out into your driveway and maybe go for a little hike is always nice."
Justin and Jessica have made a point of giving back. She shared the news as part of a birthday post celebrating Silas.
"This little man is 5 today! We’re at home, covered in legos and birthday cake right now… but I just found this pic on my phone from last summer and it made me so happy. To celebrate his big birthday, we’re supporting @savethechildren and @feedingamerica, who are doing so much good work to keep kids and families healthy and fed during this time ❤️."
