Robert De Niro's Top Parenting Tip: Support Your Kids, No Matter What!

ROBERT DE NIRO REVEALS THE SECRET TO RAISING SUCCESSFUL KIDS

The 81-year-old Hollywood legend, Robert De Niro, has been sharing his wisdom on parenting with Entertainment Tonight, and let's just say it's a game-changer! With seven kids under his belt (yes, you read that right - SEVEN!), the seasoned parent has learned a thing or two about what makes for effective child-rearing.

And according to De Niro, the key is... SUPPORT. Yes, you heard that right - support. Not discipline, not punishment, but pure and simple support. "The main thing is to support your kids," he revealed in his interview with ET. "As long as they're not hurting themselves, doing anything destructive or anything like that, you have to support them - period."

But what exactly does supporting your kids mean? According to De Niro, it means being there for them, no matter what. Even if you don't agree with their choices or decisions, you've got to be there to offer a listening ear and a comforting presence. "Even if you don't go with it or think that they... you have to support them," he emphasized. "And they have to know that you support them. Always."

De Niro's words of wisdom come at a time when his family is growing, too! In April 2023, the actor welcomed his youngest child, Gia (just two years old!), with his girlfriend, Tiffany Chen. And let's just say De Niro is absolutely besotted with his little bundle of joy. "She's just pure joy," he gushed to Entertainment Tonight. "Pure joy."

But having a new baby doesn't mean De Niro has become a hands-on dad in the classical sense. No, no! The actor has been quite open about not changing diapers (or doing any other heavy lifting for that matter). "I spend my mornings watching Miss Rachel with her, and I give her her bottle," he revealed to Sunday Times in January. And as for help? Well, let's just say De Niro and Chen have got it covered - they've got a whole team of nannies and caregivers on hand to take care of the little one.

And if you're wondering how De Niro has managed to juggle his large family (seven kids, remember?), well, the answer is simple: experience. "I have certain awareness," he explained to Hoda Kotb on The Today Show in 2023. "When you're older, you have awareness of certain things in life... family dynamics." Ah, the wisdom of age!

But despite his many years of parenting experience (he's been doing this for over four decades now!), De Niro still can't help but admit that having kids is a bit of a challenge. "[Having children] doesn't get easier," he told The Guardian in October 2023. "It is what it is." And we're guessing that means his partner, Tiffany Chen, does most of the heavy lifting (no pun intended!).

So there you have it - Robert De Niro's secret to raising successful kids: support. Simple, yet effective. Who knew?