Kourtney Kardashian Barker, the 46-year-old reality television star, has candidly discussed her journey into motherhood, admitting she felt profoundly unprepared when she first became a parent. Barker, who was the first member of the Kardashian-Jenner family to have children, welcomed her son Mason with then-partner Scott Disick back in 2009.
Navigating Motherhood Without a Manual
Reflecting on that time during a confessional on the latest episode of The Kardashians, Barker revealed that even at the age of 30, she entered parenthood feeling lost. "Nobody told me what to do," she admitted. Despite not reading any parenting books before Mason's birth, she explained that her natural maternal instinct led her towards an attachment parenting style.
"I didn't read any books, but the way that I felt, my maternal instinct, was to do attachment parenting," Barker said. Her approach became more deliberate before the birth of her daughter, Penelope, now 13. "Before I had Penelope though, I read the attachment parenting book and it was more intentional," she added.
Work, Wealth, and Evolving Choices
The Lemme co-founder also touched on her professional life during her early years as a mother. She continued working through her first pregnancy and immediately afterwards because she "didn't really think it was an option to not work." Her perspective has since shifted with her success and marriage to Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker.
"Now, I have the option not to work, and I feel grateful to be able to find what I connect to," Barker noted, highlighting a significant change in her personal and financial freedom.
Co-Parenting Clash: The Schooling Debate
Barker's parenting philosophy remains a point of contention with her ex-partner and father of her three eldest children, Scott Disick. The conflict came to a head earlier this year when Barker questioned traditional education on her sister Khloé's podcast, Khloé in Wonder Land.
Barker exclaimed, "Why do kids f***ing go to school?" describing the practice as "dated" compared to homeschooling. This viewpoint has reportedly caused serious friction with Disick, who values formal education.
An insider exclusively told DailyMail.com in May, "Scott strongly disagrees with Kourtney's parenting style and finds her comments irresponsible." The source added, "Scott values hard work and sees school as essential and would never allow his kids to not attend. He feels Kourtney has changed and will have his children homeschooled over his dead body."
This disagreement is particularly ironic given their own educational backgrounds: Disick dropped out of the private Ross School in Long Island, while Barker holds a bachelor's degree in theatre arts from the University of Arizona.
The family dynamics continue to evolve. December 14 will mark Mason's 16th birthday and his brother Reign's 11th birthday. Meanwhile, Disick recently revealed on the show that he considered moving to New York City to be closer to a new girlfriend but was persuaded to stay by his eldest son, Mason.
Barker, now married to Travis Barker for three years, is also mother to their two-year-old son, Rocky. Travis has three older children from his previous marriage to Shanna Moakler. Despite the past turbulence and ongoing disagreements, Barker and Disick remain focused on co-parenting their growing family amidst the relentless public spotlight.
