The country star says he is trying his best to raise his kids right
Jason Aldean, a father of four, recently offered a glimpse into his parenting philosophy during an interview with Audacy’s Rob + Holly. The country star, 47, who has spent the majority of his life in the spotlight, reflected on the balance of raising his children while allowing them the freedom to forge their own paths in life.
“I think you just sort of raise your kids right, or try to do it the best how and instill certain things in ’em and you got to let ’em chase what they’re going to chase,” he shared, later adding, “You know what I mean?”
Aldean admits it would only be natural for one (or more) of his children to be drawn to the music industry.
Navy, Kendyl, Memphis; Photo via Instagram
“Obviously, with me being in the music business, it’s going to be something they’re going to grow up around their whole life,” he pointed out. “I mean, I wouldn’t be shocked if they wanted to do something in the music business. It wouldn’t be that shocking to me.”
The ACM Artist of the Decade went on to share that he will support his kids, no matter what path they choose, whether it involves music or not. He has no plans to persuade them into anything.
“I feel like just kind of let them figure it out. If they want to be a doctor, that’s cool too. If they want to open up a flower shop, I don’t care. As long as they’re happy and it’s what they want to do, I really don’t care.”
Aldean’s laid-back approach goes for all of his kids, including Keeley and Kendyl from his previous marriage, and Memphis and Navy, from his marriage to Brittany Aldean.
Jason Aldean, Kendyl, Brittany, Memphis; Photo via Instagram
The Georiga native has been vocal about his approach to parenting, even through his music, most notably his recent radio single, “Let Your Boys Be Country.” Aldean says he cut the song specifically for his only son, Memphis, and was inspired to do so by the current ways of the world.
“The world’s nuts right now. I just kind of think about him and what this looks like for him as an adult and just as his dad, it’s my job to raise him up and get him prepared to be able to be a man and deal with whatever it is that he’s going to have to deal with,” Aldean explained. “But right now I just want him to focus on being a kid and just not worrying about anything and just doing what kids do and just prepare ’em for what’s to come later in life.”
While he admits that things were probably crazy when he was a kid too, Aldean hopes to navigate life with his kids similar to the way his parents did with him.
“I’m sure there were things that were crazy when I was a kid or whatever, and I’m sure my parents were talking about how crazy the world was back then too. It just seems like now it actually is really crazy,” he said. “But I think my parents did a great job of the same thing, just sort of letting me do my thing and be a kid. And we didn’t sit in there every night and watch the news so I could see what was going on in the world and the country was in war or whatever was going on. I was focusing on hanging out with my friends and playing baseball, playing sports or doing whatever.”
Jason Aldean is currently on the road on the latest leg of his HIghway Desperado Tour. His wife, Brittany, and youngest children, often join him on tour.