The Greatest Lesson Kevin Costner Learned from Being a Dad
Fatherhood has the power to transform a man completely. Kids absorb everything from their parents—the good and the bad—and those influences shape who they become. That’s why setting a positive example is more important than ever. Kevin Costner understands this deeply. As a father of seven, each child on their own unique path, he knows the importance of connecting with each of them in a way that suits their individuality.
Recently, the 70-year-old actor spoke while promoting his partnership with Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, sharing the most important lesson he’s learned raising all seven children. The key? Recognizing that no two kids are the same. Everyone has their own personality—even himself. So, parenting requires patience, precision, and the willingness to adapt in order to meet their distinct needs.
“You love them all equally, but they’re all different, so you find ways to show that without treating them the same,” Costner explains. “You have to take their differences into account. If you’re not getting through one way, it’s up to you to change—maybe how you communicate, maybe your approach. You have to adjust to their individuality.”
Among his seven children, three—Annie, Lily, and Joe—are adults. His son Liam is from a previous relationship with Bridget Rooney, while teenagers Cayden, Hayes, and Grace are with his ex-wife Christine Baumgartner. Coordinating everyone’s busy schedules isn’t always easy, but spending time together remains a priority. “It’s more sporadic now,” Costner admits. “Trying to get them all in one place at the same time is tough as everyone follows their own path.”
