Dax Shepard Reveals Why He And Kristen Bell Let Their Kids 'Talk Back' And Show 'No Kind Of Respect'

For most parents, hearing that friends think their kids act with ‘no respect’ might be embarrassing or even concerning. But for Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell, it’s actually something they take as a positive sign that their parenting approach is working just as they hoped.

Shepard, who went from his Punk’d and Parenthood fame to running one of the most popular podcasts today, shared this insight during a recent episode of his hit show, Armchair Expert.

On the podcast, Shepard has had casual and often candid conversations with some of the biggest names in entertainment and politics, from Will Ferrell to Barack Obama. His open discussions about family life have become as much a part of the show’s charm as its celebrity interviews.

Recently, the couple’s relationship made headlines after Kristen Bell marked their 12th wedding anniversary with a tongue-in-cheek post referencing Shepard’s dark humor—sharing that he had once joked, “I would never kill you,” which stirred debate given it was Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

In his newest podcast episode, the 50-year-old father of two opened up about their parenting philosophy after a friend who joined them for a meal in Nashville commented on how their daughters spoke to them. The kids’ direct and outspoken tone surprised the friend, who didn’t expect that kind of behavior at the table.

Shepard—who shares daughters Lincoln, 12, and Delta, 10, with Bell—recalled the moment, saying: "She said it very kindly, but she's basically like, they're kind of shook with how our daughters will talk back to us or to anybody because it's very un-Southern, right?"

Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell tied the knot in 2013 after dating for years Maya Dehlin Spach/WireImage

Their friend apparently didn’t hold back her opinion, questioning why the girls seemed so comfortable speaking so bluntly to their parents. Shepard explained further: "And she's like, yeah, your kids will let it rip. They seem to have no kind of respect is what she was saying. And feeling a little entitled."

Even though he understood the concern, Shepard said he and Bell intentionally encourage their daughters to express themselves openly, even if it means challenging authority sometimes. For him, raising strong, confident girls matters more than teaching them to be polite at all costs.

He admitted that being talked back to in public can be uncomfortable, but he’s willing to deal with it if it helps his daughters grow into assertive, self-assured women who can stand their ground in a tough world.

The couple share two children together Instagram/@kristenanniebell

"I can handle that because I want this other thing for them as women," he added, making it clear that for him, confidence and self-expression are far more important lessons than blind obedience.

This isn’t the first time Shepard has spoken candidly about his unconventional family life. Over the years, he and Bell have shared several details about their home dynamics, often showing that they approach parenting with humor and honesty.

Back in a July episode of his podcast, Shepard revealed another surprising detail about their household rules when it comes to language, admitting: "I fully swear in front of my kids."

"They are allowed to swear, not with impunity, but when it's called for and they land it. And it's in the house and not out at a restaurant, it's okay."