Miranda Kerr Reveals Her Secrets to Raising Four Kids Aged 2 to 15

Australian model Miranda Kerr has opened up about the dynamics of raising her four children, who span ages 2 to 15. In an interview on the Big Talk podcast, she said her two middle sons, Hart (8) and Myles (6), often serve as a kind of 'built-in playdate' because of their close age gap. Her remarks come amid growing public discussion about the challenges of raising children with a wide age range, especially among young urban families.

Kerr has Flynn (15) from her marriage to actor Orlando Bloom, as well as Hart, Myles, and Pierre (2) from her marriage to Snap Inc. CEO Evan Spiegel. She admits she is very busy but feels grateful that her two middle children can entertain each other. "Ninety-five percent of the time, my 6- and 8-year-old are built-in playmates, so that's pretty fun," she said. However, she also acknowledged there are rough moments typical of boys, such as when her 6-year-old put his younger brother in a headlock.

Family psychologist from the University of Indonesia, Dra. Ratna Juwita, M.Psi., assesses that close age gaps between siblings can indeed be a natural source of social support. "Children who are close in age tend to develop social skills faster because of the intensity of daily interaction. However, parents still need to be alert to the potential for physical conflict, especially with active boys," she explained. She added that the parents' role is to ensure such interactions remain within safe and educational bounds.

In addition, Kerr and Spiegel actively teach their children the value of generosity. "We feel very fortunate and believe that when you are in a position to help, you should. We try to teach that at home," she said. They encourage their children to care about schoolmates or their community, simply to make others feel valued. According to Kerr, these philanthropic activities serve as a concrete way to learn empathy.

At the dinner table, the Kerr family has a 'thorn, bud, and rose' tradition—discussing the hardest part, something to look forward to, and the best moment of the day. This practice, according to family communication experts, is effective for building children's openness. Kerr also follows her therapist's advice to set aside 20 minutes specifically for each child, following each one's interests. "It helps a child feel seen as an individual," she said.

"Boys can be very physical. They want to wrestle. They all have different contributions," Kerr said.

For readers in Indonesia, Kerr's story is relevant to the reality of modern families who often face the dilemma between career and caregiving. Data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) 2023 shows that about 25% of urban families have children with an age range of more than 10 years, potentially facing similar challenges. The concept of a 'built-in playdate' and dedicated time allocation can be an inspiration, though it needs to be adapted to local socio-economic conditions.

Looking ahead, the question is how this kind of mindful parenting can be widely adopted, especially amid the busy schedules of working parents. Will the model Kerr applies become a new standard, or remain exclusive to those with resources? What is clear is that the discussion about quality parenting will continue to evolve along with changes in global family structures.