We can’t help but like Alicia Silverstone. She became famous because of her appearance in the 1995 classic Clueless, and she’s stayed in the spotlight ever since. But did you know that, in addition to being an actor, she’s also a mother and the author of parenting books? In 2011, she gave birth to her son Bear Blu Jarecki. Alicia has fought against the idea of “normal” parenting since becoming a mother.
She also understands that some people think she’s “weird” for the way she raises her child, but she’s fine with it because she believes her alternative parenting practices work for her and her family. So, what exactly is Alicia Silverstone’s parenting style, and why is it causing such a stir?
Alicia Believes That Junk Food Causes Postpartum Depression
Alicia believes that individuals who follow her parenting recommendations are less likely to suffer from postpartum depression.
Mothers who avoid junk food and processed sweets are less likely to develop postpartum depression. “Some women experience the blues after giving birth,” she wrote, “though it’s less prevalent among kind mothers.” Simply avoid specific meals, such as processed sweets, which make us feel unbalanced, if you want to avoid terrible postpartum depression.”
The Actress Doesn’t Give Her Son Any Modern Medicine
Alicia Silverstone isn’t a believer in contemporary medicine. She’s the co-founder of a vegan, organic, vitamin line and supplement, and she prefers to keep her home as natural as possible. This includes her kid, who, she admitted in 2002, has “never needed any form of medical assistance” and has “never taken antibiotics in his life.”
Bear is said to be “such a model of health” who rarely gets sick. “He can get sniffles and a running nose,” Alicia explained, “but he’s not depressed, he still goes to school. He has only said, ‘I don’t feel well,’ twice in his life.”
The Actress Doesn’t Let Her Child Conform to Gender Norms
Alicia’s Instagram comments section has been flooded with messages from strangers advising her to cut her son’s hair throughout the years. Many people told her that Bear didn’t appear like a boy and that he looked girlish. Alicia was irritated by these remarks, and in September 2020, she expressed her own feelings on Bear’s locks.
“He’s lovely, and we adore his hair!” she wrote. We would never impose any social standards on how a boy or a girl’s hair should be styled. We should all attempt to accept our children for who they are and not pass judgment on them.”
Alicia Still Takes Baths With Her 10-Year-Old Son
When children are newborns or toddlers, it is not uncommon for parents to join them in the bath. However, in May 2020, Alicia Silverstone raised eyebrows when she told The New York Times that she still bathed with her kid. At the moment, he was nine years old.
“My son and I take baths together, and when he’s not with me, I take a bath, and it truly feels nourishing and comfortable,” she told the outlet. Her remarks generated outrage throughout the world, with many readers believing that her youngster was far too mature to be bathing with his mother.
She Doesn’t Use Any Form of Discipline on Her Child
Many parents use various sorts of discipline to keep their children in line. Alicia Silverstone, however, doesn’t believe it is conducive to a happy and healthy child. As a result, she never uses any type of discipline on Bear and has never had any issues with his conduct.
Alicia shared that she has never felt comfortable with harsh treatment. “All I have to say is, ‘Oh, Bear, no thank you.’ We can only talk like this because he isn’t insane. They don’t act nice when they don’t feel good, when they eat unhealthy food, and when they don’t feel good.
Alicia Doesn’t Believe in the ”Cry It Out” Method
A parent’s heart can be broken by a crying child. Many people feel compelled to see their infant in order to soothe and calm them down, but they frequently stop themselves. Instead, they let their children “cry it out” so that they learn to self-soothe.
Alicia doesn’t believe in allowing your child to cry incessantly until they cease. “You’re damaging your parent-child bond if you let your kids scream it out,” she says. As a result, the baby misses out on the key trust-building phase of newborn development.” When Bear was younger, she would rush to him whenever he cried.
The Actress Won’t Let Any Animal Product in Their House
It is public knowledge that Alicia Silverstone is a vegan. Her reasons for being vegan are largely ethical – but she also believes that a plant-based living is the healthiest lifestyle you can have as an animal rights and environmental champion. That’s why Bear, who is ten years old, has been a vegan since infancy.
Over the years, the young boy’s completely vegan diet has drawn criticism, with many claiming that vegan diets are unhealthy for developing children. Alicia, on the other hand, does not agree. Bear enjoys being vegan, according to the actress, and “he’s not missing out on anything.”
The Actress Maintains a Mostly Tech-Free Home
Young children nowadays have phones, video game consoles, tablets, and many other technological devices. While this may work for some families, Alicia has stated that she does not want her son to spend too much time in front of the television. She actually keeps her house mostly tech-free so that they can stay present at all times.
“Bear and I have never experienced boredom,” she said. There’s no media when he comes to my house. We’ll watch a movie once a week as a nice treat, but he’s not using any electronics or iPads; he’s just hanging out with me.”
She Believes That Vaccinations Can Have Harmful Effects
Celebrities rarely express their take on vaccinations due to fear of being canceled. Alicia, nevertheless, has made her feelings known. She authored a whole parenting book and has claimed that she feels vaccinations can be detrimental. Bear hasn’t had immunizations.
“There hasn’t been a conclusive examination of the detrimental impacts of such a strict regimen,” Alicia wrote in her book. There’s anecdotal evidence from doctors who have received panicked phone calls from parents who claim their child was “never the same” after receiving a vaccination. And I have acquaintances whose babies have been severely harmed as a result of this.”
Alicia Believes It’s Neglectful to Have a Baby Sleep in a Crib
Co-sleeping is as straightforward as it sounds. It is the practice of young children and their parents sharing a bed, but it’s become contentious over time. Alicia, however, is all for it, despite the fact that many people believe it is incredibly harmful. In fact, she considers anything else to be straight neglect.
Alicia is a big proponent of co-sleeping, saying that putting a kid in a crib is like putting them in a “barred-in box.” She has said that it is “tantamount to child neglect,” because she feels that parents and their children should be together at all times.
The Actress Is a Firm Believer in Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding has long been recommended. The actress is a firm believer in breastfeeding and considers it to be a critical period in her baby’s development.
While Alicia recognizes that public breastfeeding can be frowned upon, she believes that “there’s no reason why they shouldn’t be able to give their babies the most fantastic start in life with clean, pure, glorious breastmilk. I believe we help support those moms and babies who need a hand during one of the most critical times in their life because we are a community of lovely people who know the importance of food as health.”
Alicia Won’t Allow Diapers in Her House – Disposable or Not
Alicia Silverstone is a firm believer in the parenting approaches she espouses, and one of her most divisive decisions is her refusal to let diapers into her home. She refuses to use either disposable or environmentally friendly reusable diapers, claiming that the entire notion is “driven by corporate-backed pseudoscience.”
But, Alicia doesn’t believe diapers are necessary. She believes that babies are “far happier leaving their business in the grass than having to sleep and eat while being surrounded by their own urine and excrement.” As you can expect, her supporters and detractors have had a lot to say about it.
The Actress Is All About the Elimination Method for Toilet Training
It might take years to successfully toilet train your child, and most parents prefer to go at their own pace. Alicia, of course, doesn’t follow typical parenting guidelines, which is why she used the Elimination Method to toilet train her son. Silverstone claims he was totally toilet trained at the age of six months.
It is all about communicating and learning to read your baby’s cues with the Elimination Method. The goal is to tune into your baby’s cues for when they need to go potty, so you can hold them over the potty instead of letting them soil themselves.
Alicia Outright Refused to Use a Stroller for Her Baby
If you look for an image of Alicia Silverstone pushing a stroller on the internet, you will not find one. That is because Alicia doesn’t agree with them, and when Bear was a newborn, she flatly refused to use one. Strollers, in her opinion, merely create a separation between the parent and the child.
Alicia, an attachment parenting advocate, believes that skin-to-skin contact is one of the most crucial things that parents and children can have. This is said to strengthen relationships and form attachments, which is why she would always hold Bear in her arms or wear a sling.
She’s Teaching Her Son to Question Everything People Tell Him
Alicia Silverstone has created a name for herself as someone who goes against the grain, and it appears that she’s instilling the same trait in her son Bear. She says she’s warned him “do not believe what they tell you” and that “he is learning to really question everything.”
Alicia wants her kid to “question things, think about things, look at things through a magnifying glass, and try to establish peace for everyone.” His father, on the other hand, lives in a very different way, so he gets to see everything. He has the freedom to be anyone he wants.
She Won’t Allow Any Dairy Products in Her Home
While many parents offer their children a glass of milk before bed or ice cream as a reward, however, Bear has never consumed dairy products. Because Alicia feels that dairy is extremely poisonous and should be avoided at all costs, she won’t allow any dairy products into her home.
The actress believes that her son’s health and happiness are proof that children don’t need to eat dairy to flourish, but her remarks have sparked much debate. Many people worry if Bear will continue to live in this manner when he is older and no longer bound by his mother’s regulations.
Alicia Believes a Healthy Lifestyle Results in Good Behavior
Alicia Silverstone maintains a healthy lifestyle, which she has handed down to her son by eating a plant-based diet and practicing yoga on a regular basis. This healthy lifestyle, she believes, is what keeps her baby Bear so peaceful. “He didn’t suffer through terrible twos or terrible threes because of the healthy lifestyle that we live,” she told People in January 2020.
Maintaining this good behavior, in her opinion, requires a healthy lifestyle. “The meal I prepare for us helps us to stay calm and focused. That’s my parenting tool. I am really patient when I eat and sleep well.“
She Makes Sure to Spend as Much Time With Her Son as Possible
Although Alicia has her particular guidelines for raising her son, many of her views are based on attachment parenting theories. The fundamental goal is to create an irreplaceable link between parent and kid, which Alicia does by spending as much time as possible with her son.
Critics believe that spending too much time together can be suffocating, but Alicia disagrees. “It is not like I’m spoiling him. It’s just that you want to take someone in and absorb them up when you love them. And many of us were unaware of this. I pay attention if he begins to cry.”
Alicia Is All About Immersing Herself and Her Son in Nature’s Beauty
Alicia, while coming from a life of luxury, has grown to respect the natural environment as she has grown older. She’s fascinated not just by the life of animals, but also by the wonders of the world. As a result, she brings her son out to enjoy what nature has to offer on a regular basis.
When most of the globe was shut down by the pandemic, Alicia talked about what they used to do when they were allowed to leave the house. “We would go on nature hikes and cook,” she said. Whatever happens, we will always be together.”
She’s Teaching Her Son to Be as Eco-Friendly as Possible
In today’s world, more than ever parents are choosing to raise their children in an environmentally conscious manner. Alicia Silverstone not only drives an electric car and eats vegan, but she also has solar panels and grows her own organic fruits and vegetables.
“In terms of teaching him about the world, about animals, and about being a decent citizen, I think he just is,” the actress said. He interacts with animals by talking to birds and hugging cows. He has had that kind of experience with animals, so it is only natural that he does not want to injure them.”
Alicia Believes That Communicative Co-Parenting Is Crucial
With her former husband, musician Christopher Jarecki, Alicia welcomed Bear. They’ve been dating since 1997, married in 2005, and welcomed their only child in 2011. However, the couple divorced in 2018, and their divorce was formalized a few months later, causing chaos in their household. Regardless of their split, the couple successfully co-parent their son.
For the sake of their children, Alicia feels that parents must try extra hard to co-parent. “We’re really wonderful at co-parenting with each other,” she admitted regarding her present relationship with Jalecki. Unless I’m gone shooting something and can’t see him, we both see Bear.”
Alicia Isn’t in Charge… Her Son Is
Alicia sees Bear as a tiny adult, so she ensures that he’s in charge of every decision he makes. This was evident in November 2020, when Bear opted to trim his lengthy hair. Alicia, in fact, was heartbroken.
“I miss his hair!!!!!” she captioned a video of the haircut. Was it he who made the decision? Yes. Did I cry as I watched him get his hair cut? Maybe… but did I make any attempt to stop him? No! He simply wanted to try something different. I have a feeling he’ll go back to his long hair at some point.”
The Actress Gets Consent From Her Son to Share Him on Social Media
Alicia Silverstone is a celebrity mom, but she doesn’t believe herself to be one. She simply sees herself as a proud mother who enjoys brag-worthy photos of her son on social media – but she is careful about what she shares. Alicia has begun to ask her kid if she can share his images and videos online as he has grown older.
The actress isn’t one to hold back when it comes to sharing her life and parenting journey with her fans on social media. Her open connection with her son, on the other hand, has raised a lot of eyebrows.
Alicia Is of the Opinion That Feminine Products Cause Infertility
Alicia Silverstone has stated that she would love to have another child at some point in her life, despite the fact that she is quite happy with her one child. However, when it comes to potential mothers, she has some divisive views. Female hygiene products, she believes, can actually cause infertility in women.
“Unfortunately, feminine-care makers aren’t allowed to tell you what’s in their products,” she says, “which means no one is talking about the probable pesticide residues from non-organic cotton and the ‘fragrances’ containing hormone-upsetting, fertility-knocking phthalates.” Alicia believes that plant-based and sugar-free diets can help women get pregnant.
You Won’t Find Any Bananas in Alicia Silverstone’s House
We already know that Bear Blu is one of the healthiest kids on the planet when it comes to his dietary habits. He eats only plant-based foods and no processed foods, and he enjoys fruit as a sugary snack in the same way that other kids like candy. Alicia, on the other hand, has one fruit that she dislikes in her home.
Bananas have been termed a “naughty treat” by the actress, although it is unclear why she dislikes this particular fruit. What we do know is that she rarely allows Bear to eat bananas and avoids purchasing them completely.
The Actress Isn’t Against Kissing Her Son on the Lips
Celebrity parents like David and Victoria Beckham have been chastised for kissing their children on the lips. However, Alicia is a great believer in providing attention to your child regardless of their age, and she has admitted that her son still kisses her on the lips.
In fact, Alicia mentioned in 2018 that Bear had seen Clueless for the first time and had a particular reaction to it. “The one thing he took away from [viewing Clueless], aside from all the stuff I was worried about, was that he kept trying to French kiss me afterward, which was extremely lovely.”
She’s All About Taking Those Placenta Pills
Alicia Silverstone’s mind was opened up to a whole new universe after giving birth to Bear Blu back in 2011. She did a lot of study on natural parenting methods, and she was especially excited about the prospect of eating her own placenta. So she had her placenta made into tablets, despite the fact that the CDC states that there are no measurable benefits and that they should be avoided.
Alicia, on the other hand, thought they were revolutionary, and she dubbed them her “happy pills.” And I was heartbroken when they were gone. It was quite beneficial to me.”
The Actress Won’t Buy Her Son Any Fast Fashion Clothes
As someone who cares about the environment and wants to leave as little of a footprint as possible, Alicia takes every effort to live an environmentally friendly life. This is passed down to her son, as the actress refuses to purchase him fast fashion. She exclusively buys clothes that are environmentally friendly.
Aside from that, she enjoys upcycling and recycling old clothes. She not only swapped clothes with other parents when Bear was a newborn, but as he’s gotten older, she’s focused on getting robust, long-lasting garments. If they don’t, and his jeans rip, she’ll turn them into cut-off shorts!
Alicia Rejects the Claim That Vegan Children Are ”Weak”
Despite receiving backlash for her views on the subject, Alicia will always support the idea that all children should be reared vegan. She’s raised Bear as a vegan child since the day he was born, and she completely debunks the myth that vegan children are “weak” and deficient in key nutrients.
Alicia even makes a joke about it. “I often chuckle, like, ‘Oh, my poor vegan baby, he’s so frail,’ because he’s leaping all over the place and he’s so wild,” she told Us Weekly. He does, however, have a calm and concentrated demeanor. He’s not out of this world.”
She Loves the Fact That Her Son Doesn’t Want to Be an Actor
Many celebrity offspring follow in their parents’ footsteps and become actors, and it’s not uncommon for numerous generations to enter the spotlight. However, Bear Blu has made it apparent to his mother that he doesn’t want to be an actor.
Bear had “so far, no [interest]” in acting, Alicia told Us Weekly. “He’s content to do a variety of different things, so we’ll see.” But it’s not on his mind right now.” That isn’t to say that Bear doesn’t like seeing his mother work. Bear enjoys hanging out in Alicia’s trailer during takes when she takes him to her rehearsals.
Alicia Feeds Her Son Pre-Chewed Food Like a Baby Bird
It can be a challenging procedure for parents to wean their children onto solid foods. Some families are successful, while others struggle, but in the end, each family finds a solution that works for them. Pre-chewing the food in her own mouth before placing it into Bear’s mouth worked for Alicia and her kid. In 2012, she controversially published a video of herself performing this.
“I can understand why it would make some people uncomfortable, probably because it’s all new to them,” she admitted. But I’d want to point out that this has been going on for thousands of years”
Alicia Focuses on Telling Bear What He Can Do, Not What He Can’t
Alicia concentrates on what Bear is permitted to do rather than what he is not. Instead of instructing her son Bear to stop playing with the ball inside the house, she says “Balls are for outside.“Balls are for outside. Inside, you can throw the stuffed animals into the bathtub.”
She believes that by raising her son in this manner, he has learned to respect rather than hate her authority.
Alicia Believes Laughing Can Change Your Body’s Chemistry
While many people question whether what we see online is truly representative of what this actress goes through as a parent, Alicia insists that it is. There’s a reason she and her son are usually laughing together.
Alicia believes that laughter alters the chemistry of the body by enhancing bonding hormones and decreasing stress hormones. She states that laughter deepens your relationship with your child as a result of this.
Alicia Always Takes Time Out of Her Parenting Day for Herself
Despite the fact that she could spend every day with Bear, she makes sure to spend time apart from him. She constantly carves out an hour or two during her parenting day to focus on herself and put herself at the top of her priority list.
This line of reasoning implies that you can only be emotionally generous and caring to those around you if you take care of yourself.
She’s Encouraging Her Son to Volunteer in the Community
Bear has always held animals and the environment in high regard, having been raised vegan. He’s always shown them respect, and he’s frequently volunteered at animal shelters to help keep the animals safe.
“Bear has done so much activism on his own,” Alicia said. When he was young, he set up a stall at our local farmers’ market to sell oranges, then gave the money he earned to Farm Sanctuary.”
Alicia Believes That Your Body Allows You to Be a Good Parent
Alicia strives to be as natural and unorthodox as possible, and her main philosophy is that in order to be the best parent you can be, one’s body must be in good health.
“The better we fuel our bodies, the better they work,” she says. The better they work, the happier and healthier we feel. And the happier and healthier we feel, the happier and healthier our babies will be.”
She’s Started Her Own Breastmilk Sharing Initiative
She believes breastfeeding is the healthiest and most satisfying method to feed a child, but recognizes that some people are unable to do so. She’s created her own breastmilk sharing initiative as a result of this.
She started the Kind Mama Milk Share campaign, which encourages nursing mothers to share their surplus milk with others. “We are a community of beautiful souls that know the value of food as health.”
She Wants All Prospective Mamas to Avoid ”Toxic Sludge”
Alicia’s parenting book devotes a significant chunk of its content to people who want to grow their families but are having difficulty doing so. Getting pregnant and raising a healthy child, in her opinion, boils down to what you put in your body and avoiding “toxic sludge” that could jeopardize your chances of finally getting pregnant.
According to her radical view: meat, dairy, and processed meals are the “toxic sludge.”
Alicia Keeps Her Son up to Date on Her Dating Antics
Alicia Silverstone and Christopher Jarecki seem to have mastered the art of co-parenting, but Alicia is still on the lookout for another partner. She has stated that she is very open to dating other people.
When she goes on dates, she tells Bear about them in order to keep him up to date. Because the dating scene can be difficult, Alicia believes it is critical to connect with her son.
She’s Looking for a Partner That Reminds Her of Her Son
Alicia has mentioned that she’s looking for an “exceptional unicorn” in order to find the appropriate partner to enter her life.
This was discussed by her with Entertainment Tonight. “I think the main thing is wanting someone that’s really happy in their skin most of the time. My son is extraordinary, so it’s gotta be someone extraordinary to bring to play with him. I’m happy with whatever’s meant to happen.”