Let's be real—co-parenting isn't always a walk in the park, and Denise Richards knows this firsthand. The star of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, who shares her daughters Sam, 15, and Lola Rose, 13, with her ex-husband Charlie Sheen, recently revealed just how tough it can get when you're trying to raise kids with someone who doesn't always see eye-to-eye with you. In an appearance on the BravoTV after-show with her costar Lisa Rinna, Denise opened up about the challenges she faces when trying to set boundaries for her kids.
Now, picture this: Denise takes away her daughter’s phone because she feels it’s the right move for her daughter’s well-being. She gets on the phone with Charlie, and he agrees wholeheartedly. He even supports her decision. But guess what happens the next day? That’s right—Charlie surprises their daughter with a new phone number. Can you imagine Denise’s reaction? “Oh, he got her a new phone?” Lisa Rinna asked Denise during the show, to which Denise replied with a simple but telling, “Yeah, and that’s hard.” It’s moments like these that make co-parenting such a rollercoaster ride.
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Co-Parenting and Emotional Reflections
Denise, who was married to Charlie from 2002 until 2006, shared some deeply personal thoughts during the latest episode of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills on April 22. She opened up to her new husband, Aaron Phypers, about the emotional weight of watching her kids grow up. “It’s surreal when you start to see your kids become adults. It makes me cry,” Denise confessed, with tears streaming down her face. She went on to express her regrets about past conflicts with Charlie, saying, “I just feel like I f—ked up a lot with their dad. I don’t want them to look back at their childhood and remember all the arguments.” It’s a heartfelt admission that many parents can relate to.
Adoption and Expanding the Family
After her challenging divorce, Denise adopted her third daughter, Eloise, who is now 7 years old. Eloise has special needs, and Denise has been incredibly open about the joys and challenges of raising her. Recently, she shared some heartfelt words about adoption, saying, “To me, it feels like I always had Eloise—there’s no difference between an adopted child or biological child, or Eloise and my older daughters.” She added, “I’ve always believed that we choose our parents and she just chose me another way. She’s my daughter and she’s a part of me.” It’s a beautiful perspective that highlights the love and connection that transcends biological ties.
Advice for Co-Parents Everywhere
Denise also had some sage advice for parents who are struggling to co-parent with an ex. “Parents have to come together, even if they don’t want to be in the same room, for their kids,” she emphasized. “Suck it up—because they didn’t ask to be born into a family that splits and shouldn’t have to deal with parents at each other’s throats.” She also stressed the importance of respecting your ex in front of your children, saying, “I’m not one where you bash your ex in front of your children. It’s very disrespectful to the kids.” These words of wisdom serve as a reminder that, at the end of the day, it’s all about putting the kids first.
