Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt recently shared a humorous anecdote about her father, the iconic actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, and the effect his FaceTime calls in character had on her children. The 36-year-old author and mother took to Instagram to promote her dad’s latest cinematic venture, “The Man with the Bag,” where he takes on the festive role of Santa Claus. In doing so, she light-heartedly noted that her father’s character might have left her three children somewhat unsettled.
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Schwarzenegger Pratt is a mother to three young children: daughters Lyla, aged six, and Eloise, aged four, and her son Ford, who is just 23 months old. She and her husband, Chris Pratt, also have a blended family, as he is the father of a 14-year-old son, Jack, from his previous marriage to actress Anna Faris. “While the FaceTimes from my father during this filming traumatized my kids, I’m excited to see this!” she wrote on her Instagram Stories, overlaying the trailer for Arnold’s new film.
In a delightful family moment, Arnold Schwarzenegger expressed to PEOPLE in August that his grandchildren affectionately refer to him as “Opa,” the German word for grandfather. He welcomed the opportunity to connect with them, stating, “It’s just such a fun thing to do because it’s kind of like I [didn’t] know how good I would be [at being a grandfather].” With his affection for animals, he finds it easy to engage them in activities during their visits.
Katherine often shares intimate glimpses of her family life on social media. In a recent post, she celebrated her elder daughter’s sixth birthday with a collection of heartfelt photographs. The images showcased a lovely day spent horseback riding in a picturesque field. The proud mother rode a majestic white horse while Lyla enjoyed a ride on a blonde pony. She sweetly captioned the moment, “My baby is 6. Happy birthday my Lyla girl! I love you more than you know 🩷.” Messages from family members, including affectionate greetings from her mother, Maria Shriver, added to the joy of the occasion.
Reflecting on her upbringing, Katherine disclosed in a previous podcast appearance that her father’s parenting style has influenced her own approach. Describing her family’s traditions, she noted, “I guess [we’re] more traditional with the chores and also the implementation of the chores and the strictness of the chores.” She recounted a particularly striking memory of her father’s discipline, revealing how she was once sent home from a semi-formal event for failing to complete her chores.
“I was always like, ‘This is terrible. How could you do this to us? Nobody has chores like this.’ Now I’m like, we’re doing the same thing,” she admitted with a chuckle, showcasing the lasting impact of her father’s upbringing on her own parenting methods. It’s clear that some lessons endure through generations, even if they seem strict at the time.
Schwarzenegger’s balance between being a renowned actor and a doting grandfather adds to the depth of their family dynamic. As his children navigate their own parenting journeys, they draw on the foundations laid by Arnold, blending their unique styles with cherished traditions.
In a world where parenting tips can often come from various sources, Katherine’s reflections on her father’s influence resonate with many who seek to instil values in their children. The playful banter and light-heartedness that bloom in their family interactions also reveal how crucial humour is in maintaining bonds through shared experiences, both joyful and challenging.
As “The Man with the Bag” prepares for its release, fans of Arnold Schwarzenegger can look forward to some festive cheer alongside the distinct charm that comes from the legendary actor. Meanwhile, Katherine will continue to juggle her roles as a writer, a mother, and a daughter in a family that thrives on love, laughter, and the occasional dose of discipline.