Ellie Kemper Reveals Whether Her Kids Influence What’s in Her Grocery Cart (Exclusive)

Actress Ellie Kemper, well-known for her roles in popular series such as *The Office* and *Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt*, has recently shared insights into her family life and parenting approach while promoting her new collaboration with Pirate’s Booty. This initiative aims to inspire creativity among children through an array of screen-free activities as part of Captain Bob’s Summer Quest.

At 46 years of age, Kemper has found a natural alignment with the objectives of Pirate’s Booty, explaining that, like many parents, she is keen to diminish the amount of screen time her children partake in during the long summer months. “I’ve engaged in many of these activities with my kids, and they are genuinely enjoyable,” she stated, expressing her enthusiasm for the initiative.

Kemper and her husband, Michael Koman, are parents to two energetic young boys, James, aged nine, and six-year-old Matthew. She believes in the importance of nurturing creativity in her children, claiming that allowing them to entertain themselves is vital. “Sometimes I find myself wanting to direct the play, to say, ‘Okay, let’s do this,’” she explained. “However, I’m learning that it is more beneficial to provide them with the tools they need and then step back.”

The actress believes that experiencing boredom is essential for children, as it can foster their imagination. “I encourage them to come up with their own ideas rather than imposing my thoughts on them,” she added.

Kemper’s parenting extends to her approach to snack time, where she emphasizes the necessity of fairness. “If James has one more Pirate’s Booty puff than Matthew, they will definitely notice,” she said. As a mother, she is adamant that fairness in sharing snacks must be maintained; any perceived injustice could lead to challenges.

When discussing grocery shopping, Kemper noted that her children do not significantly influence her purchasing decisions. “I have a list and try to introduce them to new foods,” she said. However, she prefers to shop without her children to avoid the chaos that arises when they spot items they do not usually consume. “It can become quite stressful having them trying to sneak things into the cart,” she lamented.

Kemper and her family strive to share meals together whenever feasible, despite the often conflicting demands of work and school schedules. A family tradition they are trying to instil is called “rose, bud, and thorn,” which is a reflective exercise during mealtime. This activity encourages each family member to share a positive experience from their day (the ‘rose’), something they are looking forward to (the ‘bud’), and a challenging moment they have encountered (the ‘thorn’). “It helps us talk about the events of our day in a meaningful way,” she noted.

In a light-hearted reminiscing of her time on *The Office*, Kemper shared one of her favourite food-related moments from the show. She recalled the amusing scene where Kevin spills his chilli, citing its visual hilarity. “It’s such a messy, funny moment that it brings me joy to think about,” she said with a laugh. She also recalled a prior incident where Michael Scott grilled his foot, commenting that although it may not be food in the traditional sense, it certainly made for a memorable moment on screen.

As she navigates her journey as a mother, Kemper remains focused on enhancing her children’s creativity and maintaining a balance within their family life. Her partnership with Pirate’s Booty is just one example of her commitment to enriching her boys’ experiences and fostering essential life skills, all while making cherished family memories.