In a candid and revealing episode of the Call Her Daddy podcast, reality television icon Kim Kardashian has pulled back the curtain on one of the most scrutinized aspects of her post-divorce life: co-parenting her four young children with ex-husband, rapper and producer Kanye West, now known professionally as Ye. At 44 years old, Kardashian, who rose to global fame through Keeping Up with the Kardashians and has since built a billion-dollar empire in fashion, beauty, and media, shared raw insights into the emotional rollercoaster of raising North (11), Saint (9), Chicago (6), and Psalm (5) amid high-profile tensions. The interview, hosted by Alex Cooper, aired recently and has already sparked widespread conversation on social media, parenting forums, and entertainment news outlets. Kardashian's words not only humanize her high-stakes family dynamic but also challenge pervasive public misconceptions that have plagued her for years.
The conversation kicked off when Cooper, known for her no-holds-barred style, posed a direct question: "What do you think co-parenting with Kanye West is like?" Kardashian paused, her tone a mix of vulnerability and resolve, before diving in. "It's not easy," she admitted flatly. "But, I mean, I raise the kids, you know, full-time. They live with me. I welcome a great, healthy relationship with my kids and their dad, and I think he knows that." This statement sets the stage for understanding the core of their arrangement. Since their divorce was finalized in November 2022—following a separation announced in February 2021—Kardashian has shouldered the primary custody responsibilities. The children reside primarily at her sprawling Calabasas estate, where she maintains a structured environment tailored to their needs, from school routines to extracurricular activities.
Reflecting on their shared history, Kardashian recalled the early days of her relationship with Ye, which blossomed in 2011 during Paris Fashion Week. What began as a celebrity romance evolved into a partnership that produced four children via surrogacy and natural birth. North arrived in 2013, Saint in 2015, Chicago in 2018, and Psalm in 2019. For years, the couple presented a united front, collaborating on everything from Yeezy fashion lines to family vlogs. But Ye's increasingly erratic behavior—marked by public rants, antisemitic outbursts, and bipolar disorder disclosures—culminated in their split. Kardashian filed for divorce citing "irreconcilable differences," a move she later described as necessary for her mental health and the children's stability.
Yet, amid the chaos, Kardashian emphasized her unwavering commitment to fostering a positive father-child bond. "I push for it all the time," she told Cooper, "but I also protect them when, you know, it's time for that. And it goes in waves and phases and it’s a lot of work." This "waves and phases" metaphor captures the unpredictable nature of co-parenting with someone whose life is as tumultuous as Ye's. His career demands constant global travel—performances in Tokyo, business meetings in Saudi Arabia, creative retreats in Wyoming—leaving gaps in consistency that Kardashian must bridge.
The interview took a poignant turn when Cooper probed deeper: "When was the last time Ye saw his children?" Kardashian's response was matter-of-fact yet tinged with quiet disappointment. "Whenever he'll call for them and ask. It's probably been a couple months since we've heard from him." This revelation stunned listeners, painting a picture of sporadic involvement rather than outright absence. In the months leading up to the podcast, Ye had been embroiled in controversies, including his 2022 Adidas fallout over antisemitic comments, a brief presidential run, and a tumultuous marriage to Bianca Censori. These events, Kardashian implied, have indirectly affected his availability as a father.
Cooper followed up sensitively: Do the children feel disappointment? How does Kardashian handle their emotions? Here, the SKIMS founder showcased her maternal wisdom. "They always knew that he had a big life," she explained. From a young age, North, Saint, Chicago, and Psalm have been exposed to their father's jet-setting world. Family trips to Iceland, Japan, and the Middle East were once Instagram staples, normalizing Ye's nomadic lifestyle. "We manage it really well on that front," Kardashian continued. "They love their life and their routine and their schedule. And I think just their job as their mom is just to make sure that they stick to their routine and they're healthy and happy."
This approach underscores a key parenting philosophy: consistency over chaos. Kardashian detailed her daily regimen—school drop-offs in her black G-Wagon, organic meals prepared by private chefs, therapy sessions for emotional check-ins, and playdates with celebrity kids like Stormi Webster. "Look, it’s not easy no matter what, co-parenting with anyone," she generalized, extending empathy to all divorced parents. Statistics from the American Psychological Association support her view: Over 40% of U.S. children experience parental separation, and successful co-parenting hinges on communication and routine stability. Kardashian's model aligns with expert advice from child psychologists like Dr. Jennifer Hartstein, who advocates for "predictable structures" to mitigate divorce trauma.
But the heart of Kardashian's frustration emerged when she tackled the elephant in the room: the damaging public narrative. "The one thing that just gets me is that there's this narrative that like, I keep the kids away from Ye," she vented, her voice rising with exasperation. Social media has been rife with accusations, fueled by Ye's own tweets and Instagram posts claiming Kardashian is "kidnapping" the children or blocking access. In one infamous 2022 rant, Ye posted, "Kim stole my kids," amassing millions of views and igniting #FreeTheKids trends.
"I've never once done that," Kardashian fired back vehemently. "There's been so many times where I've been like, 'Oh, I just wanna show all of these texts. What are you talking about?' We just haven't heard. I begged them, you know, to go hang out or things like that." She recounted specific incidents, like birthday party scheduling conflicts. "Your assistant and you said you wanted a whole different birthday party and you said your party's at four, so we did ours at noon, now you're going online?" This mismatch between private communications and public outbursts exemplifies the "totally different narrative than what the reality is," as she put it. "And that just really sucks."
Kardashian stressed her open-door policy: "Every time he has asked, I will always let [the kids] see their father." She's facilitated international visits without hesitation—from Psalm's first trip to Saudi Arabia in 2023 to North's bonding time in Japan last year. Court documents from their custody battle corroborate this; Judge Michael Kelley awarded joint custody but primary physical to Kardashian, with no restrictions on Ye's access provided he maintains stability.
However, she drew a firm boundary for protection. "But she's conscious of drawing a line when she's felt that the situation might be 'really super unhealthy' in the moment, given Ye's recently publicized controversies." Recalling heated episodes, she said, "I will, you know, say, 'Hey, let's do it here at my house,' or, 'Let's figure out a different time.'" Crucially, she noted Ye's own reluctance during low points: "But actually, when he is like that, he doesn’t really want to see the kids a lot, so if he’s having a hard time, he doesn’t. So, it’s always worked out." This mutual deference has prevented volatile encounters, prioritizing the children's emotional safety.
Experts praise this nuance. Family law attorney Laura Wasser, who represented Kardashian, has publicly advocated for "protective parenting" in high-conflict cases. Bipolar disorder, which Ye has openly discussed, affects 2.8% of Americans and can lead to mood swings impacting reliability. Kardashian's strategy—redirecting visits to neutral, supervised settings—mirrors guidelines from the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Doubling down, Kardashian reiterated, "I've never once denied it. No, I don’t keep the kids and I think that all. That narrative really sucks for me." She lamented the toll of online battles: "If I spoke out about it and rebutted it, I'm just not that girl online that's going to fight back." Instead, she focuses on living authentically, hosting "group dinners" where the family coexists harmoniously. Recent photos of North at Ye's Vultures album listening party in March 2024 show glimpses of this unity.
The podcast's impact extends beyond gossip. It highlights broader issues: the weaponization of children in celebrity divorces, mental health stigma, and media's role in narrative distortion. Kardashian's vulnerability could inspire everyday parents navigating similar strife. As she wrapped up, her message was clear: Divorce isn't erasure. "We can still all be in each other’s lives," she affirmed. With over 370 million Instagram followers, her words reach millions, potentially reshaping perceptions.
In the weeks since, reactions have poured in. Ye has not publicly responded, but allies like Kid Cudi tweeted support for co-parenting efforts. Fans flooded Kardashian's comments with hearts and #MomGoals. Child welfare advocates, including those from the Children's Rights Council, commended her for modeling healthy boundaries.
Ultimately, Kardashian's interview is a testament to resilience. Raising four kids solo amid paparazzi flashes and Twitter storms is no small feat. Yet, through it all, she remains the steady anchor, ensuring North's TikTok dreams, Saint's soccer games, Chicago's ballet classes, and Psalm's bedtime stories thrive. As co-parenting evolves—"in waves and phases"—one thing is certain: Kim Kardashian is fighting not just for access, but for truth, healing, and a future where her children flourish, no matter the headlines.
