Macaulay Culkin Shares Heartbreaking Message About Being a Dad

3 months ago 111

Macaulay Culkin Never Heard This One Word Growing Up and It's Heartbreaking

Macaulay Culkin never wants his kids to feel like they're alone.

That's why the Home Alone alum has made it his mission to make sure his and partner Brenda Song's sons Dakota, 4, and Carson, 3, know they're loved whenever possible.

"There's a word that I use in my household because it's something that I didn't really hear enough of when I was a kid," he shared on the Dec. 16 episode of Mythical Kitchen, "and that's 'proud.'"

Macaulay—who had a difficult childhood with his dad Christopher "Kit" Culkin—went on to explain that he "never got the 'p' word" growing up despite his successful acting career. So the 45-year-old said he'll now frequently use the word with his own children.

“My kid, he does his recital," Macaulay recalled of a specific instance. "As soon as the curtain opens, he freezes, he cries and he runs off stage. So, I go and scoop him up and the first thing out of my mouth is, ‘Man, I’m so proud of you. You were so brave to go out there like that.'"

Noting how generational trauma can "haunt" a person, Macaulay added that he's pleased with how his fatherhood journey turned out.

"I'm proud of myself," he continued, "that I can provide for my family in that kind of way."

And the actor credits much of his parenting style to Brenda, who he started dating in 2017 after the two costarred in Changeland.

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"Brenda is such a good mother and she makes me want to be a better father, a better person," he added. "I see how good she is and I see how happy our kids are."

As for where Macaulay and his own father stand today? The pair are still estranged.

“I haven't spoken to him in about 30-something years," he shared during a March episode of Sibling Revelry. “He deserves it, too."

For a closer look of Macaulay's life with Brenda, keep reading...

Macaulay Culkin/Instagram

So '90s

Macaulay Culkin and Brenda Song were on theme at Billie Lourd's 33rd birthday party in July 2025.

Brenda Song/Instagram

8 Years Strong

Brenda shared this sweet photo on the couple's eighth anniversary in June 2025, writing on Instagram, "There is still no one who makes me laugh or smile like the way you do. No one who makes me feel more seen, heard or loved."

"My partner in crime, my adventure partner, my best friend, my baby daddy, my favorite everything- thank you," she added. "To be loved by you is the greatest privilege."

Instagram/Brenda Song

Go Rams

Macaulay and Brenda were decked out in their favorite football team's colors in 2024.

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Date Night

The couple stepped out for a rare red carpet date at a Clarins product launch party in Los Angeles in March 2024.

Instagram/Macaulay Culkin

Fun in Cabo

The couple celebrated Brenda's 36th birthday in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, in 2024.

Instagram/Macaulay Culkin

Poolside Service

Macaulay purchased a resort tshirt and pretended to be a resort employee, offering Brenda a towel as she lounged poolside.

Instagram/Macaulay Culkin

Bellhop

He also played bellhop and carried her bags, much to Brenda's confusion and amusement.

Amy Sussman/Getty Images

Meet Dakota

The two appeared with their son Dakota at Macaulay's star ceremony on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in December 2023.

Amy Sussman/Getty Images

Hi Baby

Macaulay and Brenda's baby boy Carson also made an appearance at the ceremony.

Amy Sussman/Getty Images

Star Power

The couple were all smiles at the family event.

Instagram/Brenda Song

Trick or Treat

In 2023, the Home Alone star got into the spooky season spirit as Brenda passed out candy.

Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Ghetto Film School

Black & White Style

The duo appeared at the GFS Fall Benefit in Santa Monica, Calif., in October 2023.

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Stand Up To Cancer

They're Getting Hitched

In January 2022, a source confirmed to E! News that Brenda and Macaulay were engaged. The actress showed off her engagement ring while stepping out in Beverly Hills.

Instagram

Heart Day

"Hoppy Valentine's day everyone!" Brenda shared on Instagram in 2020, when celebrating with Macaulay in the water.

Splash News

Take Me Away

While strolling through Friedrichshain in Berlin in 2018, the couple displayed some PDA by holding hands.

culkamania / Instagram

Proud Parents

In 2022, the couple celebrated their son Dakota's first birthday with a visit to Sesame Place San Diego. Calling it a "magical" affair, Brenda wrote on her Instagram alongside a snap of herself and Macaulay posing with Elmo, "We had so much fun!"

Instagram

Birthday Bash

"Happy 40th birthday to this magical being," Brenda wrote to Macaulay on Instagram in 2020. "I could sit here and write endlessly about how wonderful, kind, loving, genuine, loyal, honest, brilliant and hilarious you are, and how grateful I am that I get to share and do this life thing with you. But firstly, that would take me an eternity and secondly, you won't even see this because you don't ever use instagram. Hahaha. My unicorn that I never thought could exist, I am luckiest person in the world because I am loved by you."

Instagram

Biggest Cheerleader

"Guys, I did a podcast with my favorite bunny—podcasters and just 2 of my favorite people," Brenda shared online when supporting her boyfriend's podcast back in April 2018. "@bunnyearspodcast aaaand the one and only @mattbennett!"

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images