Brenda Song reveals how she balances parenting and career with Macaulay Culkin
The actress says parenting has made balancing work and life more challenging
Brenda Song is speaking candidly about motherhood, revealing how she manages “mom guilt” while raising her two sons with fiancé Macaulay Culkin.
The Running Point star, 38, shared in an exclusive interview with People that becoming a mother to sons Dakota, 5, and Carson, 3, completely reshaped her approach to work-life balance and priorities.
Song said she and Culkin follow a “two-week rule,” ensuring neither parent is away from the family for more than two weeks at a time.
However, she admitted that parenting has made that balance more challenging as their children grow older.
“I really had to be intentional about it when kids came along,” Song said, explaining that she has had to let go of certain habits in order to spend more quality time with her children.
The actress added that she and Culkin make a point of always having one parent present for school drop-offs and pick-ups, describing their shared commitment to maintaining stability at home.
Song also revealed that the couple does not rely on a traditional nanny, crediting her parents for playing a major role in helping raise their children.
“My mom literally said, ‘If you get a nanny, I will be insulted,’” she shared, noting that her family’s involvement has significantly helped ease her “mom guilt.”
Despite the support system, Song admitted that guilt still surfaces when work requires time away, especially as her children become more aware of their parents’ absence.
“They understand a little more now, but that also means they can be more vocal about missing us,” she said.
Song also opened up about how she and Culkin, 45, make time to stay connected as a couple, often spending quiet moments together after their children go to sleep.
Whether watching shows or playing games, she said those nightly routines are essential to maintaining their relationship amid busy schedules.
“I think it’s really important not to lose that connection with your partner,” Song said, adding that her perspective on life and work has become more grounded since becoming a mother.