Tim Allen makes candid confession about parenting and raising two daughters

Tim Allen has made a candid admission about parenthood, revealing that becoming a father was never part of his original plans and that raising children proved to be a learning experience.

The Toy Story 5 star, who is father to daughters Kate, 36, and Elizabeth, 17, said he was initially uncertain about becoming a parent because he had never considered himself particularly fond of children.

Speaking to Us Weekly, the 73-year-old actor confessed that fatherhood was something he learned through experience rather than instinct.

“I never really wanted to be a dad,” Allen said. “I joke about it on stage; I've just never been a real fan of children.”

The actor added that parenting often feels like a responsibility people take on without any formal preparation.

“As people have said many times about parenting, you go through all this stuff to get a driver's license or a passport, but there's nothing about raising children,” he explained.

Despite his initial reservations, Allen said fatherhood became a work in progress that taught him valuable lessons over the years.

Reflecting on raising two daughters, the Home Improvement star admitted he was navigating unfamiliar territory.

Coming from a family with seven boys and two girls, he said he approached parenting with a focus on independence, financial responsibility and self-sufficiency rather than traditional concerns about appearance or social expectations.

“I have a different view of what will make a strong woman,” Allen said, noting that the life skills he encouraged apply equally to boys and girls.

Elsewhere in the interview, the actor spoke openly about his past struggles with alcohol and how sobriety changed his relationship with his children.

Allen acknowledged that his eldest daughter experienced a different version of him during her early years, as he was not yet sober for part of her childhood.

“I was not sober for some of her formative years,” he said, adding that he later made amends with Kate and has spoken honestly with her about that period of his life.

The actor noted that his younger daughter, Elizabeth, has only known him as a sober parent, a difference he often reflects on with gratitude.

Allen has previously discussed his recovery journey, revealing he has maintained sobriety for nearly three decades.

He has credited his recovery programme with teaching him the importance of giving back and helping others, describing the process as a daily commitment rather than a one-time achievement.