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Kristen Bell leaves Jimmy Kimmel in disbelief after controversial parenting decision


The Veronica Mars actress shares two daughters with husband Dax Shepard


kristen bell black dress red carpet© Getty Images
Jenni McKnight
Jenni McKnightUS Lifestyle Editor
Updated: September 24, 2024
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Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard have come under fire for a parenting decision they made during a recent trip to Copenhagen with their daughters.

The Frozen star, 44, recently appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and her confession not only divided fans but left Jimmy in disbelief too.

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Kristen recalled that she and Dax let their daughters, Lincoln, 11, and Delta, nine, roam around the Tivoli Gardens theme park unsupervised for seven hours.

"We stayed at this hotel that was right at Tivoli Gardens. The hotel opens up into the theme park and so we just were kind of like, 'Are we going to free-range parenting and roll the dice here?'" she told Jimmy.

"So they woke up at like 6am every morning and scanned their bracelets to go outside. We didn't see them for seven hours. They were just running around Copenhagen," she added.

Jimmy appeared shocked by her revelation and asked: "And that was ok?"

kristen bell dax shepard peoples choice awards 2017© Getty Images
Kristen and Dax left their daughters unsupervised for seven hours

Kristen replied: "Apparently, they're both alive, we all returned home."

Recalling how she and Dax spent their time away from their daughters, she added: "We just had coffee, we played Spades, and then around 3 o'clock, we'd be like, 'Anybody see them?' And then one of them would run up and need a Band-Aid."

Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard on TODAY© Getty Images
Kristen and Dax received criticism for their parenting decision

Jimmy still appeared to be struggling with the fact Kristen's daughters had no adult supervision, asking her: "And they were allowed on the rides without an adult? That seems like most of the rides have a thing...well that's here, maybe not over in Denmark."

"No, it's real loosey goosey over there," Kristen quipped.

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It wasn't long before people expressed their disapproval online, with one commenting: "I'm GenX and even though I had and loved my limited supervision as a kid, I would never let children that young run around a theme park unattended."

Kristen Bell in burgundy dress © Getty Images
Kristen and Dax enjoyed their time away from their kids

Another added: "Safety aside, that's not fair to the staff and other guests at the park. You're basically expecting everyone else to care for your children. Hire a babysitter to take them to the park for the day if you need that alone time."

Kristen and Dax have been very open about their parenting style. Last year, the actress admitted no topic of conversation is off-limits with her daughters.

During an interview with Real Simple, she expressed her disdain for the word "taboo", saying: "I think it should be stricken from the dictionary.

kristen bell dax shepard with daughters dressed up halloween© Instagram
Kristen and Dax never show their kids faces online

"I talk to my kids about drugs, and the fact that their daddy is an addict and he's in recovery," she added, referring to Dax's battle with substance abuse, which he has openly discussed and has been sober for over 16 years.

While the couple are open about their parenting techniques and even details about their marriage, they are fiercely private about their daughters' identities.

Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard with their daughters Lincoln and Delta© Instagram
No conversation is off-limits with their daughters

They will often share photos of Lincoln and Delta online, but they will always cover their faces with emojis.

Speaking in the past about wanting to keep them away from the spotlight, Kristen told Romper: "My feeling is that I chose a career in the public eye. I chose to be quoted; I chose to have my picture taken. I don't know them yet. I don't know if they will want that. So I really don't have the right to choose for them."

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