Nicole Kidman is opening up about the delicate balance of parenting teenagers through significant family transitions. During a recent appearance at the University of San Francisco’s Silk Speaker Series, the 58-year-ancient actress discussed the tough-love advice she gave her daughters following her divorce from musician Keith Urban, which was finalized in January 2026.
The Oscar winner shared that her primary goal during this period of upheaval was to provide her children with a foundation of emotional stability. Kidman emphasized that while the choices made during the teenage years carry weight, they do not define a person’s entire trajectory.
“I told them that the decisions you’re making now will affect your life, but also things will change as nothing is set in stone,” Kidman said. She further noted that creating a sense of security is essential so that her children “can feel like the world is your oyster,” while acknowledging that the prospect of a bright future can often feel “incredibly overwhelming.”
A Legacy of Grit and Self-Definition
Kidman’s approach to parenting appears deeply rooted in the lessons she learned from her own father, Antony Kidman, who passed away in 2014. She recalled the specific guidance he provided her when she was younger, focusing on resilience and mental agility rather than raw intellect.
“He said you need to have grit, you’re not going to be the smartest person in the room so you have to utilize your wits,” she explained. This philosophy of “grit” has informed her own journey through the public eye and her personal challenges, leading her to advocate for a life defined by internal strength rather than external validation.
The actress spoke candidly about the necessity of resilience, stating, “Sometimes you’re going to have to take it on the chin and that’s OK. It’s your life and you define it.” She urged the audience to maintain their personal power, asserting that others should not be allowed to define who they are.
Navigating New Career Paths and Family Dynamics
The Kidman-Urban family continues to navigate their new dynamics while their children pursue their own interests. Sunday Rose, now 17, has already begun establishing herself in the fashion industry; she made her runway debut at Dior during Paris Fashion Week in November 2025. Faith Margaret is 15.
Kidman also has two older children from her previous marriage to Tom Cruise: daughter Isabella, 33, and son Connor, 31. The breadth of her family experience—spanning different eras of her life and various parental roles—has seemingly contributed to her current focus on holistic care and emotional support.
A Transition Toward End-of-Life Care
In a surprising revelation that shifted the tone of the event, Kidman announced her intention to study to become a death doula. This desire stems from the passing of her mother, Janelle, in September 2024. A death doula is a non-medical professional who provides spiritual, emotional, and practical support to individuals facing terminal illness and their families, as defined by the International End Of Life Doula Association.
Kidman admitted that the career pivot “sounds a little weird” to some, but explained that it is born from a place of personal necessity and observation. She noted that during her mother’s final days, Janelle experienced loneliness, and the family’s professional obligations and large number of children made it difficult to provide constant presence.
“I wish there were these people in the world that were there to sit impartially and just provide solace and care,” Kidman said. She cited her father’s involvement in palliative care as an early influence, concluding that it is “really crucial to have care on earth for the beginning and the end.”
As she balances her ongoing career in film and television with her new educational pursuits, Kidman remains focused on the concept of expansion—both in her professional skill set and her emotional capacity to support others through life’s most difficult transitions.
This article is for informational purposes only. For those seeking professional end-of-life care or grief support, please consult certified medical professionals or licensed counselors.
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