In a candid revelation that highlights modern parenting conversations, actor and podcast host Dax Shepard has disclosed a unique offer he made to his young daughter. The 51-year-old star shared that he proposed to pay for his 11-year-old daughter, Delta Shepard, to have her eggs frozen once she reaches the age of 18.
A Supportive Father's Proposition
Shepard, who is married to actress Kristen Bell, explained his reasoning during the January 5 episode of his popular Armchair Expert podcast. The discussion stemmed from his daughter expressing a future desire to have a child. "She said she wants to have a baby," Dax recounted. Wanting to be entirely supportive and avoid any hint of judgment, he engaged her in a conversation about timing.
He asked her when she thought she might have her first child, humorously suggesting age 18. Delta's reaction was one of surprise, prompting Dax to give his own estimate. "My guess is between 35 and 45 is when I think you'll have kids," he told her. It was then that he made his supportive offer: "If you want to, we'll freeze your eggs when you're 18. I'll pay for you to get your eggs frozen so you don't have to think about it."
Generational Perspectives on Family Planning
The actor, who is also father to 12-year-old daughter Lincoln, noted that his pre-teen daughter had a very different perspective on the ideal age for motherhood. "She was like, 'No, that's crazy! That's too old,'" Dax recalled with amusement. From the viewpoint of an 11-year-old, 35 might as well be 80. Delta herself is thinking more about starting a family in her mid-20s.
His co-host, Monica Padman, 38, found the entire gesture to be "lovely," appreciating the forward-thinking and supportive nature of the offer. This incident is not the first time Dax and Kristen have navigated conversations about reproduction with their children.
Previous Family Talks About Babies
The couple, known for their open and humorous approach to parenting, have previously attempted to explain the facts of life. Kristen Bell, the 45-year-old star of Frozen, revealed in an interview with E! News in June 2024 that their educational efforts were met with limited interest.
She explained that when one of their kids asked how babies are made, Dax started explaining the process of the sperm meeting the ovum. However, the child's attention span was short. "Truly, within 30 seconds, she had walked outside because she was so bored," Kristen admitted. The strategy, while perhaps too technical, worked in their favour at the time, and they plan to keep the approach as long as it manages to curb further questioning.
Dax Shepard's story offers a glimpse into how some parents are thinking ahead about fertility and family planning, initiating these discussions with their children much earlier than previous generations might have considered.
