Bethany Hamilton and Husband Adam Dirks Clash Over Having a 5th Baby
Bethany Hamilton and her partner, Adam Dirks, are busy parenting four children.
“Here we are, with four little ones. I have three boys and a girl, and I’m open to having more,” Hamilton, 36, expressed during the Monday, April 13, episode of the “Stay True” podcast. “My husband isn’t on the same page, though. So, I’m praying about it.”
She continued, “Come on, Lord, align with my wishes! We’ll see what unfolds, but my love for motherhood makes me want to expand our family.”
Since their marriage in 2013, Hamilton and Dirks have welcomed sons Tobias, 10, Wesley, 7, and Micah, 4, along with daughter Alaya, 2.
“A significant part of my life is guided by God, his teachings, and my personal values,” the professional surfer shared with podcast host Madison Prewett. “For instance, we’re homeschooling our kids and emphasizing family integration. My husband and I work together on many of the ‘Bethany’ [promotional] projects and other adventures as well.”
Hamilton, who lost her arm in a shark attack at the age of 13 in 2003, is raising her family in her native Hawaii.
“I was homeschooled from sixth grade onward, and I found it to be a great fit for me,” she reminisced. “The education quality in my area was lacking… Plus, I was a bit of a young professional athlete, traveling internationally at 13 and then going abroad without my parents at 17. Homeschooling allowed me that flexibility.”
When imagining her future as a mother, Hamilton envisioned homeschooling her own children as well.
“It’s definitely a challenge; we probably have a lot on our plate,” she admitted. “There are moments where both my husband and I feel overwhelmed, but luckily, my parents live in our guest house and are very active in our lives.”
Hamilton noted that Dirks’ parents and her siblings live close by and are available to help as needed.
“We’re all in this together, and it’s such a sweet arrangement,” she shared with Prewett, 30. “But with four kids, I often think, ‘Wow, the past few years have been quite a ride!’”
Hamilton expressed pride in how “well-established” her children are.
“I value education differently than some might; I focus on whether my kids are thriving in life beyond just academics,” she explained.
“I observe them and think they’re thriving—they are inherently motivated, read extensively, and while they face some challenges in their education, who doesn’t?”
