Lala Kent Advocates for Honest Conversations with Her Kids About Alcohol
Vanderpump Rules alum Lala Kent expresses her hope that her daughters, Ocean and Sosa, will avoid struggles with substance abuse as they grow older.
“The trend among Generation Z today is to avoid drinking, which I absolutely love. I hope that continues as my kids grow up,” Kent, 34, shared on the March 14 episode of her “Give Them Lala” podcast. “My biggest fear is watching kids in junior high and high school. I think, ‘This is the age when they start experimenting, going to friends’ houses, and maybe trying a joint.’”
Kent has noticed through social media that a lot of Gen Z teens are stating they “don’t need to drink” as a way to maintain their health.
“I think that’s fantastic. Let’s keep that,” Kent said. “[My brother] Easton and I are in recovery, so if one of my girls decides to drink, they may end up needing to walk into an AA room.”
Kent is the mother of 3-year-old Ocean, whom she shares with ex-fiancé Randall Emmett, and 6-month-old Sosa, conceived through IUI and a sperm donor. Prior to becoming a mother, Kent had embarked on a path of sobriety.
“I’ve been sober for over six years,” Kent disclosed on Friday’s episode. “It’s been wonderful because drinking leads me to a pretty dark place. I began drinking heavily, like Easton, after our dad passed away.”
She added, “When my kids reach that age, I need to be very honest with them: ‘If you’re going to drink, there’s no scenario where you get behind the wheel or ride with someone else. Call me. I won’t ask a single question—just pick up the phone, and I will be there.’”
Kent believes that fostering an “open dialogue” with her children will bring her peace of mind as they transition through their teenage and early adulthood years.
“That thought keeps me up at night—Ocean will be 4 next weekend, and Sosa is only 6 months,” added Kent.
On her podcast, Kent’s guest was Kelly Stafford, who agreed that having an “open dialogue” with her own parents was advantageous.
“I was a pretty good kid because I had an open dialogue with my mom,” Stafford, 35, reminisced. “I could ask her anything and share things that most kids at my age would feel uncomfortable discussing with their parents… I didn’t want to let her down.”
