Everything You Need to Know About Adam Brody and Leighton Meester’s Children
Adam Brody and Leighton Meester value their privacy, as well as that of their two children.
This has made it challenging for fans eager to discover more about the actors and their family, as they rarely share details about their lives. However, when they do decide to open up, it is always a rewarding experience for their admirers.
Continue reading to explore the heartfelt insights Brody and Meester have shared about parenting their little ones.
Beginning their family
Brody and Meester first met on the set of their film, “The Oranges,” in 2012, and they began their romantic relationship the following year.
Although they never publicly announced their engagement, the couple secretly married in 2014, a detail they kept private at that time.
It wasn’t long before the co-stars decided to expand their family. In August 2015, Meester welcomed their first child, a daughter named Arlo Day. However, becoming parents did not change their reluctance to share personal information.
“I don’t talk about Arlo very much,” Meester stated in an interview with Refinery29. “I am very proud of that area of my life. But I’m also really proud of the show (‘Making History’), and of the work I do. I think the perception is: You’re an ingenue, or you’re an icon, or you’re a mom. There’s no in between.”
It’s a boy!
Arlo became a big sister in 2020 when Brody and Meester welcomed a baby boy into their family.
Brody shared the joyful news during Hold the Phone TV’s “The Fun Time Boys Game Night Spectacular” that same year.
“I have a new kid,” the “Nobody Wants This” star announced. “Since I last played (online), I have a new kid. I have a boy, and he’s a dream. He’s a dream boy.”
However, the baby’s name remains a secret, as neither Brody nor Meester has revealed that detail.
Parenting during the pandemic
The arrival of their second child coincided with the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges, it turned out to be a memorable period for Brody and Meester.
“It’s been pretty magical,” he shared with People magazine shortly after their son’s arrival. “It’s such a crazy time for everyone, and we’re so, so, so fortunate that we have some of the security we do and the flexibility with our jobs. We talk about it all the time and we feel incredibly lucky.”
Being in their own family “cocoon” offered them an optimistic view amid the pandemic.
“The world outside is scary for the moment yet thrilling and hopeful,” he remarked.
Their parenting approach
Are they strict or more laid-back? At a 2024 appearance on TODAY with Hoda & Jenna, Brody discussed their parenting style.
“(We’re) very honest,” he shared with the hosts. “We have some very truthful conversations, for better or worse. But other than that, I wouldn’t consider us overly strict.”
Yet, they also maintain some boundaries.
“There is a helicopter element, you know, to keep them safe,” he continued. “I’m not overly strict, but I recognize the sharp edges, literally. And I want to ensure those heads are protected.”
Acknowledging privilege
Meester experienced modest means in her upbringing, sometimes relying on food stamps and welfare. Therefore, it’s essential for her that her children comprehend their privileges, particularly Arlo, who is old enough to grasp the concept.
“We live in such a bubble,” Meester expressed to E! News in 2023. “We’re genuinely happy and grateful to provide her with everything we lacked growing up. However, we also want her to understand that not everyone has that experience.”
It’s a topic they address during family dinners.
“She knows in a child-friendly manner that there are various ways people grow up,” Meester continued. “I hope she internalizes that, but mainly to appreciate everything she has.”
Balancing kids and career
When Brody had the opportunity to interview Meester for Interview magazine, he inquired about how motherhood has influenced her career.
“It’s inevitable that it’s changed, and we’ve discussed it endlessly,” Meester replied. “I wouldn’t change anything, and I’m proud of the mom I am. But I also experience a lot of self-doubt and worry, along with heightened hypervigilance and neurotic tendencies. All I can do is take it one day at a time. When I’m with our kids, I feel it’s crucial to be present. Yet when I’m working, I miss them so much. It’s difficult not to feel as a mother that I’m not doing enough, and I think society often reinforces that idea.”
The former “Gossip Girl” actress then shared her “sweet, canned answer” to the same question.
“(Motherhood) has given me immense compassion, a new level of appreciation for others, and a sensitivity I don’t think I ever had before,” she remarked.
The ultimate couple ‘project’
Brody and Meester have collaborated on both big and small screens, most recently in the short-lived sitcom “Single Parents,” where they portrayed a divorced couple co-parenting a child.
However, Brody believes their most significant project together is the family they have built outside of their professional endeavors.
“When you’re married, committed, and have children, you’re partners in the most important project of your life,” the 45-year-old shared during an appearance on “Podcrushed. “This requires a lot of work from both sides. Even though it brings immense joy, it isn’t always instantly gratifying. It involves a lot of compromise and humility. But we consider ourselves very fortunate.”
