Kelly Clarkson recently took to the Not Gonna Lie podcast to address a concern many working parents can relate to—school performances being scheduled during the middle of the workday. The 42-year-old singer, known for balancing her career and motherhood, opened up about the difficulties this creates for parents who are trying to manage their professional and family lives.
In a teaser shared via Instagram on March 26, Kelly questioned why schools schedule important student performances, such as plays and concerts, at 10 a.m. on weekdays. “I don’t know when the school systems thought it would be a good idea to start having performances during the workday,” she said. “This just in: a lot of us work.”
Kelly expressed that these events, often planned without much notice, make it difficult for parents to take time off from work. “Surprising you with it, like, not giving you advance notice so you can at least tell your work, ‘Hey, I’m gonna need this morning off,’” she added. However, she noted that many employers would not grant the time off, making it even harder for parents to attend.
Even for those who may hold a higher position at work, Kelly pointed out that the situation is still challenging. “Even if you’re, like, the boss and you would have that control, our kids don’t understand. And we just look like tools when we’re not there,” she shared.
The American Idol winner also discussed how teachers sometimes question why certain parents attend these events and others don’t. She humorously added, “Then they go, ‘Why was this mom there?’ And then you have to say, ‘Because that kid’s got a better mom.’”
Kelly, who shares two children with ex-husband Brandon Blackstock, made it clear that while she understands the importance of school performances, she believes better planning is necessary to accommodate working parents. As schools continue to navigate these scheduling issues, Kelly’s comments shed light on a struggle many parents face—trying to balance career responsibilities with their children’s school activities.
