Nick Cannon Dismisses “Co-Parenting” Term, Sparks Backlash Over Parenting Reality
Jordan Collins here. Okay, I’ll explain, but try to keep up.
Nick Cannon publicly rejected the phrase “co-parenting” on a recent episode of his podcast Nick Cannon @ Night, insisting we should just call it “parenting,” and the internet did not hold back. The star, who fathered 12 children with six different women, told a listener he has “always kind of had an issue” with the label because adding prefixes can create harmful preconceived notions. He argued that entering every situation with “respect and compassion and individuality” is the goal, though critics say his reality suggests otherwise.
Let’s be precise because nuance matters even if social media prefers bite-sized outrage. Cannon answered a fan’s question about managing multiple parental relationships while dating. He listed his guiding principle as treating each relationship as pure parenting rather than attaching a qualifier. He admitted he hasn’t “gotten it all the way right” and credited respect and compassion as his playbook for dealing with the mothers of his children. That quote comes directly from his podcast remarks, which were widely covered by entertainment outlets and discussed across social platforms.
Now for the context you probably missed while scrolling: Cannon’s children include Monroe and Moroccan with Mariah Carey, Golden, Powerful, and Rise with Brittany Bell, Zion and Zillion with Abby De La Rosa, Legendary with Bre Tiesi, Onyx with LaNisha Cole, and Halo and Zen with Alyssa Scott. Those public details are important because they frame the scale of what he’s talking about. Managing schedules, emotional labor, and legal logistics for a dozen kids across multiple households is not a theoretical exercise for most people; it is a daily operational headache complete with calendars, custody arrangements, and compromise.
The internet reaction was predictably savage. On Instagram, commenters accused Cannon of being out of touch, with barbs about his alleged “king complex,” lapses in remembering children’s names during past interviews, and critiques of perceived inconsistency. One commenter quipped that anything starting with “co”—from co-parenting to commitment—was apparently beneath him. Another asked bluntly, “What else would you call it?” Those responses were visible in social threads reacting to the podcast and subsequent press coverage.
Why the pushback matters beyond celebrity gossip is simple: language creates pathways to resources. “Co-parenting” is not just a buzzword for people juggling shared custody; it is a searchable term that leads to books, forums, legal guidance, and community support at two in the morning when you need it. Toss away that label and you risk making it harder for separated or never-coupled parents to find help and normalize their struggles. Experts and advocacy groups have long argued that naming a situation enables structure, accountability, and shared responsibility.
To be fair, some listeners understood Cannon’s point about labels boxing people in. But most responses underscored the lived reality many parents face: co-parenting involves negotiating holidays, school events, health appointments, and emotional stability for children whose parents no longer share a household. That difference between celebrity logistics and everyday compromise is what fuels the criticism.
Let’s also note Cannon’s own admissions. He told a podcaster last month he sometimes forgets names when asked about adding to his brood, a moment that amplified concerns about attentiveness. Add private jets and staff into the mix and you have a parody of modern fatherhood that many people find hard to identify with.
In short, Cannon can call it whatever he wants, but dismissing the term “co-parenting” reads as tone-deaf to millions who rely on that word for guidance and solidarity. Words matter, especially when they steer people toward help and accountability.
Closing thought: Yes, he’s trying to normalize respect and compassion. No, that doesn’t absolve the need for structure and shared responsibility—things that the term co-parenting explicitly encourages. Keep watching to see whether Cannon’s approach evolves or turns into another social-media flashpoint.
Well, now you finally understand!
Sources: Celebrity Storm and New York Post, Instagram user comments, Nick Cannon @ Night podcast, The Really Good Podcast with Bobbi Althoff
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
