Photo: Matt Baron/BEI/ShutterstockWill Smithis reflecting on thirty years of fatherhood.In conversation withMatt BarnesandStephen Jacksonon theAll The Smokepodcast, theEmancipationactor opened up about what he’s learned about being a dad and what advice he’d pass on to other fathers.“This has been probably the greatest period of my fatherhood,” said the actor, who is dad to sons Trey, 30, with ex-wifeSheree Zampino, as well asJaden, 24, anddaughter Willow, 22, with wifeJada Pinkett Smith.Reflecting on his journey thus far, Smith acknowledged, “I was an okay father for my first son. I got a little bit better, with Jaden. I got my sea legs with Willow.“TheAliactor, 54 said that his recent personal growth has helped him to become a better parent.“The last couple of years of my life, I have sufficiently suffered enough to have real wisdom,” he shared. “This last year with my kids has been the best parenting.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.When it comes to wisdom to share with other fathers, Smith advised, “It’s okay to make mistakes, and the best thing you can do for your kids is to learn and grow yourself.““When we’re trying to force our kids to do stuff and understand things that we didn’t do, that we didn’t understand, they see the bulls–t,” he explained. “And they lose respect.““I found a place with my kids where I could say, ‘I don’t know,’ and, ‘Let’s figure it out together. Let’s go find that out together but we’re doing this as a team.'“Smith also acknowledged that it’s important to continue working on yourself and your relationships, sharing a problem he started tackling two years ago.“I guess I noticed a little bit of a lack in my ability to connect and love on a deep level. I started noticing it with Willow. Willow was the one that was like, ‘Daddy, you’re not,’ " he shared.Trey Smith Instagram"I noticed that I wasn’t as proficient at connecting and loving somebody. I could provide — I’ll lay it out, that’s the easy part. But in those moments, when my kids were reaching for me, I was failing at the depth that they were seeking.“Smithappeared alongside his entire familyat Los Angeles’ Regency Village Theatre on Thursday for theEmancipationpremiere. The film marks his first release since theOscarscontroversy in March.The family coordinated in fall-colored ensembles. Will wore a burgundy Dolce & Gabbana tuxedo with a light pink undershirt, similar tohis sonTrey’s look. The 30-year-old, whom Will shares with ex-wifeSheree Zampino, sported a dark purple sports coat and lavender t-shirt.Jadenchose to match his mom Pinkett Smith and sister Willow as he rocked a tuxedo with prints of black-and-white images.Pinkett Smith, 51, wore an oversized white turtleneck dress with matching jewelry. Their daughter Willow wore a black skin-baring dress with silver embellishments.
Photo: Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock
Will Smithis reflecting on thirty years of fatherhood.In conversation withMatt BarnesandStephen Jacksonon theAll The Smokepodcast, theEmancipationactor opened up about what he’s learned about being a dad and what advice he’d pass on to other fathers.“This has been probably the greatest period of my fatherhood,” said the actor, who is dad to sons Trey, 30, with ex-wifeSheree Zampino, as well asJaden, 24, anddaughter Willow, 22, with wifeJada Pinkett Smith.Reflecting on his journey thus far, Smith acknowledged, “I was an okay father for my first son. I got a little bit better, with Jaden. I got my sea legs with Willow.“TheAliactor, 54 said that his recent personal growth has helped him to become a better parent.“The last couple of years of my life, I have sufficiently suffered enough to have real wisdom,” he shared. “This last year with my kids has been the best parenting.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.When it comes to wisdom to share with other fathers, Smith advised, “It’s okay to make mistakes, and the best thing you can do for your kids is to learn and grow yourself.““When we’re trying to force our kids to do stuff and understand things that we didn’t do, that we didn’t understand, they see the bulls–t,” he explained. “And they lose respect.““I found a place with my kids where I could say, ‘I don’t know,’ and, ‘Let’s figure it out together. Let’s go find that out together but we’re doing this as a team.'“Smith also acknowledged that it’s important to continue working on yourself and your relationships, sharing a problem he started tackling two years ago.“I guess I noticed a little bit of a lack in my ability to connect and love on a deep level. I started noticing it with Willow. Willow was the one that was like, ‘Daddy, you’re not,’ " he shared.Trey Smith Instagram"I noticed that I wasn’t as proficient at connecting and loving somebody. I could provide — I’ll lay it out, that’s the easy part. But in those moments, when my kids were reaching for me, I was failing at the depth that they were seeking.“Smithappeared alongside his entire familyat Los Angeles’ Regency Village Theatre on Thursday for theEmancipationpremiere. The film marks his first release since theOscarscontroversy in March.The family coordinated in fall-colored ensembles. Will wore a burgundy Dolce & Gabbana tuxedo with a light pink undershirt, similar tohis sonTrey’s look. The 30-year-old, whom Will shares with ex-wifeSheree Zampino, sported a dark purple sports coat and lavender t-shirt.Jadenchose to match his mom Pinkett Smith and sister Willow as he rocked a tuxedo with prints of black-and-white images.Pinkett Smith, 51, wore an oversized white turtleneck dress with matching jewelry. Their daughter Willow wore a black skin-baring dress with silver embellishments.
Will Smithis reflecting on thirty years of fatherhood.
In conversation withMatt BarnesandStephen Jacksonon theAll The Smokepodcast, theEmancipationactor opened up about what he’s learned about being a dad and what advice he’d pass on to other fathers.
“This has been probably the greatest period of my fatherhood,” said the actor, who is dad to sons Trey, 30, with ex-wifeSheree Zampino, as well asJaden, 24, anddaughter Willow, 22, with wifeJada Pinkett Smith.
Reflecting on his journey thus far, Smith acknowledged, “I was an okay father for my first son. I got a little bit better, with Jaden. I got my sea legs with Willow.”
TheAliactor, 54 said that his recent personal growth has helped him to become a better parent.
“The last couple of years of my life, I have sufficiently suffered enough to have real wisdom,” he shared. “This last year with my kids has been the best parenting.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
When it comes to wisdom to share with other fathers, Smith advised, “It’s okay to make mistakes, and the best thing you can do for your kids is to learn and grow yourself.”
“When we’re trying to force our kids to do stuff and understand things that we didn’t do, that we didn’t understand, they see the bulls–t,” he explained. “And they lose respect.”
“I found a place with my kids where I could say, ‘I don’t know,’ and, ‘Let’s figure it out together. Let’s go find that out together but we’re doing this as a team.'”
Smith also acknowledged that it’s important to continue working on yourself and your relationships, sharing a problem he started tackling two years ago.
“I guess I noticed a little bit of a lack in my ability to connect and love on a deep level. I started noticing it with Willow. Willow was the one that was like, ‘Daddy, you’re not,’ " he shared.
Trey Smith Instagram
“I noticed that I wasn’t as proficient at connecting and loving somebody. I could provide — I’ll lay it out, that’s the easy part. But in those moments, when my kids were reaching for me, I was failing at the depth that they were seeking.”
Smithappeared alongside his entire familyat Los Angeles’ Regency Village Theatre on Thursday for theEmancipationpremiere. The film marks his first release since theOscarscontroversy in March.
The family coordinated in fall-colored ensembles. Will wore a burgundy Dolce & Gabbana tuxedo with a light pink undershirt, similar tohis sonTrey’s look. The 30-year-old, whom Will shares with ex-wifeSheree Zampino, sported a dark purple sports coat and lavender t-shirt.
Jadenchose to match his mom Pinkett Smith and sister Willow as he rocked a tuxedo with prints of black-and-white images.
Pinkett Smith, 51, wore an oversized white turtleneck dress with matching jewelry. Their daughter Willow wore a black skin-baring dress with silver embellishments.
source: people.com
