Katherine Schwarzenegger revealed the surprising move she made right before marrying Chris Pratt.
The 35-year-old author said that she prepared for her new role in their marriage prior to their 2019 nuptials by seeking help from a professional.
When they got engaged over half a decade ago, the 46-year-old actor was already a father to one child as he shares his son Jack, now 12, with his ex Anna Faris.
On Tuesday, she made a guest appearance on the latest episode of the Parenting & You with Dr. Shefali podcast, where she opened up about stepping into her new role as a first-time stepmother.
Before walking down the aisle to marry Pratt, she said she sought out a step-parenting therapist to coach her in preparation to become a stepmother.
This comes shortly after her husband celebrated his 46th birthday in June with a surprising act as he pontificated on being four years away from turning 50.
Katherine Schwarzenegger revealed the surprising move she made right before marrying Chris Pratt; pictured February in Los Angeles
The eldest child of journalist Maria Shriver and actor Arnold Schwarzenegger admitted that she immediately sought out professional help right when her now-husband popped the question.
‘Number one thing I say is get a step parenting therapist or step parenting coach, because I got that right when we got engaged,’ she revealed on the podcast.
‘And it’s been incredibly helpful for me and also just understanding my role as a step parent.’
About co-parenting with her husband’s ex, Schwarzenegger said she feels ‘blessed’ that they are able to handle the situation well.
‘It takes a lot of work, but it works when everybody is willing to put in the work,’ she said.
‘And when it comes to ego, that definitely pops up for me, for sure, and I always go back to understanding that this isn’t about me, it’s about the child,’ she recalled about when she was getting used to becoming a stepmother early in her and her husband’s marriage.
Pratt was previously married to Faris from 2009 to 2017, welcoming their son Jack in 2012.
A year into his marriage to Schwarzenegger, the newlyweds welcomed their daughter Lyla Maria, now four.
The 35-year-old author said that she prepared for her new role in their marriage prior to their 2019 nuptials by seeking help from a professional
When they got engaged over half a decade ago, the 46-year-old actor was already a father to one child as he shares his son Jack, now 12, with his ex Anna Faris (not pictured); pictured September 2019 in Los Angeles
On Tuesday, she made a guest appearance on the latest episode of the Parenting & You with Dr. Shefali podcast, where she opened up about stepping into her new role as a first-time stepmother
The eldest child of journalist Maria Shriver and actor Arnold Schwarzenegger admitted that she immediately sought out professional help right when her now-husband popped the question
Before walking down the aisle to marry Pratt, she said she sought out a step-parenting therapist to coach her in preparation to become a stepmother. Pratt was previously married to Faris from 2009 to 2017, welcoming their son Jack in 2012
They announced the arrival of their second child together, daughter Eloise Christina, three, shortly afterwards.
Late last year, they welcomed their son Ford Fitzgerald in November 2024.
When their daughters were still toddlers, Pratt gushed about how his son Jack is a ‘great big brother’ to his half-siblings.
After welcoming his and Schwarzenegger’s first daughter together, Pratt spoke about becoming a girl dad and their blended family in a conversation with ET in June 2021.
‘Parent and child relationships are a big focus in this film, as well as redemption and second chances, and so all that stuff really, really resonated with me.’
About his son Jack and the then-nine-year-old’s relationship with his half-sister Lyla, the proud dad-of-four added: ‘Their birthdays are in August, he’s gonna be nine and she’ll be a year old. He’s really great with her. He just loves her. He’s so gentle and sweet.’
The Marvel star continued: ‘She always wants to pull his glasses off his face and he’s very patient with her. You know, he’s a great big brother.’
