Why Matthew McConaughey Is Alright if His Kids Have Their Secrets

“One of the best lessons we can give our kids, as a father, is show them how I love their mother,” and vice versa for Camila, he said. “And a lot of times that does mean, ‘No, the door’s shut and you’re not welcome in.’ A lot of times it does mean that Mom and Dad need their time.”

How he and Camila interact in front of the kids is essential, McConaughey continued. “When you’re cooking in the kitchen, how you treat each other, how you disagree, how you show affection—applause, ‘giddy-ups,’ ‘attaboys,’ ‘love ya, babes.’ Those are really great lessons that our kiddos, whether they let you know they see them there or not—you didn’t give them advice, but they saw it and they will clock it.”

And even more importantly, when they’re not exactly in a “love ya, babe” mood they make sure to let the kids know that everything’s gonna be alright.

“We disagree and you call it a fight or whatever you want to call it,” McConaughey said. “But look at us the next morning. We didn’t go to bed holding a grudge, or we will carry on with our responsibilities to each other, even though it’s the ol’ ‘I love you but I don’t like you right now.’ My mom used to say that, it’s a good one.”

He added, “There are times where that can be true, but the love’s still there.”