Jessica Alba Dishes on Two Parenting Secrets That Help Her Connect With Her Kids

Jessica Alba is proud of the strong relationship she’s fostered with each of her three kids, and she’s sharing two practices that have helped her connect with them over the years.

During an interview with People, the Honest Company founder spoke about the symbiotic nature of her bond with her daughters Honor, 15, and Haven, 12, as well as her 5-year-old son Hayes. Alba explained, “They’re either teaching me something every day or I’m teaching them something. We’re learning from each other. It’s definitely a back-and-forth.”

The actress, who shares her children with husband Cash Warren, described her relationship with her kids as “healthy” and rooted in “unconditional love for one another.” One thing that’s helped her build their connection is the use of a certain love language: words of affirmation.

“It’s important to say, ‘Hey, you did a good job today,’ or ‘I love you,’ or ‘I really liked how you handled that situation or this situation,’” Alba told the outlet. The Fantastic Four star admitted, “I don’t know if I am always mindful to check in with them in that way. I’ve noticed recently that even those little things matter,” she explained.

“Sometimes you can just skim over them. Like, ‘Yeah, they’re good kids.’ They know how to go through the world, but sometimes it’s important still to call it out and to make them feel seen and heard, even for little things,” Alba opined.

Another tool the businesswoman keeps handy in her parenting arsenal? Meditation. The mom of three shared, “I do like to do a morning meditation, and that helps set up the rest of the day so that even the tough times can not feel so edgy and they don’t feel so sharp. It smooths out some of those really high highs or really low lows,” Alba elucidated.