You know them as Kevin McCallister and London Tipton. They are the ultimate 90s and early 2000s crossover couple. Honestly, when news first broke that Macaulay Culkin and Brenda Song were dating back in 2017, it felt like a weirdly perfect internet fever dream. But since then, they’ve become one of Hollywood's most low-key, stable pairs.
They don't do the red carpet circus. You won't find them selling "first baby photos" to the highest bidder. In fact, for a long time, we barely knew anything about the Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin kids at all.
It’s intentional.
Both Brenda and Mack (as his friends call him) grew up in the harsh, bright lights of child stardom. They know the cost. They’ve seen how the industry can chew up a childhood and spit out a tabloid headline. So, as they raise their two boys in Los Angeles, they are doing things very differently than their own parents did.
The Names and the Heartbreaking Meaning Behind Them
The couple has two sons. Their first, Dakota Song Culkin, was born on April 5, 2021. He weighed 6 lbs., 14 oz. The name isn't just a trendy choice; it’s a deeply personal tribute. Macaulay named him after his late sister, Dakota, who tragically passed away in 2008.
Then came baby number two.
In late 2022, they quietly welcomed Carson Song Culkin. Most of the world didn't even know Brenda was pregnant again until Mack's brother, Succession star Kieran Culkin, accidentally let it slip at a premiere. Brenda later joked that Carson "really wanted to be here," hinting that the second pregnancy was a bit more of a whirlwind.
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By the way, if you’re wondering about their ages in 2026, Dakota is heading toward five, and Carson is a high-energy three-year-old.
That Emotional Walk of Fame Moment
For years, we saw zero photos. No faces, no "paparazzi" strolls. That changed in December 2023. Macaulay was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and the whole family showed up.
It was a big deal.
Dakota was there rocking a mohawk and a tiny blue suit. Carson was looking dapper in a knit vest. But while the photos were adorable, Brenda later admitted the experience was actually quite stressful for the kids. In a 2025 interview with Bustle, she noted that "Dak was so scared of all the cameras."
It reinforced why they stay away.
"They didn't ask for this life," Brenda explained. "You could take pictures of me all day. I don't care. But when it's your kids, it's different."
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During the ceremony, Macaulay’s speech moved everyone to tears. He looked at Brenda and said, "You’ve given me all my purpose. You’ve given me family... after the birth of our two boys, you’ve become one of my three favorite people."
Living Without a Nanny: The "Anti-Social" Parents
You might assume two wealthy actors have a fleet of staff. Not this pair. They’ve been vocal about being hands-on.
They don't have a nanny.
Brenda’s mom stays with them to help, but otherwise, it’s just them. They describe themselves as "antisocial." Their idea of a wild night is staying home, doing Advent calendars, and managing their "zoo" of pets, which reportedly includes cats, a parrot, and a Shiba Inu.
They focus on communication.
Mack is the "master" of Christmas stockings. He packs Brenda’s lunch when she’s on set. He even has a dad persona called "Papa T-Rex" for playtime. It’s a normal, slightly chaotic domestic life that feels lightyears away from the "child star" trauma Macaulay famously endured with his own father, Kit Culkin.
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Why They Are Breaking the Cycle
Macaulay hasn't spoken to his father in 30 years. He’s been open about the abuse and the financial exploitation he faced as a kid. Because of that, he is fiercely protective of his boys.
He wants them to have a choice.
If Dakota or Carson want to act one day, that’s up to them. But for now, they don't even really know their parents are famous. Dakota apparently thinks Home Alone is just a movie about a kid who acts like him. He even told his mom he wants to grow up and marry someone as pretty as London Tipton—not realizing he was looking at a younger version of his own mother on the screen.
What This Means for the Future
The Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin kids are being raised with a clear boundary between "work" and "home." Brenda has even changed her entire professional team—managers and publicists she had for over a decade—to ensure her career fits her life as a mom, not the other way around.
If you're looking for parenting inspiration, here it is:
- Prioritize Privacy: You don't owe the world your children's faces.
- Break Generational Cycles: You can be a better parent than the ones you had.
- Keep it Simple: Sometimes, being "antisocial" and staying home for a Lakers game on TV is better than a red carpet.
They aren't in a rush to get married, either. They’ve been engaged since early 2022, but with two toddlers, a wedding feels like a lot of work. For now, they’re just being "Mack and Brenda," the parents who host Christmas and bake together.
It’s the most normal Hollywood story you’ll ever hear.
To keep up with the couple’s latest projects, you can check out Brenda Song’s recent work in Running Point or follow Macaulay’s rare, humorous updates on social media. Just don't expect many more family photos—and honestly, that’s probably for the best.