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You probably know her as the quirky, adorkable Jess from New Girl or the girl who broke hearts in 500 Days of Summer. But off-camera, Zooey Deschanel is living a life that is way more "carpool and coloring books" than "indie movie montage." People often wonder, does Zooey Deschanel have kids? The short answer is yes. She has two.
She is a mother to a daughter and a son. Honestly, she’s pretty private about them, which is why you don’t see their faces plastered all over every tabloid. But if you look at her life today—especially her relationship with Property Brothers star Jonathan Scott—you’ll see a fascinating blueprint of what modern co-parenting actually looks like in 2026.
Meet the Kids: Elsie Otter and Charlie Wolf
Zooey shares her two children with her ex-husband, film producer Jacob Pechenik. They were married from 2015 to 2020.
Their first child, Elsie Otter Pechenik, was born in July 2015. She’s 10 years old now. When she was born, fans were obsessed with the name. Why Otter? Zooey explained it simply: she and Jacob just really love otters. She told the Today show that otters are sweet, smart, and use tools. Plus, they hold hands while they sleep. It’s hard to argue with that logic.
Then came Charlie Wolf Pechenik in May 2017. He’s 8. Keeping with the animal-themed middle names, Charlie Wolf joined the crew and solidified the family’s love for "wild" middle names paired with classic first names.
Life Away From the Screen
You might think the kids of a famous actress would be watching Elf on repeat. Nope. Zooey has been pretty vocal about the fact that her kids didn't really grow up watching TV.
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In fact, she once told People that to them, she’s "just Mom." They spend their time reading, coloring, and playing with toys. Even as they’ve gotten older, they aren't exactly superfans of her work. Recently, she mentioned they’d seen part of Elf but weren't that into it. Imagine being ten years old and finding one of the biggest Christmas movies of all time "a little weird" because your mom is in it.
The "Bonus Dad" Dynamic with Jonathan Scott
The story of Zooey’s family life took a high-profile turn when she started dating Jonathan Scott in 2019. They met while filming Carpool Karaoke, and the rest is HGTV history.
They got engaged in August 2023 during a trip to Scotland. What’s really sweet is that Elsie and Charlie were actually part of the proposal. They held up a banner that said, "Zooey, will you marry me?"
Jonathan has fully embraced the role of "Bonus Dad." It wasn't always a smooth ride, though. He’s been very open about the "struggle" of figuring out his place.
- The kids didn't immediately run into his arms.
- They used to tell people, "That’s not my daddy, he’s my Jonathan."
- Eventually, they found a rhythm that worked for everyone.
By early 2026, Jonathan was posting about how "family time is priceless." He’s learned that being a stepparent isn't about replacing a father; it's about adding more love to the mix.
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How Co-Parenting Actually Works for Them
Zooey, Jacob, and Jonathan have what many would call a "dream" co-parenting setup. It’s not just cordial; it’s actually friendly.
"As a mom in a co-parenting family, I am just so grateful for the dads in mine and my kids' lives!" — Zooey Deschanel
They’ve done things like celebrate birthdays together. One time, for Charlie's birthday, Jonathan booked an Elmo performer on Zoom, and Jacob came over so they could all watch it together. The kids see all their parental figures in one room, and according to Zooey, that makes them incredibly happy.
Parenting Philosophy and Shielding the Kids
If you follow Zooey on Instagram, you’ll notice she rarely shows the kids' faces. Usually, there’s a heart emoji over them. She’s very intentional about this. She wants them to have a normal childhood, away from the spotlight.
She also cares deeply about their emotional well-being. On a recent podcast, she talked about how she tries to shield them from her own insecurities. She was bullied as a kid and knows how much that can mess with your self-esteem. So, she makes a point to project confidence around them. She wants them to see a mother who is satisfied with who she is, hoping they’ll mirror that same self-acceptance.
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What’s Next for the Deschanel-Scott Family?
As of January 2026, fans are still waiting for the wedding bells. Zooey and Jonathan have been engaged for well over two years now. They’ve been busy renovating their "Park House" in Los Angeles and raising the kids.
They aren't in a rush.
When you have two kids, a thriving career, and a happy home life, a wedding is just the cherry on top. For now, they’re focusing on "priceless" family memories and navigating the pre-teen years with Elsie.
Next Steps for You:
If you're looking for more celebrity parenting inspiration, check out how other stars like Emily Blunt or Blake Lively manage to keep their kids out of the paparazzi's lens. You can also follow Zooey’s social media for glimpses of her beautifully organized pantry—it’s a total mood for any parent trying to survive the snack-time rush.