Raising kids is never a straight line. It's more like a jagged, messy, beautiful scribble. If you’ve followed Tia Mowry, you know she doesn't do the "perfect celebrity mom" act. She’s messy. She’s loud. She’s real. And honestly, the relationship between Tia Mowry and son Cree Hardrict has become one of the most refreshing things to watch on the internet lately.
Cree is 14 now. Let that sink in for a second. The little boy we saw on Tia & Tamera is officially a teenager, and he’s not just "Tia’s kid" anymore. He’s his own person. He’s got hobbies that would make most parents’ hearts stop—like literally flying airplanes—and a personality that keeps his superstar mom on her toes.
Why the bond between Tia Mowry and son Cree is changing
Most celebrity parents try to keep their kids in a bubble. Tia? Not so much. She’s been incredibly open about how her parenting style has shifted as Cree hit those tricky teen years. She recently admitted on The Jennifer Hudson Show that she’s moved away from the "my house, my rules" mentality she grew up with.
Instead, she’s leaning into something called "gentle parenting," but with a realistic edge. She wants Cree to have a voice. She wants him to feel safe enough to tell her when she’s being "cringe"—which apparently happens a lot when she tries to use Gen Z slang like "skibidi" or "rizz."
It’s a huge shift.
From "Momager" to "Safety Net"
There was a time when Tia considered getting Cree into modeling. She even took him to meetings with agents. But then she realized something important: he wasn't into it. Most Hollywood parents would have pushed. Tia pulled back. She decided that unless he chose that life for himself, she wasn't going to force him into the spotlight.
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That’s a rare move in an industry built on legacies.
Instead, she’s supporting his actual passions. And they’re pretty wild. Did you know Cree can fly a plane? Yeah. At 14. He spent his summer in flight school, soaring in a Cessna. Tia, who is notoriously terrified of flying, didn't even get in the plane with him. She stayed on the ground and FaceTimed him.
That right there? That’s the core of the relationship between Tia Mowry and son Cree. It’s about her letting him fly—literally—while she manages her own fears on the ground.
Navigating divorce and co-parenting
You can't talk about Tia and Cree without mentioning the elephant in the room: her divorce from Cory Hardrict. When they split in 2022 after 14 years, the internet was shook. But the way they’ve handled it for Cree and his sister, Cairo, has been a masterclass in maturity.
They still do birthdays together.
They still do Six Flags trips.
They still show up as a unit.
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Tia has been vocal about the fact that her decision to leave was partly for her kids. She wanted them to see their mother "walking in her truth." She didn't want to model a relationship that wasn't working just for the sake of appearances.
"I want them to see that it is okay to chase your joy," she told HelloBeautiful.
It’s a heavy lesson for a teenager to absorb, but Cree seems to be taking it in stride. He’s often seen in her videos, tall and lanky, looking more like his dad every day, but with that same goofy Mowry energy.
The "single mom" backlash
The internet is a weird place. Tia got a ton of heat recently for calling herself a "single mom." People were quick to point out that she has money, help, and an active co-parent. But Tia didn't back down.
She clarified that in her household, she is the one doing the heavy lifting. She’s the one dealing with the teenage moods, the school runs, and the everyday chaos of a 14-year-old boy. It’s not about the money; it’s about the emotional labor.
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What’s next for Cree Hardrict?
So, is he going to be an actor? Probably not.
Tia has said she doesn't see either of her kids following in her footsteps. Cree is obsessed with:
- Aviation: He’s serious about becoming a pilot.
- Basketball: He’s always got a ball in his hand.
- Mukbangs: Seriously. He loves watching and making videos about food, especially Asian cuisine.
He’s a normal kid who happens to have a very famous mom. And that seems to be exactly how she wants it.
How to apply Tia’s parenting "Vibe" to your own life
If you’re looking at Tia Mowry and son and wondering how to get that kind of relationship with your own teen, here are a few takeaways:
- Prioritize their "Truth" over your "Plan": If they don't want to be a star (or a doctor, or a lawyer), let it go.
- Be okay with being the "Cringe" parent: If you aren't embarrassing them, are you even parenting?
- Model authenticity: If you’re unhappy, they’ll know. Show them it’s okay to make hard changes to find peace.
- Independence is the goal: Don't make it your job to make them happy. Make it your job to keep them safe while they figure out how to make themselves happy.
Tia isn't trying to be a perfect mother. She’s trying to be a present one. And in 2026, with all the noise of social media and celebrity culture, that’s probably the best gift she could give Cree.
Keep an eye on his aviation journey—honestly, seeing a 14-year-old land a plane is way more impressive than any sitcom pilot.