Matthew McConaughey says being ‘less of a dad’ gets his teenagers to open up

Matthew McConaughey revealed he has adopted new strategies to encourage his teenagers to share their thoughts with him. Appearing on The Drew Barrymore Show, the actor explained one question that sparked a lengthy conversation with his teenage daughter, Vida. Instead of a typical "How are you doing?" he asked, "What's it like being a teenager these days?"

McConaughey noted that this question allows his daughter more space to express herself without feeling personally scrutinized. He added that shifting to third-person pronouns helps both parties focus on their shared experiences rather than personal attacks. Additionally, McConaughey emphasized the importance of not immediately judging his children's confessions.

He described himself as having to be "less of a dad" and more of a supportive friend during these discussions. McConaughey sees the teenage years as a transitional phase where he can offer guidance by sharing his own past mistakes, likening it to a reassuring pat on the back.