Josh Gad Is Always Available for Icky Conversations

As a dad, the 'Frozen' actor is fostering open communication with his daughters by reminding them that no topic is off-limits—even when it makes them cringe.

As the voice of everyone’s favorite snowman, Olaf, Josh Gad is a hit with the younger set. And while his own kids have seen Frozen countless times, they’re getting older and (gasp!) expanding their interests beyond animated movies . Ava is 13 and Isabella 10. It’s a realization Josh is still adjusting to as their relationship evolves.

“I had this moment the other day when I was trying to engage my oldest in conversation and was only getting one-word answers,” he recalls. “It made me sad to recognize that she had grown up before my eyes—and there may be no going back.”

It’s a bittersweet feeling I can relate to as the mom of tweens. But with this longing also comes a sense of joy as we witness our children become their own people, I tell him. “It really is incredible to see these two human beings at the beginning of their journey show so much potential, so much promise,” he agrees. “I don't know if my daughters will be artists, but whatever they do, I think they'll be successful because they’re fearless. And I love that.”

Speaking of fearlessness, you and your wife, Ida Darvish, are pushing back on getting them phones. That struggle inspired your new children’s book, PictureFace Lizzy, about a girl who desperately wants the latest cool toy.

It’s hard because you need to put yourself in your kids’ shoes and what they’re experiencing. Yet, you also have to do what’s best for their well-being, mental health, and safety. The book is a reflection on my daughters wanting an iPhone, Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, all these things. I tried to write it from their perspective, so that it never feels like I'm preaching.

It helps to remember that we were all kids once. If you could say something to your younger self, what would that be?

That little rambunctious kid? I would say, “put down the second ice cream.” Actually, I wouldn't say much to him. I went through a lot as a child. My parents got divorced when I was 5 and that was a very difficult period in my life. I’m proud of the way I handled it. I had an incredible single mother who kept me on track. I was a bit of a problem child, but she gave me an ultimatum: she was going to pull me out of my school and away from my friends and send me to a school I did not want to go to. I turned everything around and got my life in order. I look back at my childhood fondly and see adversity as something that made me the person I am today, for better or worse.

How did your parents’ divorce shape you as a dad?

It’s the whole kit and caboodle. The proudest attribute I have as a father and husband is empathy. It’s my understanding of other people. It’s my ability to navigate the nuances of conversation and not just see things as black and white but find that middle ground. I'm so grateful that my mother taught me that. And now, as a father, I try to instill that in my children so that they can find their way in this oftentimes cruel world.

We all want to raise compassionate kids. What role does your Jewish heritage play into that?

They’re going to find their own path to spirituality. My wife, who was raised Catholic, and I share our traditions with them. We celebrate Hanukkah , Christmas , Rosh Hashanah , Easter . My daughters have a healthier relationship with these things than I did, because I grew up with a very prescriptive form of Judaism that was filled with punishment and the tenants of the Old Testament. I resented it, but then found my way back. My grandparents were in the Holocaust. So, there’s this other level of—I guess Jewish guilt—where I feel a duty to pass on these things because my grandparents lost so much. I never want my kids to turn away from that.

As your kids get older, how do you encourage them to talk to you about their lives?

I sometimes cross the Rubicon. I remember one day my wife telling me that Ava felt uncomfortable hearing kids at school discuss sexual stuff . As her father, I want to remove the ick and let her know that she has a safe place to talk about anything. I approached her feeling all proud of myself, and it took everything to even say the word “sex” in front of her. I finally did it, and she looked at me and said, “Dad, no, I do not want to talk about this with you.” And I was like, great. I did my part. So, it’s ever evolving. You never know how much they want to share, but I’m always available.

A Final Thought

There’s so much power in owning our narratives. Like Josh, I was raised by a single mother and truly believe that her resilience made me a stronger person. I’m sure Josh will bring both heart and humor to his memoir, In Gad We Trust , when it’s out in January. Can’t wait to read it!

Until next time,

Grace

Grace.bastidas@parents.com

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