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Kylie Kelce is navigating a bittersweet milestone in her life as a mother of four—watching her youngest daughter, Bennie, take her first steps into the world of school. On the latest episode of her Not Gonna Lie with Kylie Kelce podcast, the 34-year-old mother of four shared her heartfelt emotions about Bennie’s transition to preschool, revealing the mix of joy, sadness, and unexpected moments that came with it.
The First Goodbye: A Mother’s Struggle
In a candid discussion during the “You Know What’s F—ed Up?” segment, Kylie admitted she was “not okay” as Bennie, her 3-year-old, started preschool. Kylie explained that while it was exciting for Bennie—who had been waiting for the perfect time to start school—the reality of letting go was far harder for Kylie than she had anticipated.
“Three of my babies are now officially in school, and I don’t feel great about it,” Kylie confessed. As a mother who shares four daughters with Jason Kelce, including Wyatt (6), Elliotte (5), Bennett, and Finn (13 months), this transition marked a huge shift in their family dynamic. It wasn’t just about getting Bennie into school—it was about letting go of one of her little ones and adjusting to an empty house.
Bennie’s Instant Adjustment: A Steady Farewell
While Kylie was struggling, her daughter, on the other hand, was an absolute trooper. The first day of preschool was a breeze for Bennie, who surprised her mom by jumping out of the car and immediately heading inside. “I said, ‘Bye, Bennie. I love you,’ and she went, ‘Love you.’ She didn’t even turn around. She didn’t even look back!” Kylie recalled with a laugh, still reeling from the moment.
By the second day, Bennie was happily telling her mom, “I love to school. I love go to school. I’m really excited.” The adjustment was swift, but for Kylie, it was a mixed bag of emotions. She joked that she spent the entire three-hour period talking non-stop about how Bennie didn’t turn around and how much it hurt her as a mother.
The Heartache of Letting Go
While Bennie was embracing the change with excitement, Kylie was struggling to adjust to the silence. “I talked about it the entire day. Guys, she was there for three hours! I talked about it relentlessly. I told everyone who would listen that she didn’t turn around,” Kylie admitted with a hint of humor, still feeling the sting of her baby girl’s independence.
But Kylie also acknowledged the beauty in her daughter’s transition. “I’m so excited for her. She’s in school, enjoying herself, with the best teachers, but it still hurts my soul,” she shared. Kylie gave herself permission to feel that pain, even though she knew Bennie’s excitement was a sign of her growth and happiness.
Kylie’s Mixed Emotions: Proud, But Not Quite Ready
As a mother, Kylie expressed her conflicted emotions over her daughter’s milestone. “I’m so excited for her, but I’m also in pain,” she admitted. “You can bet your bottom dollar when they get out of school for summer, I’m locking in.” The reality of her children growing up was starting to settle in, and Kylie is trying to hold on to the moments she has left before they all become a little more independent.
But it wasn’t all sadness—Kylie made sure to highlight that there’s one little one in the house who’s absolutely thriving with the changes.
Finn’s Time to Shine: The Baby of the Family Enjoys the Spotlight
While Kylie adjusts to a quieter household with three of her kids now in school, her youngest daughter, Finn, is enjoying her time in the limelight. “Finn’s having the time of her life. The fact that she gets to walk around and just f–k s–t up, she’s having a blast,” Kylie joked, reflecting on how much fun Finn is having without her older sisters to share toys or attention.
Finn, at just 13 months old, has the entire house to herself. “No one’s taking her remote, aka her phone. She’s having uninterrupted phone calls, which is very important for Finn,” Kylie laughed. In a house full of older siblings, Finn now has all the freedom to pound on her piano toy and explore to her heart’s content. She doesn’t have to wait her turn to pick a book, and everything is just hers for the moment.
A Family Adjusting to Change
As Kylie navigates this new chapter with Bennie starting preschool, she’s also acknowledging the broader family transition. The Kelce family is entering a new stage where more independence is on the horizon, and Kylie is figuring out how to balance her emotions while supporting each of her daughters in their growing independence.
Her vulnerability, shared openly on her podcast, highlights just how challenging it can be for parents to let go—even as they’re proud of their children’s progress. It’s a delicate dance between celebrating their growth and mourning the loss of the little ones they once were.
Kylie’s reflections on her daughter Bennie starting preschool offer a powerful reminder that no matter how many milestones we reach as parents, there’s always a deep emotional shift when our children take that next step into the world. Kylie’s honesty about the heartache and joy of motherhood resonates with parents everywhere who are navigating similar transitions.