“Why do we have to have the co? We’re just parents.” With that one line on his podcast, Nick Cannon cut straight to the heart of how he approaches raising his 12 children with six different women. For him, the term “co-parenting” isn’t just unnecessary—it’s potentially harmful. “When you start throwing labels on things, I think it does more harm than help and can get very dangerous, because then everybody else has a preconceived notion of what you’re doing,” he explained.
Instead of seeing his situation as a set of “co-parenting relationships,” Cannon chooses to see each connection as its own unique bond. “If I just step into every situation with respect and compassion and individuality,” he said, “that’s the other thing I always do with anyone I’m involved with in my life.” That means no lumping the mothers of his children together. “I really try my hardest not to be like, ‘Oh yeah, my baby mamas,’” he added. “No one wants to be grouped into anything. Everyone wants to be treated like an individual with respect and compassion.”
This perspective lines up with what family relationship experts have long noted: labels can shape—and sometimes limit—how people see themselves and each other. As highlighted in guidance on parenting without labels, avoiding rigid terms can help parents focus on the actual needs of their children and the dynamics of their specific relationships, rather than fitting into a predefined mold. It also sidesteps the baggage that certain words carry, which can fuel misunderstandings or conflict.
Cannon’s reality is complex—he openly admits the six mothers of his children don’t all get along. “Do you know six women anywhere that get along?” he quipped. But he doesn’t see friendship between them as a requirement. “They have their own lives, they raise their children the way they want,” he said. This approach mirrors what experts call “parallel parenting,” where each parent operates independently to reduce friction, especially in high-conflict or multi-household situations. While it’s not the same as collaborative co-parenting, it can still give children stability by minimizing tension.
One of Cannon’s most unconventional strategies is focusing on “energy management” rather than “time management.” He believes that aligning intentions and keeping “low frequencies” out of the mix is more important than rigidly dividing hours. “Once we’re all aligned, the flow is a lot easier,” he explained. “As long as we’re all on the same page and we all got the same goal—to be the best parents we could possibly be—that works, and then the scheduling is the scheduling.” This mindset echoes advice for blended families to prioritize emotional climate over clock-watching, since children often feel the impact of tension more than the absence of a parent for a set number of hours.
Maintaining harmony in such a sprawling family network requires the same tools that benefit any blended family: clear boundaries, respect for individual identities, and open communication where possible. As outlined in strategies for blended family harmony, respecting each household’s rules and rhythms, while keeping the focus on the kids’ well-being, helps avoid unnecessary clashes. It also means not forcing relationships—between parents, step-parents, or siblings—that aren’t ready to grow naturally.
Cannon’s refusal to let labels define his role also reflects a broader truth: families today come in many forms, and success isn’t about fitting into a traditional framework. For some, that might mean two parents working closely together; for others, it’s multiple households operating in parallel. What matters most is the consistency of love, respect, and presence children receive, regardless of the structure around them.
In Cannon’s case, that structure is sprawling, unconventional, and constantly in motion. But by focusing on the individuality of each relationship, keeping the emotional tone as high as possible, and letting go of terms that box people in, he’s crafted a parenting philosophy that’s less about labels—and more about connection.
