The digital landscape is a familiar territory for the Kardashian-Jenner clan, but for Kim Kardashian, the boundary between being a supportive mother and a viral co-star is one she guards with surprising intensity. In a world where the public often perceives her relationship with her eldest daughter, North West, as a seamless blend of friendship and fame, the SKIMS mogul is taking a firm stand to clarify the reality of their household dynamic. Despite the high-fashion TikToks and front-row appearances at Paris Fashion Week, Kim is making it clear that she is a mother first, a disciplinarian second, and a "bestie" only when the rules have been followed.
This parental resolve was on full display during a recent Instagram Live session hosted by 12-year-old North. As the tween engaged with her followers, the unmistakable sound of activity off-camera signaled the arrival of a special guest. North, sensing her mother’s proximity, told her viewers, "Guys, I think my mom’s coming," before turning to address Kim directly: "Why are you watching my Live?" Far from being a moment of adolescent embarrassment, the interaction took an endearing turn when North declared to her thousands of viewers, "Guys, the GOAT is here."
The acronym, standing for "Greatest of All Time," caught the 43-year-old entrepreneur off guard. Kim, who shares North, Saint (10), Chicago (8), and Psalm (6) with her former husband Kanye "Ye" West, was visibly touched by the rare compliment from her eldest. "I hope someone recorded that," Kim replied from the shadows. "She called me the GOAT. I don’t know if I’ll ever get that again." The moment quickly devolved into the kind of playful banter that has come to define their public-facing relationship, with North jokingly suggesting Kim show her face on camera to boost viewership and "make some money." Kim, however, was quick to shut down the proposal, insisting she was in "bedtime mode" and preferred to remain off-screen.
While the interaction seemed lighthearted, it underscored a deeper truth about Kim’s approach to parenting in the age of social media. While she allows North a platform, she does so under a microscope. Kim remained in the room for the duration of the stream, acting as an informal moderator and eventually calling an end to the broadcast by reminding North that it was time for sleep. This level of supervision is a direct counter-narrative to the criticism Kim often faces from observers who believe she allows her children too much freedom too soon.
Addressing these misconceptions during a recent appearance on her sister Khloé Kardashian’s podcast, Kim was adamant about her role. She acknowledged that the public often sees their collaborative videos and assumes a lack of structure. "The one misconception that people might have is like, ‘Oh, she’s trying to be her bestie and lets her get away with a lot,’" Kim shared. "No, Northy actually has a lot of rules." These rules extend beyond just social media usage, encompassing the daily routines and behavioral expectations of a household that, despite its immense wealth, strives for a sense of normalcy.
Kim’s parenting philosophy has undergone a significant evolution over the last decade. She admits to being "stricter" with her two youngest children, Chicago and Psalm, than she was with North and Saint. This shift, she notes, is a natural part of the maternal learning curve. She reflected on how the first two children essentially grow up alongside their parents as they "figure it all out together." By the time the third and fourth children arrive, the lessons learned from earlier mistakes lead to a more refined, and often more rigid, approach to upbringing.
This journey into motherhood was heavily influenced by the matriarch of the family, Kris Jenner. Since welcoming North in 2013, Kim has frequently cited her own mother as the blueprint for balancing a global career with the demands of a large family. In the early days of her parenting journey, Kim expressed a deep sense of honor in following in Kris’s footsteps, acknowledging that the "gift" of motherhood is a complex balancing act that requires constant adjustment and prioritization.
The complexity of that balance was tested significantly following Kim’s 2021 divorce from Kanye West. Navigating the dissolution of a high-profile marriage while raising four children required a level of sensitivity that Kim describes as paramount. Her primary goal has remained ensuring that her children feel "loved and heard" throughout the transition. This has involved difficult conversations, particularly with North, who has been vocal about her preference for the simpler lifestyle her father occasionally leads. Kim previously shared a poignant moment from The Kardashians where North expressed a desire to live in an apartment without nannies, chefs, or security—a stark contrast to the guarded estate they call home. For Kim, these moments are not personal affronts but opportunities to practice patience, a virtue she credits North with teaching her more than anyone else on the planet.
Beyond the emotional labor of co-parenting, Kim is deeply concerned with the material reality of her children’s lives. In an era of unprecedented excess, she has implemented a "no gifts" policy for major milestones, insisting that her children earn the things they want. Her goal is to raise individuals who are "grounded and well-rounded," despite the "Kardashian" brand attached to their names. This focus on character over commerce is a recurring theme in Kim’s reflections, often stating that once you become a mother, the "other stuff" of fame and public opinion simply fades away.
Her relationship with the public eye also changed fundamentally following the harrowing 2016 robbery in Paris. The event served as a catalyst for a more cautious approach to social media, a lesson she is now imparting to her children. Kim no longer posts in real-time, choosing instead to share moments after she has left a location to ensure the safety and privacy of her family. This protective instinct is at the heart of why she monitors North’s digital footprint so closely.
Kim’s path to a family of four was also marked by significant physical challenges. Her first two pregnancies were fraught with medical complications, leading her to describe the birth of Saint as a "miracle" she didn’t take for granted. When health risks made a third pregnancy impossible, she turned to surrogacy to welcome Chicago and Psalm. This transition required a new kind of parenting—explaining the concept of surrogacy to her older children and navigating the emotions of not carrying the child herself. Her gratitude for the women who helped complete her family remains a cornerstone of her story, often speaking of the selflessness and kindness involved in the process.
From the early days of "Pregnant KiKi" defending her changing body against tabloid trolls to her current role as the watchful guardian of a pre-teen’s Instagram Live, Kim Kardashian’s identity is now inextricably linked to her children. She has frequently called North her "biggest achievement," noting that the arrival of her daughter shifted her priorities entirely. The things she once cared about—the constant pursuit of the spotlight and the validation of the industry—have been replaced by the immediate needs of the four young people inside her home.
As North West continues to grow into a public figure in her own right, the "GOAT" of the Kardashian household remains focused on the long game. Kim’s refusal to be just a "bestie" is a calculated choice to ensure her children have the boundaries they need to navigate a world that will inevitably ask much of them. In the quiet moments after the Live stream ends and the cameras are tucked away, the rules remain, and the mother-daughter bond is defined not by "likes" or "views," but by the steady, disciplined guidance of a woman who has learned that the most important job she will ever have is the one the world rarely gets to see in full.
