Showbiz News
-
-
-
Loading
Loading
Despite being the children of Oscar-winning actress Catherine Zeta-Jones and Hollywood legend Michael Douglas, Dylan and Carys Douglas haven’t grown up entirely in a world of red carpets and private jets. In fact, Catherine has revealed that she made a point of giving her children a good dose of down-to-earth family life, including holidays at Butlin’s.
The couple’s children were raised mainly between the glamorous surroundings of New York and the sun-drenched island of Bermuda. But every year, Catherine insisted that they spend a fortnight in her native Wales with their grandparents, an experience that came with “Nana and Grampy’s rules” and plenty of traditional British family outings.
Speaking to Radio Times, the Swansea-born star said:
“I’m adamant that they go back to Wales every year, to be with their grandparents for two weeks. Nana and Grampy’s rules!”
And those two weeks weren’t about lavish trips or exclusive getaways. Catherine revealed that she wanted her children to enjoy experiences that many British families would recognise.
“They’ve been to Butlin’s, Legoland, seen the sights in London, up to Scotland, over to Ireland. They’ve even been to the Isle of Man, I think.”
Catherine explained that she believes it’s vital for her children to see the real world beyond Hollywood’s bubble.
“As a parent, you guide them, you give them the best, broadest options, you don’t smother them, you put them into situations where you hope they see the reality of the world.”
It’s a refreshing approach in an era when many celebrity children grow up far removed from everyday life. By exposing Dylan and Carys to traditional British holidays and local culture, Catherine has ensured they understand their heritage and experience a more grounded upbringing.
Michael Douglas and Catherine are doting parents to Dylan and Carys - Credit: Instagram
Her parenting philosophy seems to have paid off. Now in their twenties, Dylan and Carys have both spoken publicly about the importance of family values and remaining humble despite their privileged upbringing. Catherine and Michael have been known to attend low-key family gatherings and local events in Wales, far from the flashing lights of Hollywood.
Zeta-Jones herself grew up in Swansea in a working-class family before making it big in Hollywood. She’s often credited her upbringing with keeping her grounded and believes her children should benefit from the same life lessons.
And it appears that those Butlin’s trips and sightseeing tours weren’t just a novelty, they were part of a deliberate effort to instill in Dylan and Carys an appreciation for life’s simple pleasures. Whether it’s fish and chips by the seaside or visiting a small-town fair, Catherine has made sure that her children know that happiness doesn’t always come with a VIP pass.
For a family with two Oscars, a Tony, a Golden Globe, and countless box office hits between them, it’s heartwarming to see that they still make time for caravan parks, British tourist spots, and good old-fashioned family time.
