Kate Hudson believes it’s important for children to learn independence early on.

The actress is a mother to three children: Ryder with her ex-husband Chris Robinson; Bingham with ex-fiancé Matt Bellamy; and Rani Rose with her fiancé Danny Fujikawa.

In an interview with Bustle magazine, Hudson shared how she has made it clear to her eldest son, Ryder, a student at New York University, that if he decides to return home after graduation, there will be certain expectations.

"He's like, ‘I got to figure out what my life is going to look like and how I’m going to achieve the things that I want to achieve and how I can live,’" Hudson said. "I think you should be teaching your kids those things way earlier on so that when they get to that point, they’re not like, ‘Oh my God, how do I afford my life and not lean on my family?’"

Hudson, the daughter of Goldie Hawn and musician Bill Hudson, found success in her early 20s by following her famous parents into the entertainment industry. However, she has often referred to her mother’s longtime partner, Kurt Russell, as her father.

Hawn and Russell’s relationship began after they reconnected as co-stars in the 1983 movie Swing Shift, years after they first met on the set of 1968’s The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band. Hawn split from Bill Hudson in 1982 after six years of marriage, and Russell helped raise her children, Kate and Oliver Hudson, alongside their son Wyatt. All three children pursued acting careers.

In a 2017 episode of the ABC Radio podcast "No Limits With Rebecca Jarvis," Hudson opened up about how Hawn and Russell instilled a strong sense of responsibility in their kids.

"The work ethic in our family is really huge," she said. "They definitely instilled that in all of their kids ... It was just basically, 'Do your job. Do it the best you can.'"

Hudson reflected on her own decision to put off college to chase her acting dreams. She had been accepted into the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University but chose to pursue opportunities in film instead. At 19, she earned her breakout role in the 2000 film "Almost Famous," which won her a Golden Globe and earned her an Oscar nomination.

In her interview with Bustle, Hudson credited her upbringing for teaching her to trust herself and embrace her ambitions at a young age.

"I had parents that instilled in me that it was OK to be self-possessed and to believe in myself," she said. "I was very driven when it came to wanting to be in the arts. I didn’t need to do a talent show with three people; I wanted to be out there by myself dancing."

"Sometimes when you’re that young and you’re that self-possessed, there’s a lot of people that want to bring you down, she added. And I did receive a lot of pushback from peers."

But Hudson said her parents always assured her the criticism was not a reflection of her abilities, and she remained determined.

Hudson reached major milestones in her personal life at a young age as well. She began dating musician Chris Robinson in 2000 after meeting him on vacation, and just days later, she declared she would marry him. The couple tied the knot that same year on New Year’s Eve when Hudson was 21.

On "The World’s First Podcast," Hudson recalled why she decided to get married so quickly.

"I just jump into the deep end of everything I do, she said. People thought it was impulsive, but I was just like, 'You know what? I'm just going to dive right into this. I'm not going to second-guess it.'"

The couple welcomed their son Ryder in 2004, but they split in 2007 after seven years of marriage. Despite the separation, they have continued to co-parent amicably, and Hudson has credited Robinson with teaching her what it felt like to be unconditionally loved.

Hudson went on to date Muse frontman Matt Bellamy, whom she met in 2010 at Coachella. The couple got engaged in 2011 and welcomed Bingham later that year. Although they called off their engagement in 2014, they have maintained a positive relationship as they co-parent their son.

In December 2016, Hudson began dating musician Danny Fujikawa, a close family friend she first met when she was pregnant with Ryder. On their first date, a hike, Hudson realized Fujikawa was interested in something more than friendship.

"There was something about Danny that it was coming from such an honest place that I could tell he just wanted me to see him," she said.

Hudson and Fujikawa welcomed their daughter Rani in 2018 and announced their engagement in 2021.

In 2022, Hudson reflected on her approach to co-parenting with her children’s fathers.

"It might not look traditional from the outside, but on the inside I feel like we’re killing it," she said. "The unit that I’ve created with three children with three different fathers is a seriously strong unit, and it’s ours."

While Hudson has always praised Hawn and Russell for their parenting style, she admitted her approach differs in some ways. But Hudson also says her confidence stems from the strong bonds within her family. "At the end of the day, our family is what matters in life," she said. "From my brothers to my nephews and nieces, to my sisters-in-law, to my mom, my dad, to my partner, his brothers. I think that’s where the real kind of self-possessed nature comes from."