Macaulay Culkin, the iconic star of Home Alone, and Brenda Song, celebrated from The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, transitioned from beloved child actors to devoted parents, carefully shielding their two sons from the limelight. Their journey began on the set of Changeland in 2017, blossoming into a relationship that has since captivated fans and media alike. While they navigate parenthood with a strong emphasis on privacy, glimpses into their family life reveal a heartwarming dynamic, especially concerning their younger son, Carson Song Culkin.
The couple’s first public acknowledgment of expanding their family came in 2018 when Macaulay playfully mentioned on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast their plans to “practice” having babies with Brenda. This lighthearted comment foreshadowed the arrival of their first son, Dakota Song Culkin, born on April 5, 2021, a significant name honoring Macaulay’s late sister. Later, without formal announcement, news of their second son, Carson, emerged in 2022, subtly confirmed by Macaulay’s brother, Kieran Culkin. This discreet approach to sharing their family milestones underscores their commitment to keeping their children’s lives private, a value Brenda Song has openly discussed.
In a candid 2025 Bustle cover story, Brenda highlighted the intentionality behind their privacy. Recounting an instance where her son questioned paparazzi, she articulated a protective stance: “You could take pictures of me all day. I don’t care. But when it’s your kids, it’s different. They didn’t ask for this life.” This protective instinct shapes their parenting, emphasizing a normal upbringing away from the intrusive eyes of fame.
This article delves into what we know about Macaulay Culkin and Brenda Song’s children, Dakota and Carson Song Culkin, exploring their births, family connections, and the parenting philosophies guiding their upbringing.
Dakota Song Culkin: A Meaningful First Name
Macaulay and Brenda welcomed Dakota Song Culkin into the world on April 5, 2021, in Los Angeles. Born weighing 6 lbs., 14 oz., Dakota’s name carries a poignant significance. The couple publicly shared their “overjoyed” sentiment upon his arrival, also revealing the heartfelt reason behind his name. Dakota is named after Macaulay’s sister, Dakota Culkin, who tragically passed away in 2008. This touching tribute reflects the deep familial bonds and honors a cherished member of the Culkin family.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749×0:751×2)/brenda-song-macaulay-culkin-2-0ca7a16ca8ae436aba6b5fe94d93a8ab.jpg)
Macaulay Culkin and Brenda Song attend the Stand Up To Cancer telecast in 2018, demonstrating their shared commitment to important causes.
Engagement and Family Growth
Nine months after Dakota’s birth, confirming their deepening commitment, news broke of Macaulay Culkin and Brenda Song’s engagement. Brenda was seen sporting a diamond ring, sparking excitement about their future. In 2022, Brenda spoke about the balancing act of wedding planning and new motherhood. She shared with PEOPLE the challenges of wedding preparations amidst caring for Dakota, noting the convenience of online wedding planning resources. Her collaboration with Amazon Handmade on a wedding collection highlighted this phase of her life. Brenda also revealed a custom gold bar bracelet with Macaulay’s name, hinting at a similar special piece planned for Dakota, emphasizing personal touches in their journey.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(1055×600:1057×602)/macaulay-culkin-brenda-song-kids-2401bea4aa51421b8125c976a2e469de.jpg)
Macaulay Culkin, Brenda Song, and Dakota Song Culkin celebrate Macaulay’s Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 2023, marking a significant milestone in his career with his family present.
Carson Song Culkin’s Arrival: A Brother for Dakota
While details around Carson Song Culkin’s birth remain private, it was Macaulay’s brother, Kieran Culkin, who subtly confirmed the arrival of their second son, Carson. Amidst speculation in December 2022, Kieran mentioned his newest nephew at the premiere of Succession‘s final season. He humorously noted he hadn’t yet met Carson, nor had his children met their new cousin, due to geographical distances and busy schedules. The confirmation, though indirect, added another layer to the family narrative, further cementing Carson Song Culkin’s place in the Culkin family.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999×0:1001×2)/kieran-culkin-macaulay-culkin-4-227db1c4cbc5463597db1ca6f6d75f16.jpg)
Macaulay and Kieran Culkin pictured at Michael Jackson’s 30th Anniversary Celebration, highlighting their fraternal bond and shared history in the entertainment industry.
Hands-On Parenting and Family Values
Brenda Song has openly discussed their “hands-on” parenting approach. In a 2022 interview with The Cut, she detailed their decision to forgo a nanny, relying instead on Brenda’s mother’s support since Dakota’s birth. This commitment to direct involvement underscores their dedication to being present parents in both Dakota and Carson Song Culkin’s lives. Brenda shared how her mother would bring Dakota to set, enabling her to breastfeed and connect with him during workdays. She emphasized the often-understated challenges of the “fourth trimester” and the importance of having support systems in place.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999×0:1001×2)/brenda-song-macaulay-culkin-4-cc0936698b874146a76ab737bf1565d5.jpg)
Macaulay Culkin and Brenda Song enjoying a day at Sesame Place, demonstrating their active roles as parents and their commitment to family time.
Cousin Connections and Family Dynamics
Despite living in different cities – Macaulay in L.A. and Kieran in N.Y.C. – the Culkin brothers navigate the complexities of family get-togethers. Kieran mentioned in 2023 the logistical challenges of cousins meeting, citing distance and their busy lives with young children. He also recalled it took time to meet Dakota initially due to work and pandemic-related restrictions. However, despite the distance, the familial connection remains evident. Kieran, while “a little bit ahead on the dad thing” with slightly older children, humorously declined to offer parenting advice to Macaulay, emphasizing the personal and intuitive nature of parenting.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749×0:751×2)/macaulay-culkin-kieran-culkin-5-7d18e967920c420f9e894f65efbb472f.jpg)
Kieran Culkin and Macaulay Culkin, brothers in the spotlight, maintain a close family bond despite their busy careers and family lives.
Brenda’s Balancing Act: Motherhood and Career
Brenda Song openly discussed the pressures of returning to work after Dakota’s birth and the unexpected challenges it presented. She admitted to feeling pressure to resume her career quickly, but found it “harder than I thought.” Previously accustomed to being first on set, she now faced difficulties even asking for time to pump breastmilk. The long workdays often meant missing Dakota’s bedtime, leading to “FOMO” – fear of missing out on her son’s milestones. Brenda acknowledged the emotional toll of balancing work and motherhood, recognizing the sacrifices involved while striving to provide for her family. In 2025, she further shared experiencing “imposter syndrome” as a mother, grappling with societal expectations of women to excel in both career and motherhood.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999×0:1001×2)/brenda-song-macaulay-culkin-6-43a3464827824c8d83c2d439decb5f20.jpg)
Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin, partners in life and parenthood, navigate the complexities of balancing successful careers with raising their two sons.
Family Support at Hollywood Walk of Fame
A significant public appearance for the family was Macaulay Culkin’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in December 2023. Brenda and both Dakota and Carson Song Culkin were present to support him. Photos captured Macaulay affectionately kissing Carson, while Dakota sported a noticeable mohawk. In his acceptance speech, Macaulay expressed heartfelt gratitude to Brenda, calling her “absolutely everything” and “the best person I’ve ever known,” humorously adding she became one of his top three favorite people after their sons’ births. Brenda later described the event as too special for Dakota to miss, highlighting the importance of family milestones.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999×0:1001×2)/macauly-culkin-star-of-fame-120123-a26f638aa21d4bcfb619401e30be0fd4.jpg)
Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin, accompanied by their children, at Macaulay’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in December 2023, a public celebration of his lasting impact on entertainment.
Father’s Day Reflections
In June 2024, Macaulay shared a Father’s Day post on Instagram, reflecting on his “complicated relationship with Father’s Day” in the past. He mentioned reinventing the day since becoming a father himself, shifting focus from personal celebration to honoring his sons. He described Father’s Day as a celebration of “my boys more than me,” expressing gratitude to Dakota and Carson Song Culkin for making him a father. He aims to make the day fun for them, emphasizing that for him, Father’s Day is “for the people that make me feel like a father.” This sentiment reveals a thoughtful and child-centered approach to fatherhood.
In conclusion, Macaulay Culkin and Brenda Song’s journey into parenthood, particularly concerning Carson Song Culkin and Dakota, is characterized by a strong emphasis on privacy, hands-on involvement, and deep family values. They navigate the challenges of raising children in the public eye with grace and intentionality, prioritizing a normal and loving upbringing for their sons.
