Boris Kodjoe on the responsibility of being a father

Actor Boris Kodjoe, 34, appears on the cover of the June issue of Ebony Magazine with his son Nicolas Neruda, 6 months. Inside, in a spread including daughter Sophie Tei-Naaki Lee, 2, Boris discusses fatherhood and what he and wife Nicole Ari Parker Kodjoe, 36, want for their children.

On parenthood: Children didn’t choose to be here. Therefore, as parents, we have theresponsibility to make their start as prosperous as possible. Give themevery opportunity to make it to the top. Every child has a right to have a mother and a father.

Language: Sophie and Nicolas are being raised trilingual — they’re learning Nicole’s English, Boris’ native German, and the family nanny’s Spanish.  Boris says, ‘I read to my kids a lot. Theylove books. I’m forming little minds. I want them to be as well-roundedas possible.’ Current favorites are the German version of Where the Wild Things Are andanything about Dora the Explorer.

Can’t nurse, but does hair!: Boris jokes, ‘I can’t breastfeed, but I’m not too bad at doing hair. I’m not as ruthless as mommy is because [Sophie] cries and says ‘Owie,’so I just make a ponytail.’

Sources: Ebony; Boris Kodjoe Online

Thanks to CBB reader Akentunde.

Click below for an additional quote.

Education: I want to expose my child toeverything from arts to sports to music. If she wants to goice-skating, I’ll take her ice-skating.

Comments

It’s certainly a challenge to raise multilingual kids, my husband and i are doing it too so we know its not easy! I can only commend their whole family for making the commitment. Their kids will appreciate it as they grow up.

- Ilona on May 16th, 2007

I loved reading the article about him and the kids. The photos are sweet as well. And he has another article and some new photos featured in the newest issue of Essence, too.

- FC on May 16th, 2007

Haha, the comment about the hair cracks me up. I know exactly what he’s talking about. When my mom would do my hair, my poor dad would come running in panic thinking I was hurt. Mom would just growl under her breath that I was fine and to go away! LOL

On another note, those children are precious! Love seeing pictures of them

- jackie on May 16th, 2007

Aww, Sophie and Nicholas are getting so big! They both look like their mom. I love it that they’re exposing their kids to so much. I totally love their parenting style.

- Mary on May 16th, 2007