• Kim Kardashian Clarifies She’s Not Trying to Be North’s Best Friend
• Strict Rules for Younger Kids While Allowing Eldest Daughter Self-Expression

Kim Kardashian responded to recent criticism over her parenting of her eldest daughter, North West, after the 12-year-old’s clothing choices sparked widespread debate.

Kardashian told her sister Khloé Kardashian’s podcast on January 21: “I think the misconception some people have is that I’m trying to be her best friend and let her get away with a lot. That’s not true. North actually has a lot of rules, and the only area I let her express herself is where she gets freedom of choice, and I love her for it.”

She added, “She will do it regardless.”

Addressing criticism about decisions including North dyeing her hair, getting finger piercings, wearing temporary tattoos, and colored contact lenses, Kim emphasized: “No one knows what I go through unless they’re in my shoes, and how we have to manage certain things from the outside world or even within our private lives.”

With more than a decade of motherhood, Kim explained that she has adjusted some rules over time.

“I have stricter rules for my younger kids. The older kids have electronic devices, the younger ones will not yet. It’s interesting—your first kids grow up with you and you learn with them, and over time you realize you may want to do some things differently.”

She added, “But I wouldn’t change anything. My relationship with my kids is wonderful; they love me, respect me, and every child goes through different phases of growth and learning, and we’ve navigated them together.”