Malin Akerman Says Moving to Connecticut Allows 1950s-Style Upbringing

Actress Malin Akerman has traded the constant stimulation of Los Angeles for a quieter, more traditional lifestyle in Connecticut.

The move has allowed her to raise her 13-year-old son in a manner she describes as a step back in time, prioritizing outdoor exploration over digital immersion.

The 48-year-old actress, known for her roles in various Hollywood comedies and dramas, shared details of this lifestyle shift during an appearance on the Call Her Daddy podcast, Fox News reported. Akerman said that the change in environment has fundamentally altered her son’s daily routine, moving him away from the “tablet kid” archetype often associated with modern adolescence.

“We have a 13-year-old boy and our boy is a nature boy through and through,” Akerman told the podcast. She described a recent interaction with her husband that highlighted the autonomy and outdoor focus of their son’s new life.

“I called my husband yesterday. I was like, ‘What are you guys doing?’ He’s like, ‘I haven’t seen our son for five hours. He’s out with the neighborhood kids biking with their fishing rods on their bikes, going to different ponds and fishing.’”

Akerman characterized this shift toward a more analog childhood as a “dream,” specifically comparing the experience to growing up in the 1950s. This emphasis on unstructured, screen-free time represents a deliberate departure from the high-tech, fast-paced environment of her previous residence in Los Angeles.

A shift from Hollywood to nature

The transition to Connecticut provides Akerman with a balance between domestic tranquility and professional accessibility. While her son engages with the local landscape, Akerman maintains a connection to her career through proximity to the East Coast’s media hubs.

“And I get to go into New York whenever I need that little kick,” Akerman added, Fox News reported. This ability to oscillate between a quiet suburban life and the energy of New York City allows her to maintain her professional momentum while upholding her family’s new values.

Akerman’s career has seen significant evolution since her 2007 breakthrough in The Heartbreak Kid, starring alongside Ben Stiller. Her filmography includes notable projects such as 27 Dresses, Watchmen, Rock of Ages, and the series Billions. Most recently, she has gained renewed attention for her performance in the Netflix drama The Hunting Wives, where she portrays Margo Banks.

The actress shares her son with her first husband, Italian musician Roberto Zincone. In 2018, Akerman married her second husband, British actor Jack Donnelly.

How modern parenting is changing

Akerman’s choice to foster a “1950s-style” upbringing touches on a growing conversation among parents regarding the impact of digital devices on child development. By encouraging her son to spend hours biking and fishing without constant supervision, she is managing a cultural tension between technological integration and traditional independence.

The move highlights a broader demographic trend where high-profile professionals seek “slow living” environments to mitigate the pressures of urban celebrity life. For Akerman, the primary benefit is the ability to witness her son develop through physical, real-world engagement rather than through a screen.

The momentum of Akerman’s professional work continues alongside her personal lifestyle changes. A second season of The Hunting Wives is scheduled to premiere Nov. 26.

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