Mindy Kaling admits feeling ‘guilty’ about kids’ parties after revealing Meghan Markle’s parenting advice

Comedian Mindy Kaling has revealed that she feels a ‘little guilty’ about the fact that she often throws ‘cheap’ birthday parties for her kids – just days after it was revealed that she will appear on Meghan Markle‘s Netflix show for an episode about children’s soirees. 

Kaling, 45, is mom to three kids – daughters Katherine Swati, seven, Anne, one, and son Spencer Avu, four.

The Mindy Project star has never publicly revealed the identity of her children’s father, but many have speculated that it’s actor BJ Novak, who she gave a shoutout to this month as she received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

And, during a February 26 appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, the star opened up even more about her family life, peeling back the curtain about her style of party-throwing for her kids.

The topic came up as Kaling explained that her youngest, Anne, had just turned one.

‘Monday night, we had a birthday party and I’m not proud of this but, for the first four years of birthday parties for my kids, I am so cheap,’ the actress admitted.

‘I don’t invite the hundred people over, it’s just, like, me and my kids and we do something at my dad and stepmom’s house,’ she continued.

Kimmel joked that that sounded like a ‘normal’ kids birthday party, which made Kaling chuckle.

Comedian Mindy Kaling has revealed that she feels a ‘little guilty’ about the fact that she often throws ‘cheap’ birthday parties for her kids

She made the revelation just days after it was revealed that she will appear on Meghan Markle’s Netflix show for an episode about children’s soirees

‘Monday night, we had a birthday party and I’m not proud of this, but I, for the first four years of birthday parties for my kids, I am so cheap,’ the actress admitted

She implied that some of the birthday parties in Los Angeles, where she lives, could be quite over the top, and quipped that the band Maroon 5 was not going to show up at her children’s celebrations.

‘You feel guilty, you feel a little guilty when you see on Instagram…’ Kaling admitted.

However, there is one sweet birthday tradition that Kaling always follows for her kids – and that’s dressing up as Elmo when they go for dinner at her dad and stepmom’s house.

‘I pretend I have to go to the bathroom, and then I walk outside and I put on an Elmo costume, and I ring the doorbell and come in,’ she shared.

Her eldest child has already caught on to the fact that it’s really their mom who is in the Elmo costume – but the other two don’t seem to understand quite yet.

The Office star’s admission comes just a few days after she revealed that her appearance on an episode of Meghan Markle’s upcoming homemaking show – With Love, Meghan – was centered around decorating and prepping for a children’s party.

Markle, of course, has two children with Prince Harry – son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, five, and daughter Princess Lilibet of Sussex, three. 

Kaling spoke about the experience with the Duchess during an interview with TIME Magazine that was published this week, explaining that Markle invited her to be on the show for a much needed ‘break’ during her maternity leave.

However, there is one sweet birthday tradition that Kaling always follows for her kids – and that’s dressing up as Elmo when they go for dinner at her dad and stepmom’s house

‘Spoiler alert: I did. The theme was throwing a party for children. I love cooking, but I’m really not good at entertaining. I don’t know anything about how you’re not supposed to use overhead lighting when people come over,’ Kaling told the outlet. 

‘You’re supposed to use little lamps. But Meghan just knows how to do that stuff,’ she shared.

Viewers will be able to catch the episode on March 4, when it premieres on the streaming platform

‘For kids’ parties I usually just go to the party supply store and get paper things, which I don’t judge and neither does she. But it was fun to learn simple ways to do a homemade kids’ party.’

She added that mother-of-two Markle had gifted her a ‘basket of fresh produce and homemade jam and hot sauce because she knew I loved hot sauce. She’s a very generous woman who knew I needed a break.’

Viewers will be able to catch the episode on March 4, when it premieres on the streaming platform.

At the same time, Markle is expected to drop some products in her new lifestyle line, As Ever.

Last week, Markle took to Instagram to share that she was taking her lifestyle brand in a different direction, rebranding it from American Riviera Orchard.

Interestingly enough, it seems like Kaling has been there since the beginning of Markle’s new venture into lifestyle products.

Last year, she was among an exclusive group to receive a jar of Markle’s homemade jam, which was still branded under American Riviera Orchard.

At the time, Kaling took to her Instagram story to share a picture of the jar.

‘This new chapter is an extension of what has always been my love language, beautifully weaving together everything I cherish — food, gardening, entertaining, thoughtful living, and finding joy in the everyday,’ Markle wrote on Instagram this week, as she promised to keep fans in the loop.