6 Money Tips to Know Before Starting a Family

Is Blake Lively in any of Ryan Reynolds' movies?

Yes, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds have been in the same movies! After meeting during the production of Green Lantern, Blake Lively has a role as an imaginary friend in Ryan Reynolds' new movie IF. In the film, Blake plays a kitten, and it looks like the child who dreamed her up also loves the ocean! This spring movie follows Ryan Reynolds' character and his neighbor Bea, who set out to save all the imaginary friends. It looks like such a fun watch and I can't wait to see the role Blake plays!

The movie also stars director John Krasinski, Cailey Fleming, Fiona Shaw, Alan Kim, Liza Colón-Zayas, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Louis Gossett Jr., and Steve Carell.

How do Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively prioritize their kids?

Blake Lively recently joined an episode of her Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants' costar Amber Tamblyn's Further Adoand revealed the one unbreakable rule she made with Ryan Reynolds.

“When Ryan and I got together, we made a rule not to work at the same time,” she says. “So that we could always prioritize our personal life...That takes working really hard when we're not. Just like financial planning and sustaining that; it takes balance.”

I love that Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are serious about their family life, and that they have identified what works for them and are sticking with it.

Is Taylor Swift friends with Blake Lively's kids?

Yes, Taylor Swift loves Blake Lively's kids! At the Philadelphia show of the Eras Tour, in which Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively attended, Taylor said hello from the stage.

One funny detail about Ryan Reynolds' kids that I love is when he mentioned the girls finally realized Taylor Swift was a popstar. "I think what's most exciting for them is that for the longest time they just thought Taylor's just like an aunt, like a friend of Mommy and Daddy that's very, very close, almost family," he tellsThe Jess Cagle Show. "And then they went to a concert one day and were like, 'Ohhhhh, this isn't a hobby.'"

For Super Bowl Sunday, Blake Lively joined Taylor Swift to support beau (and KC Chiefs tight end) Travis Kelce. "Last week I left my kids for the first time ever," she says on Instagram. "I took pictures upside down and had no clue. I treated a friendship bracelet like a Flat Stanley for my husband like I didn’t realize it wasn’t ‘07. I borrowed more jewelry than the skeleton in the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. And I went clubbing. Now I know what my episode of TheTwilight Zone would look like."

How has motherhood affected Blake Lively?

Blake Lively recently opened up about how Ryan Reynolds and she monitor screen safety for their kids, which is definitely something top-of-mind in 2024. “This is not an ad. I get nothing out of this. I just love @tappityapp,” she said of the STEM-focused educational app. “It’s engaging, informative, fun and they care about safety."

She also jokes that she's learning new things right along with her daughters! But, no matter how educational or fun an app is, Blake Lively also emphasizes the importance of engaging with her kids' devices: "I’m always triple checking any kids app constantly for safety because that’s my responsibly not an app’s, but I do LOVE this one.”

Despite its fun and funny moments, the actress has admitted being a mom is hard, but she did it with her signature dry sense of humor. “BettyBooze at your service," she wrote in an Instagram Story announcing the new brand. "These are recipes I’ve been making for loved ones for years. But I have 4 kids now. And I’m tired. So here they are. In a can."

However, Lively absolutely loves motherhood, and says in a 2022 interview with Forbes that having children has made her feel more comfortable in her own skin. "Once I had children, that just became even more profound because my time was even more precious, but also I think having children for me made me feel so much more in my skin," she says. "I never felt more myself or at ease in my own body or more confident — not to say that there aren't a bevy of insecurities coming at me a million times a day, but I just feel incredibly settled."

Speaking with People in 2021, Lively also explains how important it is that her children see her accomplish things outside the home. "I want to be as present of a mother as humanly possible and I want them to feel my presence, but I also think the best way to be the best mother is to show them that you can have a life and have a passion and have an identity outside of just being a mother," Lively says.

While she acknowledges that motherhood is all-encompassing, and it looks different for everyone, she knows that having your own identity is very important. "Teaching them that they can maintain themselves and that everything is possible [is crucial]," she adds.

How many children do Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds have?

Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively's children are four girls. They welcomed their third daughter in 2019, making this new addition to the family their fourth kid.

When did Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds have their daughters?

Blake Lively's children were all born in the last 10 years. Blake Lively's kids' names are James, Inez, Betty, and a fourth baby whose name they haven't announced yet. She gave birth to James in 2014, while Inez was born in 2016. Lively gave birth to Betty in 2019 and their fourth baby in February of 2023. I'm hoping that we might find out Ryan Reynolds' new baby's name in honor of her first birthday!

Why did Blake Lively name her daughter James?

The couple decided to name their daughter James after Reynolds' late father. While the name connects both James and Reynolds to his father, it also gives Lively the chance to bond with her daughter over having historically male names. "I liked having a boy's name," Lively said on Good Morning Americain 2015. "I thought I'd pass it on."

Their third daughter Betty's name is a tribute to Lively's late father. We didn't know the name of the couple's third baby until Taylor Swift used all three names in her 2020 album folklore. Swift also used James' voice at the beginning of her 2017 track "Gorgeous"! Does that mean we'll hear one of Ryan Reynolds' children in Reputation (Taylor's Version)? I hope so!

What has Ryan Reynolds said about raising their kids?

Per People, Ryan Reynolds has made it clear he and Blake are wholly invested in the kids' daily lives. The doting husband and father enjoys the moments of "walking them to school and walking them back" as it deepens their bond. More than anything, Ryan and Blake's main goal is to make sure they teach their kids how to be introspective with Ryan saying, "...that's the thing we sort of hang our hat on the most is self-awareness with our kids."

However, that doesn't mean Blake and Ryan don't absolutely love being parents. "We're very excited [and] we wouldn't do this four times if we didn't love it," he says in an interview with CNBC's Power Lunch. "Everybody's doing great. Everybody's actually doing fantastic. I think if we hadn't figured it out by now, I think we'd be in deep, deep trouble."

"It's a zoo over here," he jokes. "This is my office here, this is where I'll probably — to be honest, I'll probably spend the rest of my life in here."

We love how much energy Ryan and Blake are pouring into their kids. It's always beautiful when parents are able to be present with their kids and teach them how to be present with themselves. Ryan Reynolds has also mentioned how having daughters "has been such a ride." Since he comes from a family of all boys, having daughters is something that was beyond his wildest dreams! “I love being a girl dad,” Ryan tells Access. “I have three daughters, which I never in a million years would imagine.”

He mentioned his newest daughter in June of 2023, when he announced his new series Bedtime Stories. "The idea for a show made to help everyone fall asleep was born the same day as my fourth child," he says on Instagram.

Did Blake Lively have a 4th baby?

Blake Lively posted a pic on Super Bowl Sunday showing what appears to be a post-baby body with the caption "Been busy."

Lively confirmed her fourth pregnancy in September 2022 when she arrived at her Forbes event in NYC cradling a baby bump and by posting her own personal photos on Instagramhoping that "the 11 guys waiting outside [her] home for a 🦄 sighting will leave [her] alone."

What gender is Ryan and Blakes 4th child?

Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively's newest baby, who was born in February of 2023, is a girl! Reynolds explained on the Today Show that they "never find out" until the baby is born, and whether they decide to reveal it is totally up to them. So, does Ryan Reynolds have a son? So far, not yet, but I'm a firm believer in never say never ;).

What is the name of Blake Lively's 4th baby?

Since Taylor Swift used the Blake Lively's kids names in folklore, Swifties think they've guessed Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds' new baby's name.

"Calling it now Blake Lively & Ryan Reynolds baby is going to be named Daisy Mae," Kaitlyn Kersten tweeted after the release of Taylor Swift's Midnights in October 2022 (the name is mentioned in "You're On Your Own Kid.") While we don't have official word on what Ryan Reynolds' new baby name is, we do think that James, Inez, Betty, and Daisy sound great together!

Do Blake and Ryan have nannies?

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds' children don't have a nanny. "I feel like I could sometimes have a bit of a short fuse, but there's just been this weirdly endless supply of patience," Ryan told GQ in 2015. "I have no problem waking up five times in the middle of the night and changing diapers, and as exhausted as you get, I have this stupid grin on my face all the time."

How long have Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively been married?

Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively have been married for 11 years. The couple got married in 2012 at a former slave plantation in South Carolina, a location that the couple is "unreservedly sorry for," Reynolds told Fast Company in 2020.

How did Blake and Ryan meet?

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds met on the set of their film Green Lantern in 2010. After they filmed the movie, they ended up going out with other people, until a train ride changed everything! “Next thing you know, she was going to Boston, and I was going to Boston,” Ryan says on an episode of the SmartLess podcast. “So we got on a train and rode together and then, you know, I was just begging her to sleep with me.” Their relationship quickly evolved to the one we know and love today!

Was Blake Lively married before Ryan Reynolds?

Ryan Reynolds is Blake Lively's first husband, but before they got married, the actress dated her Gossip Girl costar Penn Padgley and also reportedly dated Leonardo DiCaprio. Ryan Reynolds was married to MCU star Scarlett Johansson from 2008 to 2010.

Who is Blake Lively's half sister?

Blake Lively's half-sister is Robyn Lively. Robyn also works in Hollywood, just like Blake's brother Eric Lively and brother-in-law Bart Johnson.

Maternal Mortality Crisis

When I gave birth, I had to have a scheduled induction due to GBS — a bacteria that can cause infections in newborns — being found in my system, and it initially terrified me. I gave birth in 2021 and pandemic policies were so strict that I was terrified my S.O. and I wouldn't be able to advocate for my wellbeing. The only thing that made me feel confident I'd be okay is the fact my OBGYN was a Black woman who made sure things were running smoothly during labor. However, this isn't everyone's experience. Dr. Kameelah Phillips told Today, "Black physicians make up about 5-6% of all physicians. Black female physicians make up 2% of all physicians."

Sadly, some mothers' concerns often aren't prioritized and can ultimately lead to their death if their doctors don't listen to them. The CDCreported an increase of the mortality rate from 23.8 deaths to 32.9 "per 100,000 live births" in 2021, highlighting how this seemingly isn't getting any better.

On top of that, the WHO shared the following symptoms that can affect 75% of maternal mortality cases:

• Severe bleeding (mostly bleeding after childbirth)
• Infections (usually after childbirth)
• High blood pressure during pregnancy (pre-eclampsia and eclampsia)
• Complications from delivery
• Unsafe abortion

Aside from physical symptoms, it's important to factor in the mental health of mothers. A report by American Hospital Association noted that 1 in 8 women struggle with depression while half never receive treatment for it. I admittedly struggled with postpartum depression and suicidal ideation for well up to a year after giving birth, thinking my son would be better off without me as his mom. While I was fortunate to have the support of my family and access to a therapist to help me work through my depression, the realization that so many mothers suffer in silence is a lot to stomach. Sure, there's a six-week check-up occurs after giving birth, but I wish there was more affordable care that helps parents navigate this new chapter in their life.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office only just put out a report this year that we're at an all-time crisis level for maternal mortality. And while I love that someone somewhere is looking into this on a more official basis...it's just a report at the end of the day. There's no action, no plan — just a call for the Department of Health and Human Services to make a change. How many red flags are raised before tangible action comes into play?

Healthcare Disparities

This leads me to the healthcare disparities that can also affect children after they're born. Seeing firsthand how easy it is for some some providers to treat patients like they're nothing more than another number is wild to witness as a mom. Now that I'm in a place where I can address this based on experience after experience, I have to say that my child's healthcare providers have dropped the ball too many times to count within the past year.

When he was an infant, his dad and I had to make many trips to Cranial Technologies because he had a combination of Plagiocephaly and Brachycephaly, meaning some parts of his head were flatter and wider than others. It was difficult to process all of this, but our team was kind, considerate, and as helpful they could be.

While that was a more fortunate experience I'll always cherish, that standard of care wasn't (and isn't) always the case. The provider for my son's eczema treatment has been anything but gracious. In fact, her nonchalant attitude left such a bad taste in our mouths that we've opted to seek care that's outside of the network his former pediatric's office works with.

Sadly, I'm not the only parent who's experiencing roadblocks when advocating for my child. In a study by The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, researchers have found that minority children didn't receive the same level of care as "non-Hispanic White children" regardless of the intended pediatric care. Although we don't like to say the quiet part out loud, this can be due to internal biases from healthcare providers.

NPR is careful to note the The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health review also touches on the fact that minority children's treatment for pain is either nonexistent or barely covers the surface. You'd think people would understand that one's skin color doesn't determine how much pain they're able to withstand, but apparently this is a bias that runs deep thanks to a another finding by JAMA Network. A portion of their review states, "Physician implicit bias has been associated with false beliefs that Black patients have greater pain tolerance, thicker skin, and feel less pain than White patients."

Until we start addressing the fact that biases can affect the level of healthcare that even children receive, I truly fail to understand how the government can rush to instill restrictive laws for embryos before protecting the lives that already exist.

Childcare Costs

So your child is born, they're healthy (for now), and it's time to get into "regular life" and look into childcare. I know it's easy for people to say, "Don't have kids if you can't afford them," but that doesn't account for the many varying factors in someone's life like socioeconomic status, unforseen circumstances, and whether or not you live in a state that allows for any choice. Plus, let's be real — childcare is expensive for everyone.

A report by Bank of America revealed that childcare has "risen over 30%" during the past five years with higher income families grappling with the effects of this more. The daycare I'm literally getting ready to unenroll my son from is increasing it's price to a little under $250 per week — and frankly the cost is still abysmal. While I'm in a position to work remotely, the rising costs of childcare is causing some parents to even leave their full-time jobs behind. Another study conducted by ReadyNation showed that the U.S. economy decreases by $122 billion every year this professional exodus happens.

Betsey Stevenson, an economics and public policy professor at the University of Michigan toldCBS, "With child care costs set to rise substantially with government funding disappearing, a lot of people are having to look and say 'Can we afford this higher cost of child care?'"

If families and children were truly valued, childcare providers would have access to better funding, and families would have more access to adequate care for their children. With inflation showing zero signs of going away, it's unrealistic to assume that it's feasible for parents to choose between working and being with their children full-time. That's a privilege many people simply don't have.

However, the Biden-Harris Administration is seeking to help reduce costs for families. They recently added a rule to the Executive Order on Increasing Access to High-Quality Care and Supporting Caregivers act which seeks to expand childcare choices for families, increase the payments providers receiver, and make it easier for families to receive assistance to pay for childcare. But is that enough? What happens when someone else steps into office? How do we further protect these parents from the whims of the economy?

Foster Care Inequality

Aren't able to keep a biological child, but don't have the option for abortion? Let's look at the foster care system! The National Council For Adoption shared a survey in 2021 that showed, "...for every child adopted from foster care, two children remained in care who were awaiting adoption." While it may seem like adoption is a quick and easy option for people, this doesn't necessarily guarantee every child will immediately be placed in a loving home.

There's a chance that some children remain in foster care until they're 18 or 21. Another study by PubMed shows that "more than 20,000 youth age out of foster care and lose their safety nets overnight." It makes me wonder if their lives don't matter because they're legally considered to be old enough to fend for themselves.

So what's being do to break down these barriers for the children born into the foster care and adoption systems? If women can't get abortions because the child's life matters most, what are we doing to make sure they're able to live safely and comfortably post-birth? Where is that legislation? I don't have all of the answers when it comes down to how families and born children are regarded in this country, but I do know that it's disheartening to realize restrictive laws aren't necessarily solving what motherhood — and the subsequent life of a child — actually entails.

Thankfully, there are some laws that are being put in place to ensure kids in foster care can be taken care of. AP News reports that it may be easier for caregivers to receive the support they need to take care of family members that may have placed up for adoption. Not only that, but a new legislation could make sure LGBTQ+ youth are protected from harsh treatment.

But if every child that results from a thwarted abortion joins the foster care system, what happens? According to the CDC, there were more than 600k reported abortions in 2021 alone. Even with all those potential protections, could the system handle over half a million more children? Not only that, but could they handle them with care?

I genuinely wish we were governed by people who didn't try to criminalize a person's right to choose to bring life into this world or remain childless. The "pro-life" and "pro-choice" camps have been against each other for so long, and now it's spilling over into confusing — not to mention harmful — laws that will have long term ramifications for future generations. It's not enough to stand in front of podium and say all families and children matter when statistics show that's not the case.

People who have lost loved ones due to the maternal mortality crisis and healthcare disparities know there's always been an invisible line. Now, future generations are looking at us to see if we're going to continue pretending like all lives in this country are valued or just the unborn ones — embryos included — because it sounds 'nice' to say. Only time will tell.

Wondering if you're eligible? Any business operating in the state of California, with 1 to 750 employees, is eligible. You just need to be a business entity (Sole Proprietor, LLC, Cooperative, Corporation, Partnership, S-Corporation, or Not-For-Profit), and operate in an eligible industry according to the 2022 NAICS codes (read: a legit business).

Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Fill out a short pre-application questionnaire that takes just minutes to complete. No credit check required!

Step 2: Based on your eligibility, they’ll match you with lenders who fit your needs.

Step 3: Review details about each lender, select the one you like, and they’ll connect you with them.

Step 4: The lender will reach out within three business days to complete the application process. (You’ll also get their contact info so you can follow up directly.)

Most California Small Business Loan Match lenders are certified as Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), which means they offer competitive rates but specialize in helping borrowers who don’t meet the rigid lending criteria of traditional banks — for example, small businesses that have a lower credit score, a prior defaulted loan, or no up-front collateral. CDFIs specialize in helping people in lower-income communities too, and offer a much more flexible and affordable repayment plan than online lenders or Merchant Cash Advance (MCA) loans.

Check them out to help you grow your business, meeting our mission to help you succeed! Good luck!

Hero photo by Amina Filkins