Jason Momoa’s Hilarious Admission: Losing His ‘Cool Dad’ Status with Teenagers

Even Aquaman has relatable parenting moments.

Star Jason Momoa recently caught up with PEOPLE to discuss his new Guinness commercial featuring his mom, Coni. In the spirit of family, the actor shared some insights into his life as a father to two teenagers who are beginning to carve out their own paths as they get older.

“I spent a lot of time with them when they were younger, which is super important. Then they traveled with me quite a bit. But now, going into high school, they’ve got their friends and stuff,” Momoa shared.

The actor, who shares daughter Lola Iolani, 16, and son Nakoa-Wolf Manakauapo, 15, with his ex-wife Lisa Bonet, reflected on the evolving dynamics with his children. “They still like me, which is good,” he said with a laugh. “I’m probably losing cool factor daily.”

Currently filming his latest movie, Minecraft, in New Zealand, Momoa spends a lot of time away from home. However, with spring break approaching, he eagerly anticipates reconnecting with his children. “I’m really excited to see my babies soon — a week for spring break. I’m dying to see my kids. I get to be Dad,” he said. “I’m excited for them to get through high school, and then maybe they’ll come out, and I’ll just help them with their lives.”

Momoa’s commitment to family and his passion for the environment go hand in hand. At the premiere of the documentary “Common Ground” in January, he spoke about instilling eco-friendly values in his children. “I feel like I’m doing it and I’m almost force-feeding my children too much,” he admitted. Despite this, he remains hopeful for the next generation’s commitment to environmentalism. “I mean, I want the next generation to take it even more. And they are, some people are, but you just got to deal with what feels good to you and it just fuels me. That’s what I’m fighting for.”

Reflecting on his upbringing, Momoa credits his mother, Coni, for instilling a strong work ethic and a passion for meaningful projects. Raised in Iowa by his hardworking mother, Momoa’s roots are deeply influential in his approach to life and parenting. “My mother worked like three, four jobs, so I’m a workhorse. I enjoy work, and if you’re doing what you love, I just want my kids to know: do what you love and it’s not a job,” he said. “For a long time, I was doing what I didn’t love, and so I’m just counting my blessings.”

As Jason Momoa navigates the challenges of parenting teenagers and balancing his career, his stories resonate with many parents facing similar experiences. Despite his larger-than-life persona on screen, his down-to-earth reflections remind us that even superheroes have to work to keep up with their kids.