Busy Philipps' Kids: Meet Her Children With Marc Silverstein

Busy Philipps loves making her fans and Instagram followers laugh with her funny antics, but the TV star doesn’t joke around when it comes to her two kids. Busy, along with her husband, Marc Silverstein, are raising their children, Birdie and Cricket, to be strong and independent individuals.

The former Busy Tonight star and the I Feel Pretty screenwriter became parents together in 2008 when their eldest child, Birdie, was born. People confirmed the news at the time, revealing the little bundle of joy weighed 9 pounds, 7 ounces and measured a little over 21 inches long.

Nearly four years following Birdie’s birth, Busy and Marc — who married in 2007 — expanded their family when their second child, Cricket, arrived in 2013. The Cougar Town alum shared the exciting news on Twitter alongside a pic of her baby girl. “So this happened … ,” she wrote.

Because her children are still growing up and developing into their own characters, Busy and Marc are doing everything they can to instill confidence and strength in Birdie and Cricket. The Hollywood couple agrees the most important way to teach their children is by embodying it themselves.

“You can tell kids all the lessons that you want them to learn, but children learn and become who they are by watching you,” Busy exclusively told Closer in March 2020. “So, if Mark and I aren’t living the things that we’re preaching to them, then it doesn’t matter, they will become another thing.”

The Dawson’s Creek actress noted she also makes sure to “practice what I preach” when it comes to emulating self-love to Birdie and Cricket. “The one way to help empower my kids to just be who they want to be and say the things that they want to say and believe in the things that they want to believe in, is that I have to live that as well,” she explained.

There’s no doubt Busy is a pro when it comes to managing the more serious sides of parenthood, but the White Chicks alum surely knows how to have a good time with Birdie and Cricket. When she’s not on the road for her Hollywood career, Busy said you can catch them hanging out at home “as a family.”

“We just hang out. We play board games. My little one likes board games,” she told Closer. “We watch shows. I let them have an iPad when they want one. I just try to find the balance.”

Keep scrolling to learn more about the couple’s two kids!

Birdie Leigh Silverstein

Busy’s first kiddo was born on August 13, 2008. The blonde beauty revealed her youngster’s name was inspired by Lady Bird Johnson.

“My husband said, ‘Wow, what a cool woman and what an amazing name … it would be so cool to name a kid after her,'” Busy shared on The Bonnie Hunt Show in 2010, noting she was also a big fan of the moniker. “When [Birdie] came out, I said, ‘I think we gotta go with Birdie, I think that’s [the] name.’”

Birdie is still just a teen, but according to Busy, the blonde-haired cutie “really likes art,” the proud mom told Closer. “Art and crafts are such a great thing because you can do any level.”

In December 2020, Busy revealed Birdie came out as gay when they were 10. During an episode of her “Busy Philipps Is Doing Her Best” podcast, the host got candid about her child’s journey regarding their identity and sexuality.

“For those of you who are my friends listening at home, this is the first you’re hearing that Birdie is gay and out,” Busy shared. “Birdie told us at 10 years old and we immediately … I mean obviously, I knew that Birdie knew.”

“So Birdie, my out kid, prefers they/them,” she added. “I f—k up sometimes, but I’m trying my best at that.”

In July 2021, Busy celebrated a huge milestone when Birdie landed their first acting role in Amazon’s upcoming series, With Love. The TV personality marveled over Birdie’s accomplishment on Twitter by sharing the announcement made by show creator Gloria Calderón Kellett.

“This just made me cry,” Busy retweeted alongside the graphic Gloria shared, which read, “With Love News: Birdie Silverstein cast in non-binary recurring role for Gloria Calderón Kellett’s Amazon Prime Video rom com.”

It sounds like Busy is so proud to watch Birdie follow in her acting footsteps!

Cricket Pearl Silverstein

Busy and Marc welcomed their second child on July 3, 2013. Like her older sibling, Cricket also received a unique moniker — one which Busy credited hubby Marc for coming up with.

“He’s always coming up with character names for his movies and TV shows,” she told People in January 2014. “A lot of times your name dictates the kind of personality you have and [Marc’s] like, ‘Everyone likes Cricket, Cricket is just the greatest, happiest kid on the block, the coolest camp counselor, she’s hot in college.’ He just had this whole narrative for what that name was.”

Cricket often makes appearances on her mom’s social media whether they’re taking cute pics together at home or out and about around town. Though it always looks like Busy and her kiddos are having a blast, she dished Birdie and Cricket “don’t think [she’s] a fun mom.”

“I swear,” she joked with Closer. “I don’t think they really think I’m that fun. I mean, I do arts and crafts with them … I tried to do a TikTok video with Birdie, that was a disaster … I think they just think I’m a mom.”