Denise Richards has shared that her relationship with her oldest daughter Sami, whom she shares with ex-husband Charlie Sheen is ‘strained.’
The actress, 50, appeared on SiriusXM’s Jeff Lewis Live on Friday and revealed that things have been ‘difficult’ since the 17-year-old moved in with her father, 56, and dropped out of school.
Richards, who also shares daughter Lola, 16, with Sheen, said, ‘Honestly, I have a strained relationship with her. It’s very difficult. I know we’ll get back to where we were eventually but right now, it is strained.’
Strained: Denise Richards has shared that her relationship with her oldest daughter Sami is ‘strained’ in a new interview with Jeff Lewis; Richards pictured with Lewis
Difficult: The actress, 50, revealed that things have been ‘difficult’ since the 17-year-old moved in with her father Charlie Sheen, 56, and dropped out of school, saying, ‘Honestly, I have a strained relationship with her. It’s very difficult’
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star touched on the teenager’s living situation, saying, ‘Obviously I would love for her to live with me. She lived with me all these years.’
She went on to say, ‘But I think it’s very difficult raising teenagers now and especially in Los Angeles when there’s access to everything. We didn’t grow up with Postmates and Uber where you have everything that you want.’
‘There are certain rules and I enforce them. And [at Sheen’s], there’s different rules at that house and that’s okay,’ she said.
Richards revealed that Sami is ‘not in school’ right now and that she does not ‘agree with certain things’ that Sheen does. ‘But that’s okay. We can agree to disagree.’
The ex: The star, who also shares daughter Lola, 16, with her ex-husband, added that she does not ‘agree with certain things’ that Sheen does; Richards and Sheen pictured on Jan 16, 2005 in Beverly Hills
She also specified that she is ‘not a strict mom,’ but she does have ‘rules and boundaries.’
Last September Sami shocked her TikTok fans by posting a video in which she labelled her mother’s home an ‘abusive household’ and a ‘hell house.’
Sami, who prior to moving in with her father had been living with her mother and stepfather Aaron Phypers, 49, showed emotional footage of herself crying while describing her dire circumstances.
‘1 year ago today: trapped in an abusive household, hated myself, would go days without eating or sleeping, insanely depressed, hated school, etc.’
Hell house: Last September Sami shocked her TikTok fans by posting a video in which she labelled her mother’s home an ‘abusive household’ and a ‘hell house’
Sad: The teen described her circumstances writing, ‘1 year ago today: trapped in an abusive household, hated myself, would go days without eating or sleeping, insanely depressed, hated school, etc.’
Happy: The footage then cut to her at her dad’s house, with the caption: ‘Now: finally moved out of the hell house, had a spiritual awakening, own 2 cats, happy single, full of self love, and dropped out of high school :).’
The footage then cut to the teenager smiling alongside the caption: ‘Now: finally moved out of the hell house, had a spiritual awakening, own 2 cats, happy single, full of self love, and dropped out of high school :).’
Although the teen didn’t specify any particular issues with her previous home, a source claimed that the root of the problem were her mother’s rules.
‘Denise set normal rules that any parent would be setting. She’s a mom and a parent and there are rules. Sami didn’t want to follow the rules.’
Meanwhile, Charlie’s more laid-back parenting style seems to work much better for his daughter. ‘Charlie didn’t support implementing Denise’s rules. He has a different way of parenting and Sami decided to live with her dad.’
Strict parent: Although the teen didn’t specify any particular issues with her previous home, a source claimed that the root of the problem were her mother’s rules: Richards pictured with husband Aaron Phypers, 49, Sami (left) and Lola
Happy: Denise married Aaron Phypers in 2018. Together, they share 10-year-old adopted daughter Eloise Joni (center)
In October 2021 a source told PEOPLE that ‘everything is a big party’ at Sheen’s house. ‘She [Richards] would love for the kids, when she has to film, to stay in her nice house but they go to “Wonderland” where they can get anything they want.’
The insider went on to say, ‘There’s no homework — it’s ice cream and movies and staying up late. There isn’t the same structure going on over there. It’s a lot more fun than staying at home and finishing school and doing normal activities with your friends.’
However, another source gave a different angle of the situation saying, ‘Charlie is a terrific dad and his daughters adore him. They enjoy being with him.’
The insider added, ‘Charlie is a strict father but fair. The girls have rules at Charlie’s house, which includes homework and curfew. The girls are polite and smart and funny and a joy to be with.’
Rules: ‘Denise set normal rules that any parent would be setting. She’s a mom and a parent and there are rules. Sami didn’t want to follow the rules,’ a source revealed; Richards pictured with the girls on June 8, 2008 in Westwood, California
Fun dad: Last year a source told PEOPLE that ‘everything is a big party’ at Sheen’s house. ‘There’s no homework — it’s ice cream and movies and staying up late. There isn’t the same structure going on over there’; Sheen, Richards and their daughters pictured on June 23, 2012 in NY
Sami’s shocking allegations didn’t come out of nowhere. In July, the teen posted a video claiming that her mom tried to kick her out of the house.
Denise also touched on the subject of her parenting struggles, and her rebellious teenage daughter, during one of the episodes on the Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills.
She said: ‘I’m struggling with parenting right now with my teenagers. Sami, I think sometimes she does things hoping to get a reaction out of me. It’s not easy.’
Charlie told Us Weekly magazine via his representative Jeff Ballard: ‘Sam’s amazing. I love her and all my children unconditionally. We’re having a ball. GED here we come.’
Sheen and Richards split in 2005 when she was pregnant with Lola and finalized their divorce in 2006.
Denise married Aaron Phypers in 2018. Together, they share 10-year-old adopted daughter Eloise Joni.
Better times: Sheen and Richards split in 2005 when she was pregnant with Lola and finalized their divorce in 2006; Pictured on January 29, 2004 in Westwood, California