Kardashian Admits Fabricating Travel Explanations For Kids

Los Angeles. Kim Kardashian says she tells her four children that their father, Kanye West, is traveling when he does not visit their home. The SKIMS founder disclosed these family dynamics in Citizen Kim, a new biography by Jonathan Van Meter that hit shelves on October 27. The book draws on hundreds of hours of interviews and conversations with associates.

Kardashian explained that she creates these narratives to shield North, Saint, Chicago, and Psalm from the irregularity of their father’s schedule. She described the arrangement as challenging because West comes by only every few months. Her goal is to maintain a positive image of him for the children while managing her own worry throughout the day.

Communication between the ex-spouses often bypasses direct contact. Kardashian stated that she frequently coordinates through West’s wife, Bianca Censori, or his manager. This indirect channel has allowed for continued family time, including a recent Christmas celebration where Kardashian invited Censori to join the holiday plans. She continues to extend invitations for West to come over, keeping the door open for in-person interaction.

The couple’s legal separation began with Kardashian filing for divorce in February 2021. They were declared legally single in March 2022 and reached a settlement in November of that year. The agreement established joint custody of their four children. The split followed years of public attention on West’s bipolar disorder, which Kardashian linked to financial uncertainty and instability within the household.

Kardashian first began dating West in 2012 and gave birth to their daughter North the next year. They married in Florence, Italy, on May 24, 2014. In October 2025, she discussed the impact of the marriage on her mental health in an interview on Call Her Daddy. She described leaving as a necessary step to be more present for her children during periods of West’s illness.

West has also addressed his diagnosis publicly. In January 2026, he placed a full-page advertisement in The Wall Street Journal. In that statement, he described a four-month manic episode in early 2025. He connected his regretted behavior to his bipolar I diagnosis while noting that the condition did not excuse his actions. The new biography traces Kardashian’s career in fashion and business alongside her advocacy for criminal justice reform, extending beyond the narrative of the marriage.