Brenda Song Shares How ‘Home Alone’ Inspired Safety Lesson for Her and Macaulay Culkin’s Kids
Brenda Song is giving her kids some suite life lessons.
The Suite Life of Zack & Cody alum revealed that she and fiancé Macaulay Culkin recently showed their sons Dakota, 4, and Carson, 3, his 1990 movie Home Alone for the first time—and used the viewing as a way to warn against strangers.
“They love all the hijinks and the traps and stuff,” Brenda told E! News’ The Rundown host Erin Lim Rhodes. “They have no real concept [of the danger]. My oldest gets it more than my younger son.”
But that innocence didn’t stop the 37-year-old from capitalizing on the Christmas classic’s storyline to win favor with her kids.
“I remember at the end going, ‘See, your mama’s here right next to you. Don’t you want to give me a hug? I didn’t leave,’” she continued. “I’m so terrible, but I feel like your children have to be a little scared. Fear goes a long way.”
Indeed, Brenda—whose new movie Operation Taco Gary’s is in theaters Feb. 27—has been making sure to teach her and Macaulay’s sons the concept of “stranger danger” to keep them safe.
“I said, ‘They’re a stranger if you don’t know their name,’” she explained. “I was like, ‘It doesn’t matter if they’re someone’s parents. If you don’t know their name, or you’ve never seen them before at our house, they are a stranger.’”
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Plus, the Running Point actress seizes every opportunity to build her kids’ safety skills, even during simple outings like running errands.
“Everywhere we go, I’m like, ‘How do we get home?’” she shared. “Every building we go in, like, ‘How did we get here? How do we get out?’ I was teaching them exit signs.”
As for how Macaulay feels about Brenda’s insistence on safety, however, she admitted, “My partner thinks I’m absolutely crazy about it.”
Brenda’s new movie Operation Taco Gary’s is in theaters Feb. 27, and catch more of her interview on The Rundown next week.
For a look back at some of her and Macaulay’s cutest pics through the years, keep reading…
Macaulay Culkin/Instagram
So ’90s
Macaulay Culkin and Brenda Song were on theme at Billie Lourd‘s 33rd birthday party in July 2025.
Brenda Song/Instagram
8 Years Strong
Brenda shared this sweet photo on the couple’s eighth anniversary in June 2025, writing on Instagram, “There is still no one who makes me laugh or smile like the way you do. No one who makes me feel more seen, heard or loved.”
“My partner in crime, my adventure partner, my best friend, my baby daddy, my favorite everything- thank you,” she added. “To be loved by you is the greatest privilege.”
Instagram/Brenda Song
Go Rams
Macaulay and Brenda were decked out in their favorite football team’s colors in 2024.
Olivia Wong/Getty Images
Date Night
The couple stepped out for a rare red carpet date at a Clarins product launch party in Los Angeles in March 2024.
Instagram/Macaulay Culkin
Fun in Cabo
The couple celebrated Brenda’s 36th birthday in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, in 2024.
Instagram/Macaulay Culkin
Poolside Service
Macaulay purchased a resort tshirt and pretended to be a resort employee, offering Brenda a towel as she lounged poolside.
Instagram/Macaulay Culkin
Bellhop
He also played bellhop and carried her bags, much to Brenda’s confusion and amusement.
Amy Sussman/Getty Images
Meet Dakota
The two appeared with their son Dakota at Macaulay’s star ceremony on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in December 2023.
Amy Sussman/Getty Images
Hi Baby
Macaulay and Brenda’s baby boy Carson also made an appearance at the ceremony.
Amy Sussman/Getty Images
Star Power
The couple were all smiles at the family event.
Instagram/Brenda Song
Trick or Treat
In 2023, the Home Alone star got into the spooky season spirit as Brenda passed out candy.
Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Ghetto Film School
Black & White Style
The duo appeared at the GFS Fall Benefit in Santa Monica, Calif., in October 2023.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Stand Up To Cancer
They’re Getting Hitched
In January 2022, a source confirmed to E! News that Brenda and Macaulay were engaged. The actress showed off her engagement ring while stepping out in Beverly Hills.
Heart Day
“Hoppy Valentine’s day everyone!” Brenda shared on Instagram in 2020, when celebrating with Macaulay in the water.
Splash News
Take Me Away
While strolling through Friedrichshain in Berlin in 2018, the couple displayed some PDA by holding hands.
culkamania / Instagram
Proud Parents
In 2022, the couple celebrated their son Dakota’s first birthday with a visit to Sesame Place San Diego. Calling it a “magical” affair, Brenda wrote on her Instagram alongside a snap of herself and Macaulay posing with Elmo, “We had so much fun!”
Birthday Bash
“Happy 40th birthday to this magical being,” Brenda wrote to Macaulay on Instagram in 2020. “I could sit here and write endlessly about how wonderful, kind, loving, genuine, loyal, honest, brilliant and hilarious you are, and how grateful I am that I get to share and do this life thing with you. But firstly, that would take me an eternity and secondly, you won’t even see this because you don’t ever use instagram. Hahaha. My unicorn that I never thought could exist, I am luckiest person in the world because I am loved by you.”
Biggest Cheerleader
“Guys, I did a podcast with my favorite bunny—podcasters and just 2 of my favorite people,” Brenda shared online when supporting her boyfriend’s podcast back in April 2018. “@bunnyearspodcast aaaand the one and only @mattbennett!”
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Do-Gooders
Uniting for good! The Hollywood couple attended the 2018 Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) telecast in Los Angeles.
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