Matt Damon has opened up about the one “non-negotiable” family rule he strictly follows with his wife, Luciana, and their four daughters as the couple prepare to become empty nesters.
The Oscar-winning Good Will Hunting Star revealed that no matter how busy life gets, sitting down to a family dinner every night is an absolute must in their household, a tradition that has remained unchanged throughout his children’s upbringing.
speaks to PEOPLE in an interview published on Friday, the 55-year-old actor admitted that although the night rule was established to guarantee quality time with his daughters – 27-year-old Alexia, 20-year-old Isabella, 17-year-old Gia and 15-year-old Stella, it is not always perfect.
Damon admitted that outside distractions sometimes creep in, noting that they all have room for improvement when it comes to keeping work off the dinner table.
He recalled an eye-opening moment when one of his daughters pointed out that they hadn’t actually spoken during the previous evening’s meal.
Damon explained that it made him realize how easy it is to get lost in a daily routine and forget the very reason the tradition was started in the first place, calling it a lesson in family “mindfulness” that they’re all actively working on.
The Bourne identity the actor shared that he and Luciana are firmly embracing the reality that their daughters will soon all be grown and out of the house.
With the empty nest phase looming, the pair do everything they can to make the most of their remaining time under one roof.
Damon explained that they’ve had many open conversations about presence and trying to stay grounded in the present, noting that since it’s impossible to slow down time, the only real solution is to be truly and fully immersed in it.
