House Rules: Ashlee Simpson on Bedtimes, Screen Time Limits and Getting Dessert Every Night

This is not a drill. Ashlee Simpson is currently back in the studio, working on her first solo album in nearly 20 years, which is slated for release in early 2027. And as a little teaser, she teamed up with Popsicle to write an ode to her favorite flavor: grape. (We know, we know: Ashlee will really keep you guessing.)

We recently sat down with Simpson to learn more about this partnership and hear a bit about the rules this mom of three imposes in her own home…and the ones that have totally gone out the window.

PureWow: Why are you teaming up with Popsicle and wait, why is grape your favorite flavor?

Ashlee Simpson: This is such a nostalgic thing for me – it just goes back to my childhood. Obviously my daughter and I are team grape. We were like: let’s just go for the underdog.

PW: We talk a lot about boundaries at PureWow. What’s one thing you’d never tolerate from your kids in your home?

AS: My kids are different ages—5, 8 and 17—but one thing I don’t tolerate [from any of them] is when anyone wants to be aggressive with their hands.

PW: What’s a rule your kids truly hate?

AS: Screen time limits: when I take the iPad away!

PW: Do your kids have bedtimes?

AS: Ugh, we have to start getting back to them. During the summer, I let them stay up watching movies, but now that school is back in session, we have to get back to bedtimes, and that’s usually like 8 or 8:30. (Although my oldest does not have a bedtime!)

PW: What rule have you completely abandoned?

AS: [Not letting] everyone sleep in my bed! That has got to be over and done with. I don’t know how I’m going to get everyone back to their own beds and on a schedule…

PW: Do your kids get dessert every night?

AS: Yeah...typically they love something sweet after dinner. But I do find that it makes it harder to get them to bed.

PW: What’s the craziest empty threat you’ve ever given?

AS: Telling them I’m going to ground them for a full week. I always give in. My husband is better than me. He’s like “stay strong.” I’m like, “I can’t! Look at them. They’re so cute!”