The love story of Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker, affectionately dubbed Kravis, has been the stuff of Hollywood legend. From their infamous, highly-publicized proposals and spontaneous Las Vegas moments to their extravagant, Dolce & Gabbana-designed Italian wedding, the couple has leveraged their passionate, over-the-top Public Displays of Affection (PDA) into a global brand. They are portrayed as two soulmates who found each other after years of searching, a passionate second chapter written under the harsh, bright lights of reality television.

Yet, behind the heavily filtered, designer-clad façade, whispers of deep-seated family tension have turned into a steady roar. While Kourtney is basking in the glow of her passionate marriage and new baby, her three children with ex-partner Scott Disick—Mason, Penelope, and Reign—are reportedly struggling, and in some cases, outright refusing to accept Travis as their stepdad. The children’s unwavering loyalty to their biological father, Scott Disick, who has been a constant anchor in their lives for over a decade, has created a major, unpredictable friction point in the otherwise perfect Kravis narrative.

Insiders close to the family suggest that the conflict is palpable. Behind the scenes, the children are said to be distant, resistant, and openly uncomfortable with Travis’s intense, impulsive attempts to integrate himself into a parental role. The core of their resistance is a simple, powerful declaration: “You may be Mom’s husband, but you’re not our dad.” This emotional friction not only casts a shadow over Kourtney and Travis’s life but threatens to create an irreparable rift within the wider Kardashian-Jenner clan, which thrives on a polished, united family front.

The Irreplaceable Anchor: Scott Disick’s Enduring Shadow

To grasp why Kourtney’s children are resisting Travis, one must look at the immense shadow cast by their father, Scott Disick. For over a decade, viewers watched Scott navigate his chaotic yet deeply bonded relationship with Kourtney on Keeping Up with the Kardashians. Despite their romantic relationship ending, Scott remained the undisputed, singular male figure in his children’s lives. He is the only dad Mason, Penelope, and Reign have ever known.

Mason Disick, the oldest, has experienced the most of his parents’ roller coaster. Now a teenager, he reportedly views Travis’s intrusion as a direct challenge to his father’s permanent place. Mason is described as private and fiercely loyal, much like Scott. Fans have observed that Mason is often absent from Kourtney’s social media posts that feature Travis, sparking speculation that he actively avoids the Kravis bubble and prefers to spend time with his dad to sidestep the awkwardness and family filming.
Penelope Disick, known as “P,” has always had an especially sweet and public bond with Scott, her father’s “little girl.” Sources claim Penelopey is the most vocal about her discomfort, especially with the couple’s constant PDA. On multiple occasions, fans have seen her rolling her eyes or looking away during affectionate moments between her mother and Travis, fueling speculation that she is deeply embarrassed by their behavior. Her posts and captions on social media platforms have, at times, been interpreted as subtle digs at her mother’s transformation since marrying the Blink-182 drummer.
Reign Disick, the youngest, is described as unfiltered and territorial. He is the child who reportedly reminds everyone, bluntly, “Scott is my dad,” whenever Travis attempts to exert a parental presence. During family outings, fans note that Reign often clings to Scott, showing little interest in engaging with Travis, a heartbreaking sign for Kourtney that her youngest is also rejecting her new family dynamic.

Scott Disick himself has not made the transition easy. He was openly distraught after Kourtney’s engagement, confessing on The Kardashians that he felt like he had “lost my best friend.” That pain was widely broadcast, and it naturally influences how his children perceive Travis. If their father is hurting, their loyalty dictates they should not embrace the man they see as the cause of that pain. Gossip outlets suggest Scott, consciously or unconsciously, fuels the tension by constantly making grand gestures, staying visible, and ensuring the children understand he is the one who really cares, keeping himself at the emotional center of their world.

Eagerness vs. Patience: The Rocker’s Costly Mistake

Travis Barker is, by nature, intense and impulsive. His approach to stepfatherhood mirrored his romance: all-in, loud, and immediate. He showered the children with gifts, tried to immerse them in his world of punk rock music, and spoke publicly about how much he loved being a stepdad.

However, for children still adjusting to their parents’ divorce and fiercely loyal to their biological father, Travis’s enthusiasm came across less like love and more like pressure. His punk-rock aesthetic, his pervasive tattoos, and his need to express love constantly and loudly—a lifestyle that suits a rockstar—simply clash with the quieter, more reserved nature of Kourtney’s children. Being a parent, whether biological or step, requires immense patience and space for children to adjust, two qualities that are arguably not Travis’s strong suits.

Instead of a smooth blending, the Kardashian-Barker household is reportedly a zone of emotional friction. Kim and Khloé Kardashian have voiced concern over how Scott’s ongoing presence complicates Kourtney’s marriage, and Kris Jenner, the family matriarch, reportedly worries that Scott’s role will continue to overshadow Travis, preventing any true blended family unity from ever forming. The entire family is locked in a difficult balance: Kourtney is madly in love, but she cannot ignore the deep, enduring, and now highly visible bond her children share with their father.

The public scrutiny of this dynamic is constant. Every interaction the children have with Travis, and every shade-throwing post from Penelopey on social media, is dissected as a clue. The narrative is consistent: Scott is dad; Travis is just mom’s impulsive new husband. This tension is the biggest crack in Kourtney’s carefully curated fairy tale marriage, a raw, messy, and unpredictable saga that no amount of money, fame, or even passionate love can easily mend. The kids are saying loudly and clearly what Hollywood doesn’t want to hear: they are not ready for a replacement.