Motherhood is a powerful and beautiful thing, on and off the big screen. It’s no wonder why so many movies focus on mother-child relationships to capture the attention of an audience. While some actresses have nailed motherhood roles on film, some are also nailing it in real life. There may not be any Oscars handed out for “best mom in Hollywood,” but it’s interesting to know how some celebrity mothers balance acting and parenting, and which ones really stand out.
Let’s take a look at some popular actresses who are taking on the role of a lifetime as mothers, what their journeys look like, and how they’re juggling the film industry and family at the same time.
Raising a Healthy Family
One of the best ways for celebrity mothers to balance acting and parenting is to keep their kids (mostly) out of the limelight. Many actresses choose to go this route, with some of the notable ones including:
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- Blake Lively
- Eva Mendes
- Kerry Washington
- Kate Winslet
- Alexis Bledel
- Kate Hudson
These actresses (and many others) choose to keep their kids’ identities protected, which can make their Hollywood lives feel a bit more normal. Speaking of a normal home life, some actresses make it a point to focus on the dimensions of wellness within their family. Those dimensions are:
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- Emotional wellness
- Physical wellness
- Social wellness
- Intellectual wellness
- Environmental wellness
- Spiritual wellness
- Vocational wellness
- Financial wellness
How are they doing that? Most are leading by example. One of Hollywood’s most popular leading ladies, Emily Blunt, is a great representation of focusing on many aspects of wellness in her family. Blunt has been quoted saying;
“I know I don’t want to be away from my family for long periods unless I’m very committed to a particular project, so I want to make sure that every film I make is one that is worth my time away and the kind of beautiful time I have being at home.”
Blunt has also shown off her acting abilities in a balanced way, too. Not only has she appeared in some very intense films like A Quiet Place and Sicario, but she’s also starred in Mary Poppins Returns and did voice work for a My Little Pony film – things her daughters can view and have a better understanding of their mother’s career.
Moms With a Cause
When you strip away the celebrity aspect of life, Hollywood mothers have to deal with the same struggles and setbacks as any other mom in the world. That includes children with illnesses and disabilities.
Some actresses are using their celebrity status to speak out about certain issues and raise awareness for things that might not get a lot of attention. Anna Faris is a great example of this. Her son, Jack, was born prematurely in 2012. In 2017, Faris wrote a book entitled “Unqualified,” which opened up about her son’s disabilities and struggles due to his premature birth. It was open, honest, and refreshing for other mothers of premature babies, letting them know they’re not alone and things can get easier.
Holly Robinson Peete is one of several Hollywood mothers who are advocates for autism. She and her husband started the HollyRod Foundation, dedicated to autism and Parkinson’s research. Her son Rodney was diagnosed with autism at an early age. In addition to her foundation, she also is an autism ally, even going so far as to tweet rapper 50 Cent after he used a lyric negatively referencing the disorder. Mothers who have children with autism know everything from creating a sensory-friendly home to helping with socialization can be a struggle. Celebrities aren’t immune to those issues, and it can help to feel more connected with them in these realistic ways.
Setting a Strong Example
What mother doesn’t want to be a positive influence on her children? Some actresses have used their fame as an example for their kids by showing financial stability, balancing home life, and being active philanthropists. Some actresses with daughters have made it a point to live a certain way so their girls can understand the importance of things like equal pay, hard work, and dedication. Some of the actresses who are setting positive examples for girls include:
- Reese Witherspoon
- Angelina Jolie
- Jennifer Garner
- Drew Barrymore
Are these women perfect? No. That’s part of their appeal as moms. They are often very relatable and aren’t afraid to share the struggles and setbacks in their lives. But, they also show their kids how important it is to give back and find a balance between work and family.
It’s not often easy to compare the average person’s life with that of a celebrity. But, there are some mothers in the film and television industry that make it a little easier to see that connection and set positive examples for how to balance acting and parenting – even in a stressful life. It’s one thing for an actress to be a great mom on screen. Knowing some actresses take their real-life roles just as seriously is uplifting, and can even be encouraging to “regular moms” who need to know they’re not alone