Popular Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie has said that even though she now has six kids, she never expected she would be anyone’s mother.
While guest-editing a special edition of Time‘s Parents newsletter, Jolie talked about her decision to become a parent, shedding light on the most difficult thing for her about starting a family.
The 44-year-old who shares children Maddox (18), Pax (16), Zahara (15), Shiloh (13), and twins Knox and Vivienne (11) with ex-husband Brad Pitt, stated that for her loving wasn’t hard but knowing that she needed to be the one to make sure that everything was okay was the hard part.
“I was not a very stable youth. In fact, I never thought I could b3 anyone’s mom. I remember the decision to become a parent. It wasn’t hard to love. It wasn’t hard to dedicate myself to someone and something greater than my life.
What was hard was knowing that from now on I needed to be the one to make sure everything was okay. To manage it and make it work. From food to school to medical. Whatever would come. And to be patient.
I realized I stopped my constant daydreaming, instead staying always ready for any break into what I was doing or thinking to answer a need.”
Talking about the COVID-19 pandemic, Jolie said she was thinking about parents isolating at home with their children, pointing out how impossible it was for them to be perfect.
“I think of all the mothers and fathers with children at home. All hoping they can do everything right, answer all needs, and stay calm and positive. One thing that has helped me is to know that it’s impossible.
It’s a lovely thing to discover that your children don’t want you perfect. They just want you honest. And doing your best.
In fact, the more room they have to be great where you are weak, the stronger they may become. They love you. They want to help you. So, in the end, it’s the team you build. And in a way, they are raising you up too. You grow together.”
