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‘You Have the Chance to Meet Them Again’
Watching your children grow up can be a bittersweet experience for any parent. It’s the ultimate goal of parenthood: guiding your kids to become independent individuals capable of stepping out into the world. However, there’s a tinge of sadness that accompanies their departure from the familial nest. Actress Brooke Shields has encountered this heartfelt milestone twice with her daughters, Rowan, 21, and Grier, 18. Despite the emotional challenges, Shields is embracing the positives. In a recent interview, she shared how her relationship with her daughters is evolving from a parental role to one of friendship.
“All of a sudden, they’re not yours anymore,” the Pretty Baby star told PEOPLE. “When you realize they are their own human beings, you get to meet them again. To have them reveal themselves to you, it’s a new type of relationship.”
“I didn’t mold them but I protected them enough so that they could become who they are and I got out of the way,” she added.
As a mother, Shields’ perspective is refreshingly optimistic. Many parents feel that they continually meet new versions of their children as they grow. Your little baby morphs into a playful toddler and, before you know it, they are heading off to college. Although letting go is never easy, there is something profoundly special about seeing your children mature into adults. Shields’ outlook turns this transition into an experience worth anticipating.
In the interview, Grier expressed her feelings: “I feel like we’re now friends. You still discipline us but I feel like we’re much closer.” For many daughters, recognizing their mother as a friend for the first time is an equally treasured experience. The bond doesn’t have to weaken once you leave home; on the contrary, it can grow stronger.
“I feel if you’ve done it in a healthy way, you start to revel in these people that you actually like,” Shields continued. “They go away and then they come back and I now get such a kick out of watching and listening to them.”
Earlier this week, Shields got emotional while discussing Grier’s first year at Wake Forest University, where Rowan is also a senior. “OK, so, I sat here a year ago, and I watched my big girl leave, and I’m back on this porch, and I am now officially an empty nester,” Shields said in a video, tears streaming down her face. Shields shares her daughters with her husband, Chris Henchy.
“And my little girl,” Shields said, pausing as she got emotional. “They’re together at least. But it’s really not… it’s not easy for the moms.”
In her conversation with PEOPLE, the Mother of the Bride actress articulated her confidence in her daughters. “They’re going to have each other’s back. They’re both tough and strong-willed. The world is not going to undo them. I’m proud of who they are.”
She added, “I’m going to really miss them. I want to stay on the periphery but I’m also excited about what’s ahead.”
Before you go, check out Brooke Shields’ best quotes about motherhood.
Source: PEOPLE
