Actress and talk show host Drew Barrymore recently opened up about parenting struggles and overcoming childhood fears, offering heartfelt advice to parents navigating their own past experiences. During an episode of The Drew Barrymore Show, the actress was asked if she had any parenting wisdom to share.
In response, she reflected on how one’s upbringing—no matter how flawed—does not define the kind of parent they will become. Barrymore, who has spoken openly about her tumultuous childhood, encouraged parents not to let past experiences dictate their parenting journey.
“If your past makes you nervous as a parent because you didn’t have a big foundation of your own parents, or maybe even if you made mistakes along the way, that doesn’t mean that’s the kind of parent you will be,” Barrymore reassured.
As a mother to two daughters, aged 10 and 12, the Never Been Kissed star revealed that she once lived with intense fear and anxiety, determined to avoid repeating the mistakes of her own childhood. “I wanted so badly for things to be different that I lived in fear and a lot of anxiety,” she admitted.
She recalled how discussions about family traditions used to make her feel alienated, as she had little understanding of such customs. “When people or your family talked to you about things, I was like, ‘What are you talking about?’” she said, reflecting on the disconnect she once felt.
However, Barrymore shared that becoming a parent allowed her to realize she had the power to break those cycles. She now takes comfort in knowing that her daughters do not have to endure the struggles she faced growing up. “They don’t have to go through what I went through,” she emphasized. Her key takeaway for parents was the reassurance that they are capable of building a new, healthier blueprint for their children, regardless of their own past.
“If you want to build a new blueprint from your own past and life experience, it is totally possible,” she concluded. Barrymore’s candid discussion resonated with many, as she continues to use her platform to share personal experiences and inspire others. Through her openness, she reminds parents that growth and change are always within reach and that the past does not have to shape the future.