In your 20s, it feels like you’ve got everything figured out. You’re old enough to be independent, go out, and explore the world, yet young enough to not have any of the responsibilities that tie you down. But when we become parents, everything changes. For Paris Hilton and Nicole Ritchie, motherhood made them realize something profound about themselves, and it’s something that resonates for many.
The Simple Life alums appeared on today’s episode of The Drew Barrymore Show, where host Drew Barrymore opened up about the odd experience of reconnecting with old friends and feeling that “ebb and flow from feeling like a kid playing house to an adult.” (This is exactly how I feel when I hang out with my childhood best friend now that we are both in our 30s and moms of three.)
Richie, who is mom to daughter Harlow, 16, and son Sparrow, 15, with husband Joel Madden, responded, “Totally because I clearly am not my kids’ age.” She continued, “I know that when I see them, I’m not my sister’s age who she’s in her early twenties and when I’m with her, I know that I’m not that person, but I very much sometimes forget that I am the actual adult because I feel the same at times. And so it’s tricky.” There’s nothing like hanging around teenagers to remind you how very far removed you are from that stage of life!
Then, Barrymore asked Hilton if she “felt like a grown up” now that she’s mom to son Phoenix, 22 months, and daughter London, 13 months, with husband Carter Reum. “For me I feel grown up definitely with the babies, but I’m such a kid at heart that I don’t feel grown up in some ways,” the “Stars Are Blind” singer shared. “But you have to because you’re a parent. But at the same time, I feel like I’ll just always have that kid at heart my entire life.”
It’s such a strange feeling when you realize you’re the adult in the room, isn’t it? But knowing other moms go through the same things helps, which Barrymore confirmed when she responded, “OK, that just made me feel very settled about my life.” Same!
The Paris & Nicole: The Encore stars opened up about parenting in a recent interview with Glamour. Richie opened up about raising teenagers, which she called “so wild and fun.” “I just so clearly remember what it’s like to be a teenager. It feels like it happened yesterday for me,” she explained. “And they know everything I did. I knew before I had them that I was going to have to be transparent with them about who I was. And I’ve actually found freedom in that. I didn’t want my kids having some big discovery about me. And I’ve always been very open and honest with my kids and hope that they are open and honest with me.”
In the same interview, Hilton talked about how different having kids was from what she expected. “It’s been life-changing,” she said. “They’re just such little angels and have really changed my whole world, and just make me realize what’s most important in life. It’s love on another level, which I didn’t know I could feel. I’m just so grateful for them every day. They’re just so precious and smart and fun. They’re the cutest things on the planet.”
These women are absolutely glowing talking about motherhood, and it’s so heart-warming to hear. For more, tune in to Hilton and Richie’s full appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show today, Dec. 12.
These iconic TV moms always had the best parenting advice.
Leave a Comment