Drew Barrymore Reflects on Parenting Without a Traditional Family Structure

Drew Barrymore, 50, recently shared her honest thoughts on navigating motherhood after her 2016 divorce from Will Kopelman, PEOPLE reported. The actress discussed raising her two daughters, Olive, 12, and Frankie, 10, during a March 21 episode of "The Drew Barrymore Show." She spoke with Moon Zappa, daughter of Frank Zappa, about Zappa's new parenting book and the challenges they faced.

Barrymore first posed a reflective question about motherhood. "Do you think that we also are so determined to be these capable moms?" she asked. After Zappa agreed, Barrymore expressed her feelings. She mentioned that her experience left her feeling "very devastated" because it deviated from her childhood expectations. "I swore I would create a traditional family dynamic for my kids, as I did not grow up that way," she revealed.

In her conversation, Barrymore acknowledged lacking a stable home life. Recalling her school days, she shared feelings of jealousy towards other kids with hands-on parents. "I remember all the kids at school calling their parents when they were sick, and I could never reach anyone," she said. Her words reflected longing for a family dynamic she didn't experience.

In a January appearance on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," Barrymore offered insights about her daughters. "They’re really, really good. Every day and hour is different, and they’re my compass," she stated. Her prior life quickly changed after becoming a mother, embodying purpose and direction.

When discussing the births of her daughters, Barrymore felt a deep obligation to provide a better upbringing than she had. "Upon discovering Olive's birth, it felt karmically right. I thought, ‘Ok, I’m having a girl,’" she recalled.

Learning she would have Frankie humbled her significantly. "It struck me that my purpose is to raise girls," she shared. "The experiences of my life became a mission to create something better."

Barrymore reflected on her upbringing as a single-parent child, acknowledging fear and uncertainty about family dynamics. "Without the example of a perfect family, the challenge intensified," she noted. After several years, she developed confidence, essential for her role as a mother.

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