Drew Barrymore Gets Emotional as She Reflects on the Impact of Her Troubled Childhood on Motherhood

Drew Barrymore, the 46-year-old actress, became teary-eyed while discussing how her difficult childhood has influenced her journey as a mother.

The emotional moment occurred during an episode of Dear Media's Raising Good Humans podcast on Friday.

During the conversation about boundaries with host Dr. Aliza Pressman, Drew admitted that the word “boundaries” triggers deep emotions within her.

When Dr. Pressman asked for more details, the 50 First Dates star opened up about her vulnerability and the emotional weight associated with the topic.

Through tears, Drew revealed that ever since her children were born, she has encountered discussions about boundaries from other parents, schools, and society.

However, the concept is foreign to her because she did not grow up with clear boundaries herself.

This lack of experience and understanding has left her feeling ill-equipped to navigate the subject.

The talk show host shared, “It just… it's a word that's thrown around with such confidence and at times, arrogance.

Many people assume that it's something you should already know.”

These assumptions have added to the challenge of grasping and implementing boundaries in her own life.

Drew shares two daughters, Olive and Frankie, with her ex-husband Will Kopelman.

In a recent appearance on CBS Mornings, she also expressed her emotions while discussing the difficulties of dating as a single mother with Queer Eye star Bobby Berk.

In November 2021, Drew spoke to The Mail on Sunday and revealed that her tumultuous upbringing in a fractured family has actually made her a better mother.

The actress explained that her worst fear was going through a divorce, as it reminded her of the pain she experienced growing up.

At the age of nine, Drew's parents divorced, leaving her father, actor John Drew Barrymore, absent from her life due to his struggles with alcoholism.

Her mother, Jaid, an aspiring actress, was not prepared for motherhood, which resulted in a challenging environment for Drew.

Drew's early fame, thanks to her role in Steven Spielberg's ET, led to substance abuse issues, ultimately leading her mother to place her in a psychiatric institution at the age of 13.

This pivotal experience taught Drew the importance of boundaries, something she had never known before.

Reflecting on her unconventional upbringing, Drew shared, “I didn't have parents; I was the parent to them.

It was all totally upside-down.

So, I didn't know what I was doing.”

She admitted feeling like an outcast when people would discuss parenting with her, as she lacked the knowledge and support she desperately needed.

The pressure to be a perfect parent can be overwhelming, especially for mothers, which Drew finds confusing.

She believes that everyone is learning on the job and that there is no need for righteousness in parenting.

Despite the challenges, Drew emphasizes that she is her kids' parent, not their friend, and strives to provide love, humor, and guidance as they navigate life together.