If someone claims that parenting is always a delightful experience, they are either not being truthful or have never experienced it firsthand. Every parent understands that it involves a mix of joy and frustration, beauty and chaos, excitement and moments of sheer boredom. (Let’s be honest, only toddlers can endure watching the same show 47 times without losing their minds, right?) Sarah Michelle Gellar perfectly captured this sentiment in a recent interview with SheKnows, where she described motherhood as “beautiful yet stressful”—a sentiment many can relate to.
Change in Perspective
As the former star of Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Gellar’s eldest child, Charlotte, is now 14, indicating that she and her husband, Freddie Prinze Jr., have been navigating the challenges of parenthood for quite some time. Reflecting on her journey, Gellar emphasizes the shift in mindset that comes with motherhood. She notes, “Even though I was married for ten years [before Rocky was born], my husband was an adult, and I knew he could take care of himself.”
Embracing the Responsibilities
Gellar elaborates on the consuming nature of parenthood, where the constant worry for your children becomes all-encompassing. She acknowledges the overwhelming feeling of suddenly being responsible for these little lives 24⁄7, a sentiment many parents can relate to. Despite the beauty of the experience, the challenges are undeniably real.
Gellar candidly shares her perspective on the evolving challenges of parenting, noting that each phase presents its own set of difficulties. She humorously remarks, “That’s what’s funny about the challenges of being a parent… it always seems like the hardest part. And then you get to the next part, and you’re like, ‘Oh, this is harder.’ I don’t think it ever changes.”
Navigating the Digital Age
Gellar and her husband are now confronted with the challenges of raising children in the digital era. She acknowledges the absence of a definitive roadmap in navigating this terrain, highlighting the steep learning curve they face. Setting boundaries, such as regulating screen time, has become a crucial aspect of their parenting approach.
Leading by Example
Gellar underscores the importance of setting a positive example for their children, emphasizing quality family time without distractions. By prioritizing face-to-face interactions and limiting technology usage during shared activities like meals and homework, Gellar and Prinze aim to instill healthy tech habits in their kids.
Embracing Tech Breaks
Gellar’s advocacy for technology breaks led her to partner with UScellular to promote the Global Day of Unplugging on March 1. Encouraging others to disconnect and reassess their relationship with technology, Gellar emphasizes the benefits of taking breaks from screens. By participating in this initiative, individuals can gain a fresh perspective and rediscover the beauty of being present in the moment.