Hollywood actor Drew Barrymore opened up about her struggles as a mother and how she handles mom guilt in the latest segment of “Dear Drew” on Entertainment Tonight. 

The 46-year-old actor responded to Mother’s Day-themed questions from fans and got candid about her experience as a mother on Mother’s Day. “I didn’t expect to feel like I was in such a fight or flight mode for a very long period of time. I thought it would be a little more romantic and cozy, and instead, I was just terrified,” she said. 

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Barrymore has two daughters Olive, 8, and Frankie, 7, with her ex-husband Will Kopelman.

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On being asked about the one thing she did not expect when she became a mother, the 46-year-old actor said she had thought it would be “a little more romantic and cozy”, but instead she was just “terrified.” “I was so under-slept, I couldn’t eat, I was nervous all the time, and no one really talked about how intimidating and overwhelming it can be… so I wasn’t really prepared for that,” she added.

Another viewer, who revealed that during the pandemic they felt a lot of mom guilt, questioned the ‘First 50 Dates’ actor how she plans “alone time” without feeling guilty.

“I find I’m good to squeeze in alone time, me time when they’re busy. That helps absolve the guilt,” she replied.  “Like while they’re in school or at a playdate, and somehow that feels a little less guilty,” she added.

She called on parents to follow their gut, instead of others’ views. “The only advice I have for a mom to be present is when she is by herself. That’s when they should be present!”