Angelina Jolie is a fascinating woman. and her motherhood journey has been a joy to watch. In a candid interview with HELLO!, the actress and activist opened up about how the dynamic with her children has changed now that they are teenagers.
The mom to Maddox, 18, Pax, 15, Zahara, 14, Shiloh, 13, Vivienne and Knox, 11, just sent her oldest son off to college in South Korea and it has given her a new appreciation for raising teens.
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Angelina Jolie: Raising Teenagers Helped Me Rediscover Myself
“When your children are little you feel more ‘mommy’. When they are teenagers you start to remember yourself as a teenager. You see them going to punk clubs and you wonder why you can’t go. I’m in this fun moment where I’m rediscovering myself,” she said.
She went on to explain how she navigates the ever-evolving challenges of being a mother of six. “As they grow up, I find my children are strong individuals but still open-minded. I try to lead by example and be kind and gracious, as my mother was—and loving and tolerant. But when there’s a fight that needs to be had, get in there.”
When asked about what values she strives to instill in her children, Angelina touched on the importance of giving back. “It’s important to be humble—know the freedoms you have and what you’ve been blessed with and make sure you help others. And always remember your place—we’re all human and very flawed. We’re tiny pieces in a much bigger world.”
Meanwhile, Angelina’s ex-husband, Brad Pitt, is also making headlines, although probably the kind he’d rather avoid.
Us Weekly reports that Maddox, who just started college in South Korea, recently opened up about his strained relationship with his father.
A reporter asked Maddox if he expected his father, Brad, to visit him at college. “I don’t know about that [or] what’s happening.”
Maddox also answered a question about the possibility of his relationship with Pitt being over, saying, “Well, whatever happens, happens.”
Embed from Getty ImagesAllegedly, an altercation occurred between Brad and Maddox on a private plane in 2016, and that altercation is often cited as the catalyst for Brad and Angelina’s split.
Angelina and Brad separated in 2016 after more than a decade of marriage. Their custody battle is ongoing.
Do you agree with Angelina Jolie that raising teenagers is more fun than raising young children? Sound off in the comments!