母亲

“我比世界上的任何孩子都爱我的孩子。他们是我生命中最重要的部分，当我和他们在一起时，我最幸福 - 我却发现了父母。I do my very best to carve out as much time to be present and active with them as possible, but I’m not entirely sure that my nerves are built for the noise, the intensity, the constant requirement to be selfless, and to remain calm. It takes everything in me not to nag them to quieten down and stop everything childish, which would obviously be devastating for their childhoods! I see other mothers who seem to find it less of a struggle. Perhaps they have grown up in bigger families or have tougher nerve endings. I have worked extremely hard to practice patience and to pause when necessary before reacting, but, on the other hand, I also have to remember to forgive myself. For instance, even when I do the ‘right thing’ and get down on the floor to play Legos, my kids can sense that it’s not the easiest thing for me. I will do it and I will stay there and engage, but somehow it’s a struggle, even if I’m pretending it’s not, and consequently they can tell. But it has taken me years and years not to feel guilty, to accept that I have limitations in that area and that I really am doing the best that I can. When I accept and forgive my own weaknesses, then I can be lighter in the moment, because I’m not trying too hard to be perfect and in the end, my kids benefit, too.”

- 在她的书中，吉尔斯和母亲，女演员和母亲到吹笛者，奥斯卡和菲利克斯我们：各地女性的宣言。