Why Claire Danes Felt “Shame” Over Having Baby at Age 44

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Claire Danes isn’t immune to so-called societal expectations.

Claire Danes, known for her role in Homeland, recently shared her thoughts on becoming a mother again in July 2023. She and her husband, Hugh Dancy, welcomed their 2-year-old daughter, and Danes admitted that having a baby at age 44 wasn’t something she had previously imagined.

She recalled the experience on the November 17th episode of the Smartless podcast, saying, “I felt so young at the time, I didn’t believe it could happen. I was really scared, but everything turned out alright.”

The 46-year-old woman was surprised to become pregnant, as she hadn’t expected it at all. While she’s happy to welcome the new baby, she’s also been honest about the unexpected mix of feelings she’s experienced.

She described feeling unexpectedly ashamed. She realized she’d gone further in a sexual encounter than she intended, and it felt strange and revealing. It was like she’d crossed a boundary she hadn’t fully recognized, and that felt exhilarating.

Now that Claire is comfortable being a mom to three children—including sons Cyrus, 12, and Rowan, 7, whom she shares with Hugh—the Emmy-winning actress is struck by how different each of her kids is at their current age.

She explained that her children are quite a ways apart in age, about five years each, and described raising them as quite an experience, with one being a teenager and the other a toddler.

Before her third child arrived, Claire shared that her sons weren’t thrilled when she told them they were getting a new brother or sister.

I was chatting with Miley on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon earlier this year, and she shared something really relatable. She basically said she’s accepted that things can’t get much worse – and the source of all the chaos? Her son, Rowan! It’s funny how motherhood can put things into perspective, right?

Meanwhile, Rowan was more vocally opposed to becoming a big brother.

Claire continued, explaining that her son had been told, ‘Once you’ve outgrown your baby items, we’ll donate them to a family who needs them.’ He wasn’t very happy about the idea.

Luckily, the actress from My So-Called Life discovered a surprising way to get her son interested in the fact that she was expecting a baby.

She playfully explained that newborns aren’t very knowledgeable, and her partner found it amusing to think of himself as someone who could teach and guide the baby. This realization actually made him feel more positive about becoming a father.

To see what more celebrity moms have said about parenthood, keep reading.

Khloe Kardashian often expresses her love for motherhood through the heartwarming messages she shares publicly about her daughter, True.

The Keeping Up With the Kardashians star posted on Instagram, expressing her gratitude for being a mother. She wrote, “I’m so thankful I got to be your mommy, and I’ll never take that for granted! I love you, Tutu, forever!”

Kim Kardashian is the proud mama to four kids who she values above all else.

She wrote on her website about the deep and unwavering love she has for her children, explaining that she’ll always be there for them, no matter what path they take. She also shared that having children herself has given her a new appreciation for the strong connection she shared with her own parents growing up.

Raising kids definitely has its challenges, but I always end up learning a lot from them. Being a mom is the most fulfilling and important thing I do.

The billionaire talked to Kim about how often she thinks of her daughter, Stormi.

Kylie explained to Kim that thinking about the future has become more important to her since becoming a mother. Whenever she has to leave her child and feels anxious, she reminds herself she’s doing it for them. While people say motherhood changes you completely, Kylie feels she’s still the same person, but even better.

A mother of three told Parents magazine about her approach to parenting, sharing her thoughts while she was pregnant with her second child.

Okay, seriously, Kourtney gets it. She says being a mom is the best thing ever, her absolute favorite role, and honestly, I feel that so deeply! She says it completely changed her, like she finally figured out what truly matters – spending time with her kids. It’s just… everything. She hopes everyone else realizes that’s what life should be about, and that it’s okay if things aren’t picture-perfect all the time. It’s so real and refreshing to hear her say that!

Kristin Cavallari recently shared what it’s like being a mom to her three children in an interview with Modeliste Magazine, as reported by People.

Honestly, becoming a mom has completely changed my life. It sounds cliché, but it’s true! I feel so much more fulfilled and like I finally know who I am. Having these three incredible kids has given me a real sense of purpose, and it’s like a whole new world has opened up to me. I’m just overflowing with love now.

Shay Mitchell gave a candid interview to Vogue on the stresses and expectations of being a mom.

She confessed she was feeling very stressed and anxious. She’d been warned by friends that she would likely question her decisions and feel bad about leaving her child.

As a mom, I totally get the feeling of needing a little ‘me time’ to build confidence! I’ve been working on really prioritizing those moments to prepare myself mentally, reminding myself that I can handle motherhood. It’s been so helpful to realize I’m not alone – so many women have felt exactly the same way, and they’ve all figured it out. It’s about taking a breath, getting grounded, and saying, ‘Okay, I’ve got this!’

Duff recently shared with TopMob News that while she strives for balance, some months are more challenging than others. She prioritizes her son, Luca, above all else, and always considers whether she can manage her commitments while still giving him the attention and care he needs. She does her best to juggle everything, acknowledging that it’s not always perfect.

With two children, Hilary Duff is definitely juggling a lot, but she seems to be handling it all with grace and style!

The incredibly talented singer inspires many people, and it’s wonderful to learn she also prioritizes being a strong role model for her kids.

She explained that she finally understood her purpose in life, and the most important thing to her was to instill values in her daughter. She believed the best way to do this wasn’t through lectures, but by being a good role model.

Anne Hathaway revealed she received fantastic parenting advice from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle!

She explained to The Sunday Times that parents who kneel or sit to be at their child’s eye level help their children feel more confident and in control. She found this approach particularly effective and began using it with her own son, Jonathan.

The actress from The Mindy Project is a mother, and she once shared a touching thought about her own mother.

Kaling explained that while she often calls her mother her role model, that phrase doesn’t fully capture how much she means to her. She simply described her mother as ‘the love of my life.’

Vanessa shared that they’d often discussed raising a daughter, imagining the lessons they’d impart—like how to become a strong, confident, and independent woman who feels deeply loved.

Although Mila Kunis often portrays a rebellious character in films, she’s actually a wonderful mother to her two children, and she says they’ve completely transformed her perspective on life.

I’ve really shifted my priorities recently,” the actress explained during an interview for her movie Bad Moms. “I spent my twenties focused on myself – and that’s okay, I don’t regret it. But having a child made me want to be more giving and selfless.

Megan Fox has a sweet parenting style. She shares three sons – Noah, Bodhi, and Journey – with her former husband, Brian Austin Green, and a daughter named Saga with her ex-fiancé, Machine Gun Kelly.

She explained to Harper’s Bazaar Arabia that she doesn’t believe in raising her children through harshness or punishment. She feels that love is enough, and describes herself as a free-spirited mother.

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are admired for their strong relationship and for raising their four children, embracing all the joys and humorous challenges of parenthood.

Being a mom definitely has its messy moments – like getting covered in baby messes! – but it’s all worth it,” the mother told NW Magazine in 2016. “Even when things are hard and I’m tired, I remind myself how lucky I am.”

A mother of six, known for her work with groups like UNICEF and as a UN Goodwill Ambassador, is dedicated to teaching her children the importance of helping others.

As a parent, it’s incredibly important to me that my kids grow up respecting everyone and building friendships with people from all walks of life. I really want them to feel connected to the world, to truly feel like citizens of it. I believe this kind of upbringing is what shapes them into well-rounded individuals, and it’s something I prioritize above all else.

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2025-11-18 21:48