Christina Ricci Opens Up About Balancing Motherhood And Career
Actress Christina Ricci, known for her roles in various films and TV shows, recently shared her insights on the challenges of being a working mom. In a candid conversation on the Let’s Be Clear with Shannen Doherty podcast, Christina revealed how her work commitments, particularly during the filming of Yellowjackets, impacted her relationship with her daughter, Cleopatra, who recently turned 2.
“Last year I was commuting back and forth to Vancouver for Yellowjackets. She didn’t know me. We had no bond. So that was very upsetting,” Christina said, reflecting on the strain caused by her busy schedule on her family life.
Christina, who shares Cleopatra with her husband Mark Hampton, also has a son, Freddie, 9, from her previous marriage. She disclosed the challenges of managing her career while ensuring her children feel supported and connected.
“My kids do not like it when I travel. When I’m away, I try to take my son with me as much as I can,” Christina explained, emphasizing her efforts to maintain a sense of closeness despite the demands of her work. However, she acknowledged the financial constraints of bringing her entire family along on work trips, especially as a series regular.
In her words, “If you’re a series regular, you have to pay for everything, so I can’t… every time I go up and down, I can’t pay for four people, four flights, you know, and the rooms that you would need and all…it’s just too expensive to travel with everybody all the time.”
Despite the difficulties of juggling work and family life, Christina emphasized her commitment to finding a balance. “I try to get back as often as I can,” she shared.
“I think really the thing that I learned, especially with my son, is mixing him into my work life. Why can’t he come for the weekend to a convention and see what it’s like?” she added.
Reflecting on her past experiences as a mother, Christina revealed the contrasting support she received from her ex-husband and her current partner. While she faced challenges with her first child, Freddie, Christina expressed gratitude for Hampton’s unwavering support during her return to work after Cleopatra’s birth.
“I went and shot Wednesday in Romania when she was 2 months old, and Mark did every single night all night long. Like I just slept and worked the next day, and it made such a huge difference,” she recalled, underscoring the importance of having a supportive partner in navigating the complexities of parenthood and career obligations.
