Having children changed the way Emily Blunt wanted to live her day-to-day life. Together with husband John Krasinksi, and daughters Hazel, four, and Violet, two, she traded the lights and paparazzi of L.A. for a relatively quiet life in California’s Ojai.
1 // EMILY, HOW HAS MOTHERHOOD CHANGED YOU?
It’s a beautiful feeling to be able to look after your [children] and always have [them] so present in your life. I love acting and my time working with people on a film set, but I also love my life at home with my husband and daughters. It’s the best of both worlds.
2 // SINCE BECOMING A MOTHER, HAVE YOU BECOME PICKIER WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR WORK?
I want to make sure that every film I make is one that is worth my time away from our family and the beautiful time I have at home. The most important thing for me is my life with my family and friends. Film is a very volatile business where you’re up one day and down the next. I never want to allow my happiness to be determined by how well my career is doing. If you allow that to happen then you’ve lost.
“As a mother, you become a teacher from the moment your child is born. Having a child changes every cell in your body and it’s a great responsibility.”
3 // DOES MOTHERHOOD AFFECT THE WAY YOU APPROACH CERTAIN CHARACTERS?
What I’ve observed is that having a child makes you more emotionally aware and intense. You feel that you see things more closely and with greater awareness and intensity, and that enlightens you both in person and as a performer.
4 // WHAT KIND OF LESSONS WOULD YOU LIKE TO IMPART TO YOUR CHILDREN?
As a mother, you become a teacher from the moment your child is born. Having a child changes every cell in your body and it’s a great responsibility. You want your children to be confident and respectful and caring of others. It’s also important to teach your children to be bold and adventurous in life.
5 // IS JOHN GOOD IN THE HOUSE?
Yes. We’ve been very organised ever since our [first] daughter was born and he was the best at washing the bottles and making sure we always had (milk) ready in the fridge for the next day! He’s the most caring man and father.
