I was not a very good mother. I was always running out to do a movie or something. If I had to do it over, I would either have a career or children. I wouldn't do both unless I could work in my home. I spent 20 years feeling guilty, which is not a very nice emotion.

In the quote by Joanne Woodward, "I was not a very good mother. I was always running out to do a movie or something. If I had to do it over, I would either have a career or children. I wouldn't do both unless I could work in my home. I spent 20 years feeling guilty, which is not a very nice emotion," she reflects on the challenges she faced as a working mother in the entertainment industry. Woodward, an accomplished actress, acknowledges that balancing her career and motherhood was difficult, and she feels regret over not being able to dedicate more time to her children. The admission that she was “always running out” to work highlights the conflict she experienced between her professional ambitions and the demands of being a mother.

Woodward’s statement also reveals a sense of guilt about not being able to fully meet the expectations of motherhood while pursuing her acting career. She openly admits that if given the chance to do it again, she would make a choice between having a career or children, as she found it challenging to excel in both areas simultaneously. Her suggestion that she would work from home if possible speaks to the desire for more balance and flexibility, allowing her to both care for her children and pursue her passion for acting.

The mention of spending 20 years feeling guilty underscores the emotional weight that Woodward carried for much of her life. Guilt is a powerful emotion, and her acknowledgment of it highlights the difficult internal struggle many working mothers face when trying to juggle the demands of family and career. This feeling of guilt is something Woodward wishes she could have avoided, but it speaks to the societal pressures that often exist around motherhood and success.

Ultimately, Woodward’s quote sheds light on the complexities of being a working mother, especially in a demanding career like acting. Her reflection serves as a candid exploration of the challenges and regrets that can come with trying to excel in both family life and a professional career. It also highlights the deep emotional toll that feelings of guilt can have over time, particularly when trying to meet personal and societal expectations.