Daniel Day Lewis calls parenthood ‘a miracle’
Calling his life leading up to the point he became a father "the vast unknown," actor Daniel Day Lewis says that after the births of his sons Gabriel, 12, Ronan, 9, and Cashel, 5, he found himself "utterly changed."
I don’t think there’s a parent on this earth who would give you a different answer…The unknown reveals itself. This is in spite of your preconceived notions. Nature also kicks in, and you begin this journey that dwells in your heart.
When it comes to parenthood everyone thinks they will be terrible at it. We don’t think we have it in us. Then you find out that you do, which truly is a miracle in life.
Daniel, 50, appears to have no regrets over having had only boys.
I don’t know if I can describe my feelings about being a father in real life. In real life, I have sons. Sons are different. Sons are a pushover. Daughters can be quite difficult. At least, that’s what I hear.
Gabriel is Daniel’s son with ex-girlfriend Isabelle Adjani. Ronan and Cashel are Daniel’s children with his wife Rebecca.
Source: The Sun
- Posted on Feb 23, 08 at 8:08AM
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- 7 Comments
February 23rd, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Ugh!! I hate it when people say that girls are more difficult to raise than boys. People only say that because in this society and many others we have such strict guidelines for how girls should behave. When a girl acts out even in the slightest we call it rebelling, but when it boys acts out even to the extreme we say “boys will be boys”.
If you ask me girls are harder to raise for parents who are strict disciplinarians and believe that girls should be prim and proper, but parents who realize that girls need to experience life and all of its consequences will have have it much easier.
February 23rd, 2008 at 2:39 pm
I don’t like the wording, “he appears to have no regrets about having only boys”. It’s not a choice! As the mom of soon to be 4 sons, I find the flippant “why didn’t you ever have a girl” type comments to be so callous. And, given that society is so female friendly, and seemingly anti-boy, the few things we parents of sons can say, after people tell us how we have our hands full, and roll their eyes at us, is that we have heard boys are easier….the parents of daughters and sons have told us countless times.
Sarah’s note: Missy has only boys herself, so I doubt she meant anything negative by it. Anyone have a suggestion for a better sentence? I’m taking them!
February 23rd, 2008 at 5:26 pm
I had to laugh when I read Daniel’s comment because it reminded me of my cousin and his wife, who hoped for (and received) boys because my cousin couldn’t picture himself with a daughter and his wife thought raising a girl in this world was too difficult and draining. So, they have their boys-two of the most difficult, draining children I have ever come across. Oh, the irony.
On another note, I was taking an Oscar trivia quiz on another site and had no idea Daniel is the son-in-law of Arthur Miller. Learn something new every day.
February 23rd, 2008 at 5:34 pm
Personally I think Missy’s wording is just fine. People should stop taking everything so personally!
And all Daniel is saying is he is happy with having all boys, as he THINKS girls would be harder- nothing wrong with that at all.
February 23rd, 2008 at 5:40 pm
CBB I’m glad you changed the title.
J.G. I think society is more girl friendly when it comes to babies, but by the time they become pre-teens the shift changes (and never returns) because it then becomes, “oh you’re going to have you’re work cut out for you” as if the moment a girl turns 11 she turns into a nightmare. Then again it is probably harder having a girl because look at how much girls have to put up with: body image issues, self-esteem issues the list goes on, but this has more to do with living in a sexist society than the children themselves.
I hate it that so many parents seem to think boys are easier as teenagers (prob. because they can’t get pregnant) so they let them run wild and put a leash on their daughters, and when their daughter starts trying to remove the leash they call her a problem child.
Sorry, I had to let it out. Society can be so frustrating sometimes.
Sarah’s note: We didn’t change anything…
February 23rd, 2008 at 5:54 pm
raising any child is hard. no matter what the sex, and no matter what age they are.
i love mr. day-lewis. and i don’t think he meant anything negative with his comment.
lauren, yes- isn’t that cool?! his wife rebecca miller is arthur’s daughter. she primarily writes & directs now, but acted for many years. she’s stunningly gorgeous.
February 23rd, 2008 at 10:06 pm
I don’t think there is anything with the wording in the article or with what Daniel said. People shouldn ‘t take everything so personal.
Girls might be harder to raise because parents often worry about them more, which makes it harder in them.