Maggie Gyllenhaal Settles for the City, Contemplates the Country
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A native of New York City, but raised in Los Angeles, Maggie Gyllenhaal admits that the city that never sleeps is proving to be less than an ideal setting to raise Ramona, her 2-year-old daughter with fiancé Peter Sarsgaard. Revealing to Time Out Kids that the couple “are leaning toward maybe getting out of here” to settle in the country, the actress can’t help but feel torn, feeling grateful for the abundance of activity in her backyard. “There are wonderful things about being in the city. It’s really easy to get your kid together with other kids,” notes Maggie, who often takes her daughter to music and dance classes. With a list of “all these little things to do,” there is never a dull moment for the family, however, Maggie ponders whether Ramona is truly able to appreciate city life at such a young age.
“While the city is great when you’re older, with a two-year-old I definitely feel like I’m stopping her every minute and saying, ‘Don’t pick up that cigarette butt! You know that’s disgusting!’ instead of just letting her be a little freer, like I imagine we could if we lived in the country.”
With countless kid-friendly places for the mother-daughter pair to explore, Maggie finds her greatest frustration is the trek through the transportation system, which for the actress, seems to be an adventure in and of itself! Admitting that she does “not understand how I’m expected to take the subway” with her toddler and stroller in tow, the 31-year-old applauds the countless moms who courageously venture out with their kids! Finding the weekends particularly difficult — “my subway station closes its gates and the attendant leaves on the weekends” — the actress is yet to learn the tips and tricks of maneuvering through “one of those little circular things” with her arms full. She adds,
“I mean I’m thinking…if I had another child I don’t know how I would do it. I know that there are many women who have more than one kid and have to do it. I just don’t know how they make it work! Why can’t the subway be made more child-friendly? I’m a big fan of public transportation, but it’s just so hard.”
Continue reading to find out Maggie’s take on working and preparing for preschool!
