Teri Hatcher Encourages Emerson to be Independent

Bauer Griffin

For Desperate Housewives star Teri Hatcher, 44, the mark of a good parent is a child who can stand alone. “I believe in the philosophy that your best job as a parent is to create a child who has the wherewithal and the strength and the confidence to do without you really,” she tells Celebrity Baby Blog. “That’s what you want to bring into society, a motivated, passionate, compassionate individual.”

Although it may “go against your…desire to smother them and keep them close,” Teri says that in the end learning to keep a distance has been the key to the strong bond she shares with daughter Emerson Rose, 11 ½.

“I think everything about our adventures together and our relationship over the years has always been a good balance of, ‘I’m here for you but you can do it yourself.’”

Case in point? Speaking from Comic-Con last week, Teri revealed that she could only stay in San Diego for a few hours, for Emerson was returning home from a two-week summer camp later that afternoon. “You write letters and I think in her letters she definitely expressed the right amount of, ‘I’m doing my own thing but I miss home, too,’ ” Teri said. “That’s a good blend, a reasonable blend. She’s a good kid.”

It’s also important to lead by example in good times and in bad, Teri said before adding,

“[I use myself] as a role model when I make mistakes…How does a person pick themselves up from making mistakes or how does a person be courageous and adventurous and find joy so that they’re somewhat of a role model? So we’re in a good place, a very good place. I’m proud of all her advancements.”

Emerson is Teri’s daughter with ex-husband Jon Tenney.

– Missy with reporting by Scott Huver

Comments

I absolutely agree with her in encouraging independence in her daughter. I have two sons (9 and 13) and a daugHter (11) and I am a firm believer in roots and wings. I have always thought we are raising future adults, not children. Everything at an age appropriate time, but it’s important to let them go a little at a time.

- Lorelei on July 28th, 2009

That’s what my mother did for me and it really helped. I became a problem solver, resourceful and not afraid to dance to the beat of my own drum.

- nettrice on July 28th, 2009

I think she has the right idea.

- Angi on July 28th, 2009

I totally agree with this, I am 38 and put myself through graduate school. I just visited my parents, and my cousin who is 42 is still called “my baby” by her parents and gets everything done for her, they have bought her 2 homes, she’s never had to work for anything. It’s sad and almost a sick situation. I’m glad my parents are very proud of me.

- Elizabeth on July 28th, 2009

I completely agree with Teri. I will apply the same philosophy when I have my child(ren).

- Tam on July 29th, 2009