Lisa Edelstein Calls Single Working Moms 'Unsung Heroines'

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In a new interview with PARADE, Lisa Edelstein says that portraying a single working mom on House is a badge of honor. “I feel they’re unsung heroines,” the actress, 43, opines.

It’s also uncharted territory for Lisa, who is not yet a mom herself. She muses,

“I don’t think that anyone can prepare for raising a child. I think it’s one of those jobs that is far more overwhelming than you could ever expect and far more satisfying than you can ever expect.”

Citing her age, Lisa says that she has no desire to be a single mom and would instead prefer to “make it a two-person job.” She is quick to clarify, however, that she has “come to terms with not being a mother at all.” Lisa adds,

“I’m actually really good with either direction that my life can take as being a valid experience.”

House airs Monday’s at 8 p.m. on FOX.

Source: PARADE

Comments

I too am still coming to terms with the either way decision. It is not an easy one. Being a single foster parent, adoption may or may not be in the cards for me. Raising a child alone is not easy and truely all single moms are unsung heroes.

- Layla on February 11th, 2010

I need to catch up on House, didn’t know she had a baby! I’ve always thought she was gorgeous too.

Layla thank you for that sweet comment, I’m a single mom. I’m very lucky to have help from family and friends if I need it though, I’d be lost without them and I think the women who do it completely on their own are amazing.

- Jessicad on February 11th, 2010

For some reason this article makes me sad. It’s one thing for a woman to say she just simply doesn’t want to have children, but it makes me sad that she DOES want to have kids but it’s just not in the cards for her and she needs to “come to terms” with not having children.
I agree, all single parents are unsung heros!

- HeatherB on February 11th, 2010

Being childless by choice, chance or circumstance – more and more these days, there are a lot of women that end up not having kids because of chance or circumstance (their age, no good choice for a partner, etc). I really respect what she said and if more women like her talked about it maybe there wouldn’t be such a stigma attached to it. Nobody I know in this situation cares for the “poor you” thing. I had to come to terms with it myself rapidly approaching 40. I have some hope but I really respect my friends and role models that have made full lives for themselves even if they didn’t become moms themselves (usually by chance or circumstances). It’s an honorable thing to respect that it’s a very tough job and acknowledging one might not be equiped to try it along.

- Annie on February 11th, 2010

If one can afford financially to be a single parent (i.e. hiring nannies and nurses), then why not? I read an article that in the future men won’t exist because women can have babies without them (it was a complex article – can’t explain everything the doctors said)

- Maya on February 11th, 2010

Lisa is amazing. I praise her for everything she has said. Celine Dion should take a page from this woman’s book.

- Karina on February 11th, 2010

HeatherB: You are right, it is kind of sad that some women who want to have kids have to ”come to terms” with the fact that they will not have any.

I really love Lisa and I respect her a lot for what she says and does. She seems to be a great, sensitive, caring person from what she says and does. I also know that she is a vegan and that she cares about animals as well.

And it is true that she is a very beautiful woman.

- Stéph on February 11th, 2010

what a lovely comment about all us single working mommies out there! our jobs don’t end at 5pm and we don’t get weekends off either! cheers to us all!

- carebearsmom04 on February 11th, 2010

What about single dads? The fact is, all single PARENTS are unsung heroes.

- asdas on February 11th, 2010

This woman is so sweet. I don´t usually watch House but her character is the only one I really like. She is a great actress.

- Kran on February 11th, 2010

It’s hard to raise kids alone, but does it really qualify for “Hero” status? In my opinion, if you choose to have kids, it’s your responsibility to raise them to the best of your ability… with or without a partner. It really shouldn’t be considered exceptional behavior to be a good parent. Yes, Kudos to people for being responsible moms and dads… but really, it’s what you signed up for when you chose to have children. We should all be mentally prepared for the fact that we may end up being single parents due to certain twists in fate… but this does not a Hero make. Now, when you develop a cure for cancer, in addition to being a working mom… then we can talk.

- fuzibuni on February 11th, 2010

It’s all relative fuzibuni, hero to me may be different to you. Your comment came off kind of negative, I hope you didn’t mean to put people down when this was such a positive article with positive comments, for once.

- Jessicad on February 11th, 2010

fuzibuni….you had some very good points. There are however many definitions for the word hero. Personally, my mother is my hero and she did not cure cancer but to me she is a hero in a true sense of the word – she is not even a single parent too. I did signed up to be single foster parent, it is a choice I made and I currently have a beautiful 8 month old girl that is the light of my world. When faced with the realities of raising her on my own both emotionally and financially (without the state) makes me question if it is possible for any long term type placement or adoption in the future. Do I want to be a mother, yes. Can I do it alone, I don’t know. It is true it is a choice to become a parent, but until you are in the shoes of a single parent you cannot understand some of the astronomical obstacles that they have to go through. To the world these single parents may seem average but to the little lives they touch they are the world and can be an everyday heroes.

- Layla on February 11th, 2010

I certainly think that single parents deserve kudos (as all parents deserve, actually), but I also don’t think ‘hero/herione’ is the right word. Either way, I think she has a good perspective on life and whether or not she will become a mother.

- skunknuggets on February 11th, 2010

I can’t imagine how difficult being a single parent would be. I am a stay at home mom, and there are days I can’t wait for my husband to get home to “relieve me” a bit. I always think of how tired single parents must be. They need a pat on the back, and I am sure at times it can seem like a thankless job, because kids don’t often say thank you at a young age (although I know you are thanked in other ways i.e kisses and hugs) Anyway, good job all single parents!!!!

- Belle on February 11th, 2010

Personally I think all good parents are heroes

This article made me really respect Lisa.

- lis on February 11th, 2010

I completely agree with Belle. I am a stay at home mother too and at the end of the day, I always wonder how single moms/single dads do it! I would be lost if something were to happen to my husband, even though I am the primary care taker and my husband works a lot, having someone who loves your child the exact same way like you do and is a mental/emotional/physical support is priceless. I think single parents don’t have it easy in this country and they more than anyone deserve all the help available. KUDOS.

- Amanda on February 11th, 2010

personally i think if sport stars can be called heroes then theres no question that parents and single parents can also be described as heroic.

- steph on February 11th, 2010

I just love reading Lisa E. articles, thank you for this one. Everything she says she says it with a positive and poised attitude.

- Jennifer on February 11th, 2010

I have to agree with fuzibuni. The word hero is thrown around far too liberally nowadays. Parents are not heroes, neither are sport stars.

I like what she says about not having children, she is realistic and holding on to her ideal of family life.

- Anna on February 11th, 2010

Anna, I think the term has a multitude of meanings that vary from person to person. While your parents may not be your heroes, the same cannot be said for everyone. Personally, if anyone asked me who my own hero was/is, I’d respond with my father. To me, he’s the definition of the term. For others, that person may be a fire fighter, soldier, teacher, or sibling. There’s really no right or wrong association.

- Ashleigh on February 11th, 2010

Great article…I think the fact that there are many women who want to have kids, but haven’t found a partner, isn’t addressed enough. I am the only one of my close friends to have children. One couple doesn’t want any, and the rest of my friends are still single (and hitting their 40s).

- Cheryl on February 11th, 2010