Meghan Markle‘s latest podcast episode of ‘Archetypes‘ analyzes an important theme that many of her listeners are currently discussing online— the idea of “mom guilt.” The Duchess of Sussex, 41, opened up about feeling like a “bad mom” after being constantly judged and picked apart in the public eye. For this particular episode, Markle brought on two special guests, her longtime friend Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, 47, wife of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and actress Pamela Adlon, 56.
#e_RadioUS Meghan Markle talks mom guilt, ‘Stepford Wife’ stereotype in ‘Archetypes’ podcast https://t.co/cXZSy5caPg pic.twitter.com/S1bp7YGlK9
— E-Radio.US (@eRadioUS) November 1, 2022
Markle & Trudeau’s Longtime Friendship & Shared Experiences As Mothers
For her many listeners, Markle detailed the “other version of” she and Trudeau, who have been friends since Markle’s acting days, when she shot Suits episodes in Canada. “This wasn’t our day of being the wives and moms, all perfectly coiffed with updos, and pearls, and demure smiles. This was the other version of us – both with wild curly hair, and swimsuits, and loose linen, and huge belly laughs,” Markle narrated, describing her recent chat with the ‘First Lady’ of Canada.
Regarding their bond, Markle said, “I’ve gone to her over the years for advice. She knows what it feels like to be a mom and a partner, and specifically a mom and a partner in the public eye. And also how crushing the guilt of expectations can become.”
Trudeau praised her pal as well, and spoke about the all-too-real feelings of guilt imposed on mothers, women who wish to be them, and other female-identifying people. ”The guilt that we feel as mothers or as women in general is self-imposed. I think we’ve learned to self-impose it… A little girl is not born feeling guilty for being a girl, we learn it. And that’s completely unacceptable,” Trudeau pointed out.
Later on in the podcast, Markle focused on stereotypes of being a modern woman, as well as being a parent. She also talked about this wot actress Pamela Adlon, who shared that she is a parent as well. “Part of the labels that we’re talking about,” Markle said, “This idea of what it means to be a good mom, or like a Stepford Wife – all of these different archetypes where you feel this pressure to have to be a more or a wife or a partner in a certain way… and then the mom shaming that comes with it, often times… and I think it’s so interesting to hear your journey of that.”
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Markle Commends Prince Harry As A Husband & Father
Adlon opened up about the struggles of being a single parent, which Markle (a child raised by a single mother) could understand. Markle then commended her husband Prince Harry for his daily help, effort and loving assistance in raising their children, son Archie Harrison, 3 and daughter Lilibet Diana, 1. Markle detailed her morning routine, and juggling two toddlers. “You know, both monitors on for the kids to hear them, always up with Lili, get her downstairs, then a half hour later Archie’s up,” Markle revealed about her routine.
“Start doing his lunch box before he’s up while I have her, getting her a little nibble. My husband’s helping me get him downstairs. I make breakfast for all three of them. It’s very important to me. I love doing it,” she said. Markle complimented Harry when speaking to Adlon, adding, “Oh my husband, oh he’s great.”
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How Mothering A Daughter Impacted Markle
The former royal family member also shared how becoming a mother to a young girl in particular shaped who she is today. She said, ”Now I’m a mom of a daughter and whether I thought it was going to happen or not, it did – I see the world differently through how she’s going to see the world and how she’s going to look at certain women as role models.”
Near the end of the episode, Markle also told fans and fellow mothers her plans to teach young Lilibet how “be a full-fledged interesting, curious, kind, strong, all the things, human being.” She notably added, “But you also get to be a woman with a voice.” (Love it!)
