An Autism Mom Speaks With a Hollywood Actress: Thinking Moms’ Revolution’s Mamacita interviews Moms’ Night Out Star Sarah Drew

I don’t get to watch too many television shows, but Grey’s Anatomy is one show that I’ll find time to watch.  I had an opportunity last week to speak with one of the leading actresses of Grey’s Anatomy, Sarah Drew.  Sarah, who plays Dr. April Kepner, is also starring in a soon-to-be released movie, Moms’ Night Out.

Moms’ Night Out premiers on Mother’s Day weekend and will be in theatres on May 9^th.  Sarah stars alongside Sean Astin, Patricia Heaton and Trace Atkins.  Directed by the Erwin Brothers, Moms’ Night Out “ . . . is an endearing true-to-life family comedy that celebrates the beautiful mess called parenting.”

In the film, Allyson, played by Sarah Drew, plans a much needed moms’ night out with her friends hoping for “a peaceful, grown up evening of dinner and conversation . . . but in order to enjoy high heels, adult conversation and food not served in a paper bag, they need their husbands to watch the kids for three hours—what could go wrong?”

Watch the trailer.  You’ll see that much does go wrong for these moms!

If you are unable to view the video, please copy and paste this url on your browser http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Leb6Vnhbp1A. Alternatively, click HERE.

I told Sarah that even with a short sneak peek of the movie, I can relate so much to the young mom she portrays.  After watching the trailer three times, and laughing out loud all three times, my 7-year old daughter also agreed.  She saw the similarities of Sarah’s character and said to me, “Mom, you TOTALLY need a moms’ night out.”  I promised her I would plan one of my own very soon.

I wanted to know more about the movie and also wanted to ask Sarah some questions about her thoughts on motherhood.  Here is what we were able to talk about.

On Motherhood:

“Laugh till you cry . . . laugh till you laugh . . .”

Sarah doesn’t just play Mom on the big screen.  She is Mom to a two-year old boy and knows motherhood well.

Motherhood is an overwhelming job.  It’s important to remind moms that their job is important, because they are the ones who pour life into their child. 

On Self-Care:

Knowing what a big job being a mom is, Sarah’s offered some advice for other moms.

Take a break when things get too overwhelming so Mom can be ready to tend to little tiny people they live for.   Take a minute, 20 minutes, an hour.  Take time for self-care.  It’s important to get out of the house to then come back with a well of energy.  Too often the mom’s guilt is so great that we don’t take that break but look for something else to do, or fix, or clean.  When we do that, we can’t be there for husband, child, or for ourselves which is why self-care is important.

On Mom Guilt:

I told Sarah that I loved something she said in a Moms’ Night Out interview.  In the clip she says, “Over the last couple of years I’ve been going through this journey . . . coming to a place where I’ve learned that actually . . . just being is enough.”

To watch the interview, please CLICK HERE

I asked Sarah, “How do you just be?”

It’s hard for moms to do that, me included.  It’s hard especially when we’re surrounded by other moms who we may think are better than we are.  When we compare ourselves to other moms, like the one who bakes the perfect cupcakes for every holiday . . . we can’t be like that mom, nor should we be. 

Mom guilt, we don’t need to do that to ourselves because we are all more than enough for our children.  Celebrate their life and celebrate being their mom.  That’s what’s important for our children.”

On Special-Needs Parenting:

We were already a few minutes into our conversation when I mentioned to Sarah that many of our readers here at The Thinking Moms’ Revolution  are parents of children with special needs, including children with autism.  I asked Sarah if she had any specific advice for moms in the special-needs community.

For special-needs moms, I know there is an added level of difficulty to create time for self.  It’s all-consuming to be a mom (of a typical child) and all-consuming for special-needs moms, but with the added needs of their child who requires extra care and attention. 

I appreciated that she understood that extra care and attention are needed.  It was here that I took a minute to say that I am the first one to forget to ask others for help and probably the first one who could use a break!

It was also here that I was able to share a little bit about my son Ronan, whose vaccine injury lead to his autism diagnosis, and that he’s the one who’s turned me into the advocate that I am today.  It hasn’t always been this way.  In the beginning I didn’t feel fully ready to parent him.  I knew that other moms could help me, though, and reached out to those moms.  I am more confident as a mom now, but I sometimes still experience days that have me feeling both physically and emotionally run down.

I didn’t expect to receive personal advice from Sarah Drew about special-needs parenting, but I did.

On Hope and Joy:

I asked Sarah if she knew other moms like me who had children like mine and if any special needs moms had offered any input in the Moms’ Night Out audience screenings they’d had so far.  She did not, but she was able to tell me the story of a mom who has a young daughter with Down syndrome that lifted my spirits.

Sarah shared the story of Amy Julia Becker and her daughter Penny.  Amy Julia has been honest about the initial struggles she went through when she learned of Penny’s Down syndrome diagnosis.  Describing the range of emotional reactions, including what she dealt with when people made insensitive comments and remarks about her daughter to seeing life through Penny’s eyes, is what Sarah called a humbling view.  I had to agree.

I explained to Sarah that Ronan was typically developing and part of me, well, a lot of me, clings to that fact.  I’m always hoping that we can find that typical development again, but in the same breath, I always wonder if I wouldn’t struggle so much with my emotions had Ronan had an autism diagnosis from birth instead.  Hearing that, Sarah encouraged me to find Amy Julia’s blog and to also read her book, A Good and Perfect Gift.

In the book, Amy Julia illustrates the transformation she had as Penny’s mother.

Sarah described the book with the following:

“It’s the story is of how one mom went from seeing her daughter as not limited in abilities but instead sees that her daughter brings something unique to the world.   That something is good and perfect.”

I appreciated that Sarah took time to tell me Amy Julia’s story.  We had much to cover in the interview, but taking a few extra minutes to speak directly to me was very thoughtful.  I promised Sarah that I would find the book and read it as it sounded perfect for where I am right now in my life.

On Using Our Voices:

Our conversation circled back to how important moms are, that we can all learn something from each other, and that, of course, all moms need a break every now and then.  I wanted to talk about one more thing before saying good bye.

I asked Sarah about a recent comment she made in an interview on Fox News, because what she said resonated with me, especially after I was able to share how I, and so many of us Thinking Moms, have had to speak up for our children.

“I know in our mainstream culture, the loudest voices and the most shocking ones get the noise.” 

I think that perfectly sums up what a lot of moms find themselves doing on behalf of their children.

Final Thoughts Shared:

I was thrilled to have the chance to speak to her and talk about as much as we did.  I’ll leave you with one of the last things Sarah Drew said.

“We’re all on this planet together.  We’re meant to do life together.  We were designed that way.  In connecting with other people we can join people across the world . . .”   

I think what Sarah shared crosses over for all moms.  I know that it’s true for in our community of Thinking Moms as we have been able to connect with so many others on behalf of our children.  In sharing our stories, in writing our blogs, in reaching out to others when they feel like they have nowhere else to turn.  We are connected and should work together to enjoy all that life brings us.

We wrapped up our conversation, and I thanked Sarah for taking time to share with me what she’s done in Hollywood.  I told her I was especially looking forward to seeing her next in Moms’ Night Out as it sounded like a fun tribute to moms everywhere.  I’ve already sent the word out to a few of my local mom friends that we must go see the movie when it premieres.  Until then, I’ll be keeping up with the movie’s latest news and events through their FB page.

It’ll be nice to plan a fun night out with some local Thinking Moms and to take that all-important break that Sarah mentioned in the beginning of our conversation.  She has such wise words that we can all take to heart:

Take time to take care of yourself. 

Take time to be.

And most importantly, take time to remember that what we do as moms is important. 

~ Mamacita

For more by Mamacita, click here.