Comedian Ilana Glazer says her 4-year-old daughter taught her a big lesson: 'I learned to slow down'

Business Insider

10-06-2025

Ilana Glazer says that parenting her 4-year-old daughter taught her the power of letting go.
In an interview with Parents published on Monday, the comedian spoke about raising a toddler and how the experience brought her unexpected clarity.
"I learned to slow down and be gentle with myself in the past five years, including during my pregnancy. It's a muscle that needs exercise and breath," Glazer told Parents.
Glazer, best known for her role in Comedy Central's " Broad City," added that parenting rarely sticks to a script.
"When you have kids, they're not a plan to be executed. They're little magical human beings who need support," she said.
But still, letting go of control is a work in progress. Glazer says she's far from a chill mom, especially "when I have expectations of how a trip is supposed to go, how bedtime is supposed to go, how a nap is supposed to go."
Thankfully, she's got plenty of support from her husband, who complements her parenting style. Unlike Glazer, her husband does his best to "make space for our daughter to have whatever process she's having."
"And it's so much more delightful than making my kid my little employee, whose job it is to do what I need her to do. I like to plan for things and produce, so it's been a gift to see our combined parenting unfold," Glazer said. "It's shown me how much I've been holding on to that I need to let go of."
She added that her daughter is already able to name her feelings — something that Glazer had to go to therapy to learn.
"She's already 30 years ahead of me," Glazer added.
Glazer is among several high-profile women who have recently opened up about the challenges of raising children, particularly the need to let go of control.
In a March appearance on the "Not Gonna Lie with Kylie Kelce" podcast, Kate Hudson said she learned how to apologize to her kids when she's in the wrong.
"Sometimes in conflict, you go too far, and you need to say you're sorry, instead of teaching them that you doubled down," Hudson said. "And what you find in going to your kids and saying, 'I could have handled this better' or 'I made a mistake' or 'I'm sorry I didn't trust you' — whatever the scenario — is that connection becomes stronger."
During a May episode of the "IMO" podcast, Michelle Obama said she doesn't believe in coddling her kids because it prevents them from learning from their mistakes.
"It's like, you know what, I raised you all to have some sense, to have judgment. And at some point, you've got to practice that, which means that I've got to let go," the former first lady said.