As actor, manager and mom Abigail Brower understands...
of these women was establishing clear boundaries and maintaining balance. She emphasised that one crucial takeaway was the significance of self-care. Brower highlighted the multifaceted roles that women in her position navigate, emphasising the importance of caring for their children, engaging with fans, and being present for loved ones. However, she underscored that neglecting self-care can be detrimental, emphasising the critical need for mothers in the acting profession to prioritise their own well-being.
Brower has incorporated a morning routine that includes meditation, prayer, and positive self-talk into her daily life. A devoted listener of Steve Harvey, she finds solace in his podcast, making it a consistent part of her routine. Beyond this, Brower indulges in her love for ice cream, occasionally treating herself. A glass of red wine accompanied by a good book, music, or an audiobook adds another layer to her relaxation techniques. In times of overwhelming stress, she also turns to the practice of deep breathing.
Emphasising the importance of balance, Brower stresses that mothers should strive to find equilibrium, especially when facing the challenges of life. She underscores that stress, if left unchecked, has the potential to lead mothers to lose themselves, ultimately affecting their ability to support and nurture their children. Brower expresses concern that negative emotions associated with stress may permeate a child’s environment, contributing to what she views as unhealthy parenting. Acknowledging the potential for children to adopt behavioural patterns from their parents, Brower advocates for effective stress management, believing it to be a crucial step in becoming the best role model for one’s child.
Being a role model, Brower believes, involves not only disciplining children for any wrongdoing but also the crucial step of taking accountability. She emphasises that simply disciplining a child is insufficient; parents must explain why the discipline was administered, creating an environment where the child understands the reasoning behind the punishment. Similarly, if a parent makes a mistake, Brower insists on the importance of apologising to the child, fostering a dynamic that establishes a safe space for the child to express their feelings when they perceive wrongdoing. Brower sees this approach as a means of breaking generational traumas, recognising that some of our actions are influenced by the traumas of our own childhoods, often unconsciously passed on to our children. Expressing hope for those struggling with mental health, Brower encourages individuals to find avenues that help them cope with life and foster self-improvement. “There are many people out there that may have been struggling with selfconfidence, freedom of expression or public speaking and so on and they don’t have that solution or see their qualities and they should be able to find something to help that. For me, theatre has helped me with that,” Brower said. “I hope that people can find themselves in theatre, especially if they have a passion for it, so it can help them to express themselves and I find theatre helps with that. I think theatre is a very impactful community.”