Jess Rowe on “letting go” of her eldest daughter Allegra and reaching milestone 50: “I bawled my eyes out”
Jess Rowe has become a familiar face after nearly a quarter of a century on Australian television screens.
While the 49-year-old has definitely had her share of incredible achievements and milestones, there is nothing that made the former Studio 10 host prouder than dropping her eldest daughter, Allegra, 13, off to her first day of high school.
The star told 7News that sending her oldest off into her own major milestone was an emotional rollercoaster all on its own.
“I think, as a teenager, it is such a rollercoaster of emotions,” Rowe explained.
“I remember being a teenage girl, and I want to help her, protect her, let her go a little bit - and I think sending her to high school, it’s that next stage.
“Being a mother, being a parent, is a series of letting go, and you don’t realise - when they are so small, you keep them so close.
“When I walked back to the car, I bawled my eyes out. It’s those milestone moments, and I do think as parents it’s important that we take that time to reflect on how far we’ve come, but also what is ahead.
“I describe my technique at the moment as a cross between the mum in Mean Girls who says hi to everyone, and the mother in Bend It Like Beckham who is always peering around the door with snacks for everyone and then disappearing.
“I haven’t worked it out yet. I like to think that I’m not strict. Peter (Overton) is probably stricter than I am.
“But I think it’s about empowering our kids to also feel that they are involved in the decision making, even if you’re deciding, ultimately.
“You want them to have a sense of growing up and give them extra bits of responsibility.”
For the former Channel 10 star, Rowe says she is “looking forward” to reaching 50-years-old.
“I love getting older. I know I’m far more comfortable in my skin now than I ever was in my 20s, 30s or even 40s, because I don’t care as much about what people think.
“And when it comes to becoming 50, we’ve got to get out of our comfort zones and push ourselves all the time and be open to new opportunities. Life is too short.”
Scroll through the gallery to see Jess Rowe with her beloved husband, Peter, and two girls, Allegra and Giselle.