Actress Julie Bowen recently opened up about her journey of parenting her three teenage boys and shared a crucial lesson she’s learned about balancing time. Her candid insights reveal the challenges and joys of raising teens in today's world.

Julie Bowen Talks Teenage Parenting: Be There When It Matters

During a candid chat on SiriusXM’s “The Three Questions with Andy Richter” on Monday, October 14, Julie Bowen, 54, shared some of the parenting wisdom she’s picked up along the way. She revealed that her sister once gave her invaluable advice about raising teenagers: "At this age, they need you five percent of the time. And the other 95 percent, they could care less if you're around.” Julie admitted she initially struggled with this concept, wondering if she should be out enjoying her own life instead of sitting at home waiting for her kids to need her. But her sister’s words resonated deeply.

The Importance of Being Present

Julie emphasized the importance of being present when it truly matters. “But when they need you, you don’t know when it’s going to be or where it’s going to be,” she explained. “And if you’re not around, you might miss that critical moment. Sometimes it feels like lurking, but it’s worth it.” The actress shared that she has learned to balance her own life with the unpredictable needs of her teenage boys. “Go do your job. Have a life. But there are times, like on Saturday nights, when I think, ‘Should I make plans? Are they even going to be home?’ And yet, if you just hang around, maybe bake cookies no one will eat, they start coming in and out. That’s when the real conversations happen.”

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Life Lessons from Raising Teens

Julie Bowen, the beloved star of Modern Family, is raising three boys—Oliver and twins John and Gustave—with her ex-husband, Scott Phillips. The couple was married from 2004 to 2018, and Julie has embraced the challenges of single parenthood with grace and humor. She admitted that trying to plan special moments with her teens often backfires. “It’s like trying to have an awkward dinner at Chipotle where no one looks up from their phones,” she joked. Andy Richter chimed in, calling such attempts “a job interview for a job you don’t want.” Julie laughed and agreed, saying that sometimes the best moments happen when you least expect them.

Julie Bowen Opens Up About Parenting Her Teenage Sons — Unique Nicole/Getty Images

Julie concluded by saying, “Sometimes, you just have to be there to catch those fleeting moments. It’s not always perfect, but when it works, it’s magic.” This isn’t the first time Julie has spoken openly about parenting. In September, she appeared on Today to discuss her new project and her life at home with her sons. She joked about their unique hairstyles and confessed that Snapchat is her primary mode of communication with them while she works on the East Coast.

Julie’s Advice for Other Parents

Julie’s advice to other parents is simple: be present, even if it feels like lurking. “They might not need you most of the time, but when they do, it’s crucial,” she said. Her experiences highlight the importance of flexibility and patience in parenting, especially during the often tumultuous teenage years. New episodes of SiriusXM’s “The Three Questions with Andy Richter” are available every Tuesday on the SiriusXM app and wherever podcasts are available.