Leighton Meester Talks to Husband Adam Brody About Motherhood, Concerns About Costarring in 'River Wild' & the Type of Role She Does Not Want

On motherhood’s affect on her career…

“It’s inevitable that it’s changed it, and we’ve had these conversations endlessly,” Leighton said when asked about how motherhood changed her career. “I wouldn’t change anything and I’m proud of the mom I am. But I also feel like I’m open to a lot of self-doubt and worry, and to more extreme hypervigilance and neurosis [Laughs]. So all I can do is take it a day at a time.”

She continued, adding, “But when I’m with my kids, our kids, I feel like all I can do is be present. Then when I’m working, I miss them like crazy. It’s hard not to feel as a mom that you’re not doing enough and I think that’s always going to be reinforced by our society.”

She also offered a “sweet, canned answer,” saying, “It gave me a lot of compassion, and this whole other level of appreciation for other people and a sensitivity that I don’t think I ever had before. Particularly, when it comes to children. It’s not like a regular job. You work for 3 months, nonstop, day and night, and then not at all for the rest of the time. [Laughs] It’s preferable.”