Balancing Motherhood and Music: Gwen Stefani's Struggle Between Career and Family

Gwen Stefani Regrets No Doubt Career After Having Kids I Should Have Just Been With My Family 390

Gwen Stefani. Danielle Del Valle/Getty Images

When No Doubt wanted to make another record, Gwen Stefani faced challenges with having kids.

In an interview with Nylon on Tuesday, April 9, the 54-year-old singer shared that after returning from her Sweet Escape world tour, she felt overwhelmed taking care of her son Kingston following his birth in 2006.

"I thought the band was disappointed when they found out I was pregnant again," she shared. "But I don't think they would actually say that. No one would be upset that you're having a baby. But while I was busy with family, they were patiently waiting."

Stefani has three sons, Kingston (17), Zuma (15), and Apollo (10), with her ex-husband Gavin Rossdale. They were married from 2002 to 2016. While raising her kids, Stefani was also trying to make her bandmates Tom Dumont, Tony Kanal, and Adrian Young happy as they worked on a comeback. (No Doubt took a break in 2004.)

In 2009, the band reunited for a tour and later released their album Push and Shove in 2012. However, Stefani shared that having two babies changed things for her. She admitted feeling drained and insecure, saying, "I had no ideas left in me. I felt lost and overwhelmed."

Balancing her work with her family life became a challenge. Stefani expressed how leaving her family to write songs made her feel like a failure. She would return home empty-handed, feeling like she wasted a whole day trying to juggle her responsibilities and revive No Doubt.

Gwen Stefani Regrets No Doubt Career After Having Kids I Should Have Just Been With My Family 388

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Stefani remembered thinking, "Why was I trying to please everyone? I should have been with my family instead. But we did it, and there are some great songs."

After her divorce, Stefani tied the knot with Blake Shelton in 2021. With her children all grown up now, Stefani and the rest of No Doubt are coming back together to play at Coachella on April 12-14 and April 19-21.

"It's been a long time coming," she shared with Nylon. "It's something we always planned to do. Life has thrown many surprises my way. I've learned to stay in the present moment and take in what's happening around me instead of worrying about the future."

Even with her hectic career, Stefani always prioritizes her family. Addressing speculation about her marriage to Shelton, 47, she remains open and honest in the interview.

Stefani shared, "When you're in love and have truly aligned values, nobody can get to us. You can say whatever you want about our relationship - I mean, a week ago we were getting divorced again or something. It's just lies. The truth is the truth, and we know what that is."

Editor's P/S:

Gwen Stefani's journey as a mother and musician is a testament to the challenges and rewards of balancing personal and professional life. Her struggles with insecurity and feeling overwhelmed highlight the immense pressure that women often face to excel in both domains. Stefani's perseverance and determination to make both her family and her bandmates happy is an inspiration to those who aspire to achieve success in multiple areas.

Despite the challenges, Stefani's love for her family remained paramount. Her decision to prioritize her children over her career during certain periods speaks to the importance of nurturing relationships and being present in the moment. Her openness about the difficulties she faced also normalizes the experiences of many working mothers who grapple with feelings of inadequacy and guilt. Stefani's story serves as a reminder that it is possible to navigate the complexities of motherhood and a demanding career with resilience and a strong support system.