Nicole Kidman has offered a candid insight into her relationship with her daughters, making it clear that she has never viewed her role as simply being their friend.
The Australian actress, 59, said motherhood comes with responsibilities that go far beyond being someone her children can treat as a peer.
For Kidman, being a parent means providing stability, guidance and a sense of security for her daughters, Sunday, 18, and Faith, 15.
Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Kidman explained that she wants to remain a dependable figure her children can always turn to rather than trying to be the “cool mum.”
“You’re a mother first,” she said. “You’re a mother, but you’re also a guide, a mentor, a safe haven, the place you can always come home to.”
Kidman Says She Is Her Daughters’ “Rock”
The Oscar-winning star acknowledged that her approach means she is unlikely to become her daughters’ best friend in the traditional sense.
“Ultimately, as I always say to my kids, no, I’m not here to be your best friend, I’m here to actually be the person who is your rock,” she said.
Her comments reflect the importance she places on maintaining a clear distinction between friendship and parenthood, even as her daughters grow older and become increasingly independent.
Kidman has previously spoken about the challenge of balancing her demanding career with raising her children, particularly while working on major film and television productions around the world.
Faith Makes the Journey to Sydney With Her Mum
Kidman also revealed a particularly touching gesture from Faith during her recent trip to Australia for a screening of Practical Magic 2 in Sydney.
Her older daughter, Sunday, could not make the trip because she was working, but Faith decided to accompany her mother.
According to Kidman, the teenager was determined that her mother would not have to make the journey alone.
“Sunny is working right now, so she wishes she could have been here, but Faithy got on the plane with me and she’s like, ‘I’m coming, you’re not doing this alone,’” Kidman said.
Faith’s decision allowed the actress to have one of her daughters by her side as she returned to Australia for the special event.
Family Remains a Priority Despite Her Busy Career
Kidman has previously explained that she makes a conscious effort to return home to her family whenever her professional commitments allow.
During a conversation with Extra alongside her Lioness co-star Zoe Saldana, the actress discussed how she managed motherhood while filming the action-packed spy series.
Saldana praised Kidman for making family time a priority, noting that while the cast developed close relationships and enjoyed activities together away from the set, Kidman would make a point of returning home once her scenes were completed.
“Nicole would if she was there, but as soon as Nicole finishes, she flies home to her family. And it’s so beautiful to see, too,” Saldana said.
Kidman Explains Why She Flew Home Between Filming
Kidman said her decision was straightforward: her daughters needed her presence during important stages of their teenage years.
“I go home to my family. I’ve got one child in junior year and one who’s a freshman,” she explained.
“So, I was like, ‘Okay, I got to be there taking care,’ you know? Multitasking, right?”
The actress has continued to juggle an extensive acting career with her responsibilities as a mother, while making clear that family remains central to her priorities.
A Blended Family With Four Children
Kidman’s two younger daughters, Sunday and Faith, are her children with country music star Keith Urban.
The former couple separated in September 2025 after 19 years of marriage, with their divorce finalized in January.
Kidman also shares two adult children, Bella, 33, and Connor, 31, with her former husband Tom Cruise.
Her latest comments offer another glimpse into the actress’s approach to raising her children, particularly her belief that being a reliable parent matters more than trying to win their friendship.
