Angelina Jolie is embracing the art of stepping back as her six children forge identities and ambitions of their own.
The Oscar-winning actor offered rare insight into her approach to motherhood in an interview with fashion magazine L'Officiel, published Sept. 9.
"They're definitely individuals," Jolie said of her children. Their independence, she added, is a source of pride for her. "One of the most important things, I think, is to basically not get in their way."
"As a parent, you try to do many things, but you also try to not get in the way of this human being who has a life separate from yours and so much potential in their own mind," Jolie said during the interview. "You want to make sure that you support them."
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The 51-year-old actress shares Maddox, 25, Pax, 22, Zahara, 21, Shiloh, 20, and twins Knox and Vivienne, 18, with ex-husband Brad Pitt. With her youngest children, Jolie is entering a new phase of motherhood and considering what she wants her own future to look like.
Four of the former couple's children have distanced themselves from Pitt's surname: Shiloh legally changed her name, while Zahara, Vivienne and Maddox have filed to do the same.
Several of her children have explored creative work alongside her. Jolie said Maddox and Pax have gained experience working as assistant directors on film sets, where they learned about the different departments involved in a production. She emphasized that anyone interested in filmmaking should understand the work performed by all members of the crew, including those behind the camera.
"I think if you have any interest in working on film, you need to be a part of the crew and do the hard work and know all the different departments," Jolie shared.
Their ambitions, however, extend beyond filmmaking. Jolie said Maddox is focused on aviation, while Pax has pursued photography and may also be interested in a future in film. Even when they work together professionally, Jolie said she remains "just Mom," grateful for the opportunity to spend time with her family.
As her children move further into adulthood, Jolie said they are encouraging her to revisit parts of herself that took a back seat while she was raising them.
"I really love and am looking forward to more connection and community," Jolie shared. The "Maria" star told L'Officiel that she hopes to travel more, return to fieldwork and deepen her involvement with her foundation in Cambodia. "I'm not somebody who vacations or shops or things like that. I envision more field work, more travel, and just being out in the world." She also wants to reconnect with some of her more adventurous interests, including riding a motorcycle and piloting a plane.
Jolie said her children support that vision, recognizing that she devoted the years when they most needed her to being their mother. Now, she indicated, they are ready to see her step back into the wider world — while continuing to pursue their own distinct paths.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Angelina Jolie reveals what makes her proud of her 6 children
