Connie Britton recently reflected on her early days as a new mother and how life changed after adopting her son Yoby in 2011. During the 50th Anniversary RTC and Stuart House Brunch in Los Angeles on October 27, the 57-year-old actress shared her experience of adjusting to motherhood.
She admitted to feeling disconnected from her usual routines, saying, “When I first had my son, I don’t think I looked in the mirror for a whole year unless I was working. I even stopped wearing makeup—it all just fades into the background.”
Britton connects with African wild dogs’ family dynamics through her MAMAS docuseries
Now that Yoby is 13, Britton says he hasn’t yet developed the typical teenage attitude. She finds herself wondering when that shift might happen, but so far, she feels fortunate. “Every day, I think, ‘Is today the day he turns into a typical teenager?’ But he’s still such a sweet boy, and he enjoys a lot of kid-friendly things. I’ll hold onto that as long as I can,” she added with a smile.
Britton believes part of his grounded nature comes from not having a phone or access to social media. “He asks about it sometimes, but not obsessively,” she explained. “Every now and then, he’ll say, ‘Mom, when can I get a phone?’ And I just tell him, ‘Not yet.'”
Back in May 2023, Britton discussed her involvement in MAMAS, a nature docuseries she narrated. She revealed that the African wild dogs resonated with her because of their reliance on their pack to raise their young.
“As a single mom, I really connected with them,” Britton said. “Just like those wild dogs, I depend on my own ‘pack’—my community—to help me raise my son. Whether it’s emotional support or even sharing meals, my village plays a huge role, just like in the animal world.”
Britton also reflected on how inspiring it is to see how mothers in nature care for their young. “There’s so much we can learn from these animal mothers about raising children with the help of a community,” she noted. “Their example reminds me that single moms in the human world can draw strength from each other too.”
