Selena Gomez Asks Mariska Hargitay for Parenting Advice as ‘Someone Whose Desires to Be a Mother’

Hargitay is mom to kids August, 17, Amaya, 12, and Andrew, 12, whom she shares with husband Peter Hermann

Selena Gomez is asking for some parenting advice from her friend, Mariska Hargitay.

Speaking to the Law & Order: SVU actress, 60, for an interview with Interview magazine, the “Single Soon” singer and actress, 32, asked if she could pose a more personal question about becoming a mother “as someone who desires to be a mother.”

“How does balancing things — because I remember I went to go pick up your kids from school one day, and I loved that. That felt so normal and real. How do you balance that?” Gomez asked. “Because one day I hope to do that.”

“And you will. For all working moms, it’s hard. There’s been so many times where I’m torn or frustrated because in our jobs, you can’t say, ‘Guys, I’m not coming in today,’ ” Hargitay responded. “But I’ve integrated them here. My kids come to work with me.”

“Are there things I miss? Yeah. The flip side is that my kids are really proud of me. I talk to them a lot about, what kind of life do you want, and who do you want to be, and how do you want to spend your time? And what do you want to give back and who do you want to affect and what do you want to create?”

Hargitay went on to say that while she’s missed some things, and there are days where her nanny had to do “a little extra,” she’s happy with the balance she’s found.

“But I brought August to work with me every day for the first year. And you can, too. It’s doable,” Hargitay told Gomez. “I am happier and living a fuller life, and they feel that and see that. And when I’m with them, I’m with them.”

Earlier this month, Gomez shared with Vanity Fair for the outlet’s October issue that she’s unable to carry her own children.

“I haven’t ever said this…but I unfortunately can’t carry my own children,” Gomez said. “I have a lot of medical issues that would put my life and the baby’s in jeopardy. That was something I had to grieve for a while…”

Gomez has previously spoken about dealing with complications from lupus, which she was diagnosed with in 2015. She also revealed her bipolar diagnosis in April 2020 during an episode of Miley Cyrus’ Instagram Live show Bright Minded.

“[But] I’m in a much better place with that,” she continued. “I find it a blessing that there are wonderful people willing to do surrogacy or adoption, which are both huge possibilities for me.”

“It made me really thankful for the other outlets for people who are dying to be moms. I’m one of those people,” Gomez said. “I’m excited for what that journey will look like, but it’ll look a little different. At the end of the day, I don’t care. It’ll be mine. It’ll be my baby.”