Julie Bowen Joins Son Road Trip to University of Oregon
Brace yourselves for another celebrity milestone, because Julie Bowen has officially graduated from stage mom to cross-country chauffeur. The Modern Family alum and Lost star recently sat down with E! News to spill the tea on her eldest son Oliver Phillips, who is fresh out of high school and gearing up for college life at the University of Oregon.
At 55 years young, Bowen revealed that her 18-year-old son, whom she shares with ex-husband Scott Phillips, will be trading diploma tassels for dorm room keys this fall. “He’s going to college,” she deadpanned in the exclusive interview, before adding with a motherly smile, “He’s going to [the University of] Oregon. He’s very, very excited.” No surprise there, but here’s where the plot thickens: Oliver thought he’d get to bask in newfound independence on a solo road trip. Bowen quickly put the kibosh on that fantasy, announcing, “He doesn’t know I’m gonna road-trip up to Oregon. He said he’s road-tripping and I’m like, ‘I’m coming with you.’”
Apparently, nothing breeds confession like four wheels and endless highway. Bowen confessed that her boys, including 16-year-old twins Gustav and John, actually open up to her when they’re confined in a car. Who knew forced family bonding could double as therapy? As the actress joked, it’s the one place her sons “actually talk” to her without eye rolls.
While Bowen is thrilled for Oliver, she admits to a healthy dose of stage fright about sending her firstborn into the wild. “I’m terrified that he’s being released onto the world,” she quipped. “I love that kid, I love him so much. But I do wonder—nature versus nurture. You do so much parenting, and then you’re like, ‘You were always going to be this person. You’re always going to be who you are.’” shrugging off the illusion that parental effort alone can rewrite DNA.
To celebrate Oliver’s big day, Bowen took to Instagram on June 12 with a graduation shout-out and a celebratory cigar—because nothing says proud mom like risking your child’s gag reflex. “To the most original, interesting, and funny kid I know…congratulations @itsoliverphillips. You are a high school graduate! The future is yours (but that cigar will definitely make you puke),” she teased alongside snaps of a grinning graduate in cap and gown.
Parenting teen boys has never been listed in the manual of Things That Are Easy. Bowen admitted on the Three Questions with Andy Richter podcast that her sister, Annie Luetkemeyer, delivered some hard truths: at this age your presence matters only five percent of the time, yet you can’t predict when that five percent strikes. Her solution: strategic lurking.
So, as Oliver buckles up for college, Bowen is tightening her seat belt too—and maybe stocking the glove box with earplugs. And that is your daily dose of celebrity parenting anxiety. You’re welcome.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and E! News, Three Questions with Andy Richter podcast
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
