Rumer Willis is no stranger to online criticism about her parenting choices, but she's learning to navigate the ups and downs of motherhood with grace.
In an exclusive interview with E! News at the Environmental Working Group and Know Your Value annual Earth Day dinner on April 22, the 37-year-old actress opened up about handling mom shamers as she raises her 3-year-old daughter, Louetta, with ex Derek Thomas.
"My goal is not to try and behave in this way that seems like I'm totally unconscious of what's going on," Rumer explained. "But I'm really trying to find the places that are the same—that we can connect, that we can support each other."
She continued, "I might not do that the best sometimes. Honestly, some days, it's just a challenge. We're all trying to figure out how to be understood, how to be seen. You can have a day where somebody pops off and it doesn't bother me and sometimes, it really does."
Rumer also acknowledged the privilege that comes with being the daughter of Demi Moore and Bruce Willis, noting that her upbringing was different from most. "I'm not naive to the fact that I have had a different level of privilege," she said. "I've just grown up different and there will always be a divide with certain things. I can say I'm struggling as a single mom but there's just a level that's different. I understand that."
Despite the challenges, Rumer remains unapologetic about defending herself. Last October, she clapped back at critics who questioned her decision to breastfeed her toddler. "It's just so crazy. People are just so aggressive about it. It kind of makes me laugh," she recalled. "Everybody has opinions about how you should parent, whether you should sleep, what you should feed them, what you should wear."
Still, she sees it as "part of the game" and leans on her close-knit family for support. The Willis-Moore clan has always been a united front, from Bruce and Demi's amicable co-parenting to the strong bond they share with their children.
As Rumer continues her journey as a single mom, she's focused on connecting with others rather than letting the noise get to her. "We're all trying to figure out how to be understood," she said.