Reese Witherspoon On Raising Teen Daughter Ava: 'I'm So Lucky To Be Her Mom'

Reese Witherspoon might be one of Hollywood's most recognizable and famous stars. That privilege, however, is eclipsed by the fact that she feels luckier to be the mother of 17-year-old daughter Ava.

During an event for Elle, Witherspoon gushed over her teenager, who is her first child with ex-husband Ryan Phillipe. She declares how much she feels honored for having Ava who is close to her.

The 40-year-old actress would often post photos of her and her 17-year-old together on her social media. The paparazzi would also often find the mom and daughter out together and hanging with each other.

"I'm so lucky to be her mom," Witherspoon told Entertainment Tonight. "I just love having her in my life and getting to go everywhere with her."

A photo posted by Reese Witherspoon (@reesewitherspoon) on Jan 2, 2017 at 9:43am PST

Raising a teenager is a challenge for many parents and experts regard this as the rebellious phase where the kids see moms or dads as the biggest villains of their lives. The actress, however, appears to have a good relationship with Ava and her other teenager, Deacon, 13, as well as youngest son James, 4.

"I think it's important for people to communicate well with their children," Witherspoon told People. She admits she also takes fashion advice from her 17-year-old, adding, "[She's] a nice young woman who's turned out to have this huge heart and soul."

Witherspoon herself is close to her mother, Betty, who used to work as a nurse and a college professor while raising children. The actress saw in her mom the value of making sacrifices for the sake of the kids.

"I have so much respect for the things she did as a nurse and a teacher," Witherspoon told Southern Living. "I would never begrudge her that."

Incidentally, Witherspoon is set to star in a TV show about mothers for HBO. "Big Little Lies" will debut on Feb. 19 with Nicole Kidman and Shailene Woodley in the cast as well.