Natalie Barr was visibly moved during Friday's episode of Sunrise after participating in a touching Mother's Day segment. The television presenter, who shares sons Hunter, 19, and Lachlan, 23, with husband Andrew Thompson, engaged in a candid conversation with her mother Julie about the realities and challenges of parenthood.
As part of the special feature, Barr, co-host Matt Shirvington, newsreader David Woiwod, and weather presenter Sam Mac each interviewed their mothers in personal one-on-one discussions. Barr's exchange with her mother proved particularly poignant when she asked Julie what she believed was the most difficult aspect of motherhood. 'I think it's when everybody grows up and moves away, as you're finding out now,' Julie replied, referencing Barr's sons Lachlan and Hunter, who have recently left home. Fighting back tears, Barr responded: 'Yeah, I don't think many people talk about when they move away.'
Back in the studio, both Barr and Shirvington appeared emotional after the prerecorded segment aired. 'Wow. If we weren't crying before, we're crying now. Love you mum,' Shirvington said. Still visibly tearful, Barr added: 'Thank you to our mums, that was gorgeous. And unexpected answers I got, did you? Sorry.'
Fans commented on a clip of the segment posted to Sunrise's Instagram page, with one writing: 'Awwwwww Nat! You're so gorgeous. And a beautiful mother, I have no doubt.' Another added: 'Awww Nat you made me cry,' while someone else wrote: 'So beautiful… I'm in tears. Lovely segment.'
This comes after Natalie spoke in 2024 about adjusting to life as an empty nester, telling Who magazine that she was 'mourning' her sons' childhood. At the time, her youngest son Hunter had moved to Canberra for university, and her eldest son Lachlan was living in Melbourne while studying. 'It would be fair to say that I did sit around and mope a fair bit the first few months not really knowing what to do and eating a bit too much chocolate,' she said. 'I was mourning their childhood and felt a bit discombobulated over not knowing what to do. The job of being a parent isn't ever over, but we're in a new part of the relationship and had to learn what the different boundaries were.'
Despite missing her children, Barr said she was slowly embracing this new chapter by prioritising her health, even admitting to purchasing a Pilates machine. 'It's not so bad coming home to an empty house now,' she admitted.
