Let’s face it: Sandra Bullock made 2019 her year before it even started. That’s because everyone couldn’t stop talking about her massive Netflix hit, Birdbox. The Hollywood actress reminded us once again that she’s a force to be reckoned with and no matter what genre she plays in, she knows how to deliver. While there are plenty of reasons why we love Sandra Bullock so much, the fact that she is purely awesome is just one of them.

Yet, when it comes to her personal and family life, there isn’t much that we know about this brunette beauty. That’s because Sandra does an amazing job of making sure that she separates her personal life from her professional one. Still, she often loves talking about her kids and how much motherhood means to her in her interviews. And what’s more, she loves her children, Louis and Laila, to the moon and back. That’s why we’ve got a list of 20 things that you probably didn’t know about Sandra Bullock, her family, and her life at home. Sure, she’s been in the public spotlight for more than three decades now, but she is also one of the most reserved celebrities out there. Let us know what you think.

20 She’s Not Into Social Media

Unlike so many other celebrities out there, Sandra Bullock isn’t into social media. As a matter of fact, she is one of few Hollywood actresses out there that doesn’t have a social media account or channel. She’s not into showing photos of her kids to her fans if she doesn’t have to. What’s more, she also likes to promote her films and projects the old-fashioned way by doing press junkets and media interviews. With Sandra, what you see is what you get. She doesn’t feel the need to give anyone a glimpse of what her life is like behind the scenes, nor she does want to.

19 She Never Takes Her Kids On The Red Carpet

While there are a lot of Hollywood actors and celebrities out there that like to bring their families on to the red carpet with them, Sandra Bullock is not one of them. She prefers to work the carpet solo, so to speak. That’s because she’s made her best effort to separate her personal life from her professional life. Her kids didn’t choose to be Hollywood stars – she did. And that’s one of the many reasons why she likes to keep them out of the public eye. For Sandra Bullock, protecting her children’s privacy is very important to her and her family.

18 She’s Picky About Her Projects

For Sandra, she is content with all she has done in her life, both professionally and personally. She is one of the most successful women in the entertainment business. She’s an A-list star. She’s also a household name, all around the world. And now that she has her family at home, she’s more picky about her projects. That’s because she wants to spend more time being a mom than sitting on a film set for 18 hours a day. Her time is valuable. She realizes that her children need her more than she needs the celebrity status or the Hollywood paychecks that come with each film.

17 Just Because You Didn't Give Birth Doesn't Make You Any Less Of A Mom

Sandra Bullock always knew deep down in her heart that she wanted to be a mother. But she also insists that just because you didn’t give birth, that doesn’t make you any less of a mom. Speaking about the obstacles of approaching the adoption process, she revealed: "The largest obstacles were privacy and the safety of the child; to make sure that when I brought Louis’s sibling into our home, I was able to make sure I could keep things quiet and the child protected for the time that the child was ‘placed.’ When I look at Laila, there’s no doubt in my mind that she was supposed to be here.”

16 How She Bonds With Her Kids (Plus The Stress)

Sandra is by far one of the busiest actresses in the entertainment industry. But with that being said, she always makes the time to bond with her children, regardless of what projects she is working on. Of course, it’s not easy, but she makes it work. She added: "The only time I’m stressed is when I have to leave the house for work. Pulling myself together before I leave the house I know now is an impossibility. I’m not at a place where I feel okay being gone. The most peaceful time of day is when I know for a fact that both of them are successfully asleep and I can leave their room knowing we have another day under our belt."

15 She Thinks She Has The Loudest Kids On The Planet

We are sure that a lot of parents would say the same thing, but Sandra believes that she has the loudest kids on the planet. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing, mind you. About Louis' first meeting with his sister, the actress shared: "He grabbed her hand and dragged her into his playroom the first moment he met her. He’s a wise old soul and often knows more than I give him credit for. I think he was ready for her before she even arrived and he knew exactly what to do as a big brother. He knew to be cautious and gentle. But now that time has passed and it’s like the WWE [World Wrestling Entertainment]."

14 Things Get Messy With Toddlers In The Home

This shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone who has kids in their lives, but Sandra says that things often get messy at home with her two children, Louis and Laila, and as it should be. After all, a lot of people would agree that a messy, cluttered home is a happy home full of good memories and love. If you have toddlers in your family, don’t expect to keep your home looking perfect and clean like a museum. Sandra knows that in order for her kids to thrive, they need to get down and messy, even if that means she has to step over one mountain after another of toys in the hallway.

13 How Her Parenting Style Has Changed

With two kids in the house, the actress admits that her parenting style has definitely changed. Sandra said: "No, it’s just time management and being a referee now. The style of parenting is still the same – maybe more deep breaths here and there. The only thing I am very cautious about is making sure that Louis never feels like he is looked over because Laila needs extra love and care. I just had to put all the bumper guards back up on corners of tables again. Those had just been taken down a year ago, but smartly I kept them all, knowing they would be needed again."

12 Spending The Holidays At Home

A lot of people were surprised when Sandra Bullock revealed that her children only get three small gifts for Christmas every year. Why? Because as a family, she explains, they already have everything they could possibly want out of life. For her, it’s all about spending the holidays at home and being with one another. The presents are great, but they are not the main focus for her as a parent for her two small children. Sandra explained: "The most magical part will be watching Louis show a little girl who may never have had Christmas before what it's all about."

11 She Wants A House Full Of Kids

Sandra has said that she always wants a house full of kids. Sure, she might be done with just having two kids of her own, but she still wants kids to come in and out of her home on a daily basis. And by that, she means friends, play dates and groups, and family members. She loves hearing the sound of kids playing in her children’s rooms. Speaking to People magazine back in 2015, Sandra admitted: "I've always said that I could have a house full of kids. But at this time the only kids in my house, other than Louis, are the ones whose parents want them back at the end of the playdate."

10 Growing Inside The Hollywood Bubble

Sandra understands that her family life looks far different than the average family out there. To put it simply, her kids definitely live in a Hollywood bubble so to speak, and that’s why she does her best job to make sure they stay grounded. She doesn’t want them spoiled and she doesn’t want them to take anything for granted. Plus, she never takes her role as a mother for granted, either. Sandra puts it this way (via Brainy Quotes), “No one understands the shift in priorities about having a child in your life... until you have a child in your life.”

9 She’s A Handy Woman Around The House

As of press time, Sandra Bullock is currently dating her longtime beau, Bryan Randall. But because she’s had so many difficult relationships in the past, she likes to keep things under the radar with him. But with that being said, Sandra admits that she’s the handy woman around the house. She’s learned how to use a toolbox just because she’s lived alone for many years. She knows how to fix any problem, big or small and without any issues, either.

8 She Had A Very Strict Upbringing

Sandra had a very strict upbringing, mostly because of her German-born mother, Helga. She made sure that Sandra grew up knowing what all of her rules and regulations were and that she was expected to abide by them at all times. Yet, Sandra, being who she is, knew how to break a rule here and there. She said she even became a cheerleader so she could go against her parents! But when it comes to her own children, Sandra likes to be fairer rather than she is strict. She wants to give them room to grow, learn, and make the right decisions on their own.

7 Sandra’s Non-Traditional Idea Of What A Family Is

Sandra Bullock has had many different roles in her life, but if there is one role that she cherishes the most, it’s that as a mother. Yet, she’s said over and over again that not everyone has to have the traditional, nuclear family to have a family of their own. For her, all that matters is that everyone is loved, well taken care of, and above all, they feel safe and secure at home. That’s what makes a family. Sandra has said, “You don't have to give birth to someone to have a family. We're all family - an extended family.”

6 She Relies On A Strong Network Of Mothers

From the outside, it might look like Sandra Bullock has a very easy life. But from within, Sandra has made it no secret that she’s struggled with a lot of things in her life. Thankfully, she’s got a strong network of women and mothers who support one another, no matter what they do. They’ve got each other’s backs. She has said in the past, "If you are struggling, the women in my life descend like paratroopers en masse and will not leave your side until they know you are standing on your own two feet again," she says. "No judgment, just support."

5 She's Acted In Ways That Didn't Make Her Proud

Sandra Bullock might be a household name with millions of fans from all over the world, but she insists that she’s not perfect. Sure, everyone loves her and she seems like the kind of person you wouldn’t mind having as a mom friend, but she’s made her mistakes in the past, too and she admits to them. Sandra has said, “I haven't always acted or reacted in a way that made me proud, but I didn't make that same mistake twice, and I think that's what I love about adversity is that it always reminds me of what's really valuable in life.”

4 Her Determination To Work

Sandra’s career might not be as busy as it once was this time ten years ago, but she is still determined to work now more than ever before? Why? Because she worries about her children and her family’s financial future. Sandra once said, “Being in front of a camera, in a nice dress, getting all dressed up, is extreme. There's a lot of other extreme situations, you know, just getting out of bed sometimes is extreme - but I do it. Just got to do it, just got to get up. Put your sweatpants on, brush off the dog hair and just get out of the house!”

3 Doing Motherhood On Her Own

Sandra might make solo motherhood look very easy, but the Hollywood star admits that it’s sometimes very challenging, especially since she has to make all of the important decisions on her own. Plus, she knows both her kids need special attention and care. Sandra has said, “The only thing I am very cautious about is making sure that Louis never feels like he is looked over because Laila needs extra love and care. I just had to put all the bumper guards back up on corners of tables again. Those had just been taken down a year ago, but smartly I kept them all, knowing they would be needed again."

2 She’s A Simple Everyday, Mom

While Sandra often looks like a knock out whenever she’s on the red carpet, the actress insists that at home, she’s just another, every day and regular mom. She does all the things that so many other moms do on a daily basis. And she loves it and definitely not complaining. If she could, she would be a stay at home mom so her kids could see her more often. Sandra puts it this way, “I'm simply the mom who makes the lunch, drives to school, finds where the toys are, washes the clothes, and I'm here to play. And that's all I should be.”

1 What’s Next For Sandra

While no one knows what’s in store for Sandra and her family, one thing is for certain: she’s very content with her life right now. Of their future together, she added: "That they grow up happy and healthy and know how much I love them. I don’t want to miss a moment of my time with them and if I keep worrying about things that haven’t happened yet, then I’ve lost precious time with them. [...]But I want them to be educated to the reality that exists – not a conversation that a parent wants to have with their children, but millions of parents are having this conversation daily."

source: brainy quotes, vanity fair, deadline, hollywood reporter, people, hello magazine