Los Angeles, Oct 24 (IANS): Actress Drew Barrymore says she doesn't want her daughters to become actors until they are at least 18 years old.

Asked if she would encourage her daughters if they want to become actors, Barrymore replied, “One hundred percent,” but not at a young age, reports people.com.

“Not even a little. Not until they’re 18. I know it sounds crazy, but I want them to be kids. But I would by no means poo-poo a thing I love so much!” Barrymore said.

Even after becoming an emancipated adult by the age of 15, Barrymore says she’s grateful for the invaluable lessons she learned about herself as an actress and a person along the way.

“People ask in a weird way, ‘Would you let them be actors?!’ I’m like, ‘What are you insinuating, that acting is so horrible?’ What is it that you are saying?’” she said.

“It’s wonderful, of course I would encourage it! They just have to be kids.”

“I think I heard Meryl Streep say something like, ‘I let my kids be in school plays when they were teenagers,’” Barrymore adds.

“And I’m like, ‘Ooh, I don’t even know if that’s true but that sounds good.’ Whatever Meryl says.”