As a new mother, Drew Barrymore is now baffled by her dad's neglect and absence #CarryGobySeanKellz #FutureGroupNG via @myentertain9jar

BECOMING a mum has made Drew Barrymore question her own father’s “shocking” absence and neglect of her when she was a child. 

Actress Drew Barrymore with art consultant Will Kopelman attending Chanel's benefit dinner in 2011[GETTY]

The 39-year-old actress, who gave birth to her second daughter Frankie last week, says she doesn’t understand why John Barrymore decided to walk away from her and her mother Jaid.

“My parents split up before I was born and my dad was just never capable of being a father,” says Drew, who also has 19-month-old daughter Olive with husband Will Kopelman. “It’s something I really accepted and became okay with early on, but it’s shocking to me that someone can make that choice. As much as I accepted it with him, I could never accept it in a partner… for some people, showing up is just not possible and that is incredibly frustrating.

“When you become a parent and think about what kids need, it is very emotional.”

The impact of having an absentee father and a tumultuous relationship with her mother led to a troubled Drew having two stints in rehab and living on her own at the age of 14.

But the Charlie’s Angels star, who continues to have what she describes as a “complicated” relationship with her mother, is determined to be hands-on with her own children and always put them first.

“I am loving being a mum,” she tells Red magazine.

“We spend every weekend together. We don’t have a babysitter. It’s just us…

“When the kids are in school and they don’t need me all day long, maybe there’s a way to balance it… I wouldn’t trade bringing up my kids to do that but in a few years I’d like to think about it again.”