Parenting presented challenges that Arnold Schwarzenegger never thought he’d face. Together, he and his now ex-wife Maria Shriver have four children. Yet, in 1997, when Shriver was pregnant with their fourth child, The Terminator star played multiple roles for his children.

In his book, Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story, the former bodybuilder detailed his experience as a father and a husband. The star spoke about one incident in particular that involved Shriver’s pregnancy-related sickness. While he already had his hands full with movies and championships, Schwarzenegger faced the reality of juggling multiple roles for his children.

How Arnold Schwarzenegger put in his extra hours as a mom and dad

Pregnancy is a tough journey for parents. Schwarzenegger recalled how Shriver suffered from severe morning sickness. This went on for way too long, so much so that it got concerning. The journalist was hospitalized for her sickness. That’s when Schwarzenegger stepped in and took up responsibilities.

In his book, the star recalled his worries about Shriver and the prospect of managing the household without her. He had to delicately handle matters since his children were quite young. So, he canceled all his commitments and spent extra time with his children, who were evidently upset about their mother’s absence. Arnold expressed the same and wrote, “Kids Were Upset Because Maria Was Gone.”

Read More: “I Throw Up Five Six Time a Day”: Bearing Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Child, Ex-Wife Maria Shriver Opened Up on Pregnancy Struggles in 1989

Later, Schwarzenegger devised a plan – in order to comfort his children, he made sure that they visited their mother every day. He would involve them in the healing process by getting them to pick flowers for Shriver. He noted, “I put off commitments and spent a lot of extra hours at home trying to be both mom and dad”. Shriver’s struggles as a mother were appreciated even more when eventually, eldest daughter Katherine became a mother herself.

Katherine was all praises for her mother

Katherine Schwarzenegger has always been big on her love for her family. Her interactions with both her mum and dad have been some of the most heartwarming moments for the fans to witness. In an interview with Today, she revealed a newfound respect for her mother during a back-and-forth over text.

Katherine recalled how she woke up at odd hours and set alarms for the same. And while she loved her daughters to death, she realized how Shriver did the same for four children.

Watch This Story: Maria Shriver Shared a Perfect Birthday Picture of Her and Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Daughter Katherine

Pregnancy and parenting aren’t always smooth journeys for all, and the Schwarzenegger family faced this reality early on.