Naomi Watts is glad she wasn't a young mother.

The actress was 38 when she gave birth to first son, Sasha, now four, and she says she's glad she waited until she was older because she could focus all her energies into parenthood.

Naomi - who also has two-year-old Samuel with partner Liev Schreiber - said: "I had a lot I wanted to do when I was younger, and perhaps I wouldn't have been as focused. I got a lot out of the way in terms of my own dreams.

"You grow up and hopefully become more self-aware. I think I'm a better parent."

Naomi also says she loves seeing Liev with their boys but admits he gets to do more fun stuff with them.

She told America's More magazine: "Liev's moments with the children are amazing. The games just go on and on. I've always said that men are great in the moment, but not good in the planning, like, 'Is there milk in the fridge?' and 'Do we have diapers?'"

The Australian beauty was raised by her mother and says she wants her sons to have a different upbringing to her.

She said: "Not knowing my father always made me feel like a piece of me was missing or unknown.

"I want my sons to feel connected to me and me to them. I want them, above all, to feel sure of who they are. That they are safe in the world. And, of course, connected. To their parents, their friends, their family, the world and themselves.

"This is the most important goal in my life. Everything else is gravy."