Candace Cameron Bure, widely known for her role as D.J. Tanner on the beloved sitcom Full House, is opening up about a deeply personal regret from a chapter of her life that many fans know only from a distance. After Full House ended in the mid-1990s, Bure stepped back from the spotlight and devoted herself almost entirely to raising her children while supporting the demanding professional hockey career of her husband, Valeri Bure. Though she has always spoken with pride about being a stay-at-home mom during those years, she now admits there are moments she wishes she could relive with more presence and clarity.
During a recent episode of The Candace Cameron Bure Podcast, the 49-year-old actress reflected on her decade-long break from acting. She described it as a period of transformation and learning, but also one filled with moments she believes she didn’t fully embrace—despite being physically present for her children.
Bure explained that while her daily pace during those years was slower and less demanding than her career in Hollywood, her mind often felt like it was somewhere else. She says she was frequently thinking ahead wondering about her future, what her next steps might be, or how she would eventually rebuild her career. That constant forward-thinking mindset, she now realizes, kept her from soaking in certain moments with her children.
She recalled times when she attended hockey practices, school activities, and classroom events, yet wasn’t truly mentally present. Whether she was coordinating crafts for school, cheering from the sidelines, or managing the endless tasks that come with raising three young children, she often felt disconnected internally. It’s those moments she now looks back on with a sense of regret.
Bure became emotional as she described wishing she could have slowed down her thoughts and enjoyed the small, fleeting moments that make up the fabric of motherhood. Although she does not regret choosing to stay home, she wishes she had been more mindful and more present during those years.
A Look Back Childhood Stardom and Family Priorities
Candace’s journey through Hollywood began early. At just 11 years old, she was cast as D.J. Tanner, the eldest daughter in the Tanner household a role that would define her childhood and launch her into instant fame. After Full House concluded in 1995, she married NHL star Valeri Bure the following year. Their first child, Natasha, was born in 1998, followed by sons Lev and Maksim in 2000 and 2002.
As her family grew, Candace made the intentional choice to slow down her career. She appeared only occasionally in guest roles and TV movies while mainly focusing on life at home. At the same time, Valeri’s NHL career required constant travel and frequent moves from one city to another. She felt that supporting him and providing stability for their young children was the priority.
During a previous conversation with her Full House co-star Dave Coulier on his podcast Full House Rewind, Candace explained that this season of life felt natural. Her family was moving often, and she wanted to be available for her husband while being fully committed to raising their kids. The idea of maintaining a full-time acting career simply didn’t fit with the lifestyle they were living.
Coulier once told her that from the outside, he had wondered if she might leave acting behind for good. With a happy family and a busy home life, he imagined she might simply retire from the entertainment industry. But Bure revealed that she always hoped the door to acting would eventually reopen if the timing felt right.
Why She Returned to Acting
What pulled her back into the industry, she said, was the extraordinary experience she had growing up on Full House. Working with Dave Coulier, Bob Saget, John Stamos, and show creator Jeff Franklin left her with only positive memories. That kind of supportive, uplifting environment is rare in Hollywood, and it encouraged her to return once her children were older.
She credited her castmates and the hundreds of crew members who became like family as the reason she never permanently walked away from acting. Unlike many child stars who experience trauma or burnout, Bure says she is deeply grateful that her own Hollywood childhood was filled with healthy relationships and enriching mentorship.
That gratitude played a significant role in motivating her to re-enter the entertainment world decades later.
How Faith Shaped Her During Her Break
Another major part of her journey during those ten years was her spiritual growth. In previous interviews, Bure has spoken about how her years away from acting allowed her to embrace her faith in a deeper way. During an appearance on the New World Old Soul podcast in 2024, she shared that she spent years praying, reading Scripture, and learning to understand her purpose during that season of life.
She described that period as one of the most transformative of her life spiritually and emotionally. Motherhood, she said, was a calling she embraced wholeheartedly, even when it required sacrificing career opportunities. It also became the foundation upon which she rebuilt her life and eventually returned to the public eye.
A Season She Values With Honest Regrets
Now, with her children grown and her career thriving once again, Candace looks back with a mix of appreciation and humility. She emphasizes that she is grateful for the time she had at home and proud of the decision she made to prioritize her family. But she also acknowledges that motherhood is complicated, and even the best choices can come with bittersweet reflections.
Her regret, she says, is not about being a stay-at-home mother it’s about not being fully mentally present in every moment. And like many parents, she wishes she had savored more of the little things.
By sharing her story, Bure hopes other mothers will recognize the importance of slowing down mentally, even when life feels overwhelming. She encourages women to embrace the season they are in and to be fully present because those seasons pass faster than anyone expects.