Ten celebrity parenting tips

Children are life-changing. No question. Not just in practical terms but emotionally, intellectually and spiritually.

The change happens in varying degrees. For some mums and dads, it’s a cataclysmic change that inspires cosmic realisations and for other parents it’s a more subtle in its nature.

I value my small daughter as an unconsciously brilliant teacher; she brings me insurmountable masses of joy and equal amounts of frustration, and I learn from it all. Mostly she has reminded me that generosity of spirit is essential and that a sense of humour priceless.

Celebrities, although denizens of the far off land of celebdom, become slightly more accessible to us ‘normal’ folk when we realise that many of them go through the same parenting struggles as we do (albeit with the help of nannies and au pairs). Parenthood binds us together in common goal and mind – to do the best that we can for our children.

Here are ten celebrity parenting tips from some celeb mums:

1. Kate Hudson: Trust your instincts – “I got so much advice I just started turning it out. If one more person told me what I had to do, I was going to shoot ‘em.”

2. Heidi Klum: Have self-confidence – “When your kids need you to be very strong and secure, it’s very natural to be.”

3. Catherine Zeta-Jones: Remember what’s important – “I have to be passionate and committed about something if it’s going to take me away from my kids.”

4. Eva La Rue: Forgive yourself – “You’re always going to feel guilty about something but it’s okay. There’s no way around it.”

5. Jennifer Garner: Relax – “I am in jeans that are on the floor and one of five T-shirts that I rotate.”

6. Gwyneth Paltrow: Learn to lighter up – “Could I cook butter, cheese and eggs without going down a kind of hippie spiral? Yes, of course!”

7. Thandie Newton: Love the little things – “I remember the first time Ripley saw her shadow. My God, it was like shadows had just been invented.”

8. Kate Thornton: Appreciate your mum – “It’s completely given me a new perspective on my mum. I’ve apologised profusely for the way I acted in the past!”

9. Mel Chrisholm: To be less selfish – “Before Scarlet, everything was about me, me, me. It’s a relief to have somebody else who becomes your priority.”

10. Jada Pinkett Smith: Be adventurous – “Being a mum has made me realise that life is an adventure. No two days are ever the same, which is amazing.”

Source: Gurgle – October/November 2011 edition: pp 70-75