On the pressures faced by today’s working moms-to-be: “We work up until the last minute, whether we’re throwing up or not! Then we’re expected to give birth in two seconds or we get a C-section, because doctors are in a rush. We barely sleep the first months of our child’s life, but we’re expected to get back into our skinny jeans right away.”

On her advice to working moms: “Figure out how you can help remedy the situation. Maybe it means making sure your baby is well cared for. You need to figure out what kind of mom you want to be and then find a way to be that mom. My mom worked, but it felt like she was always there for us.”

On her custody case: “A male judge who was retiring after spending his entire career in family law didn’t agree with me that it was important for Hermes to be able to bond with his baby sister. I hope that as more women become judges—and as more divorced women become judges—the family courts will change.”

Having a parent in the public eye certainly brings about its fair share of perks. For Matt Damon’s daughters, having a famous dad recently meant a once-in-a-lifetime meeting with Nelson Mandela.

“That was one of the great thrills of my life,” the actor raves during a recent appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman.

While in Africa filming his latest movie Invictus, Matt and his wife Luciana were approached about a possible get-together with the former South African president. “They said, ‘Madiba is going to be nearby and we could go see him,” he recalls.

The couple initially turned down the offer. “My wife and I said, ‘You know what, we would rather give him the gift of five minutes where he doesn’t have to take a picture and make small talk with somebody,’” he admits.

Insisting that he was up for the visit, the Damons’ excitement quickly turned to shock when it was suggested they bring along their three girls as well.

“So we did … it was amazing to watch him,” he marvels. “Lucy and I didn’t even talk to him, we just let him hang out with the kids. He bounced them on his knee.”

Noting that it was “great to watch the kids get that they were in the presence” of Mandela, the actor was struck by then 2-year-old Isabella’s insight minutes prior to the special occasion.

“We were standing outside waiting for security to invite us into the hotel room and I was holding her,” he shares. “Whether it was my heart beat or something she just figured out. She turned and looked at the door and then she looked at me and said, ‘Daddy, who’s behind that door?’”

And while Alexia, 11, was a bit more aware of the importance — having just completed a “mini-course” on Mandela when a few of her classmates joined her in Africa — Matt’s two younger daughters were equally mesmerized.

“[Isabella] and [Gia Zavala] couldn’t take their eyes off him. They just were looking at each other, completely locked on each other the entire time.”

Source: Late Show with David Letterman

– Anya

Filed under: Dads, Main, Parenting

Although Angel Iris, 2 ½ , was the first in the family to rock the edgy hairstyle — here she is with her full-on mohawk last summer — mom Melanie Brown and big sis Phoenix Chi, 11, are now on board as well.

On Tuesday, we spotted the former Spice Girl and her eldest daughter — plus their matching side-shaved haircuts — at the opening night of musical CATS in Hollywood.

Melanie also showed off her new hairstyle while out shopping with her youngest on Feb. 22 in Los Angeles.

Tell Us: What do you think of their 80s style ‘dos?

Filed under: Celeb Style, Fashion & Gear, Kids, Main

Backpack! Backpack! If those two words bring a smile to your child’s face — and conjure up images of knick knacks for you –  then chances are your family is well-versed in Dora the Explorer.

The hit Nickelodeon show is celebrating its 10th anniversary, and to mark the occasion celebrity parents like Salma Hayek and Slash have signed on to “Beyond the Backpack.”

A multi-year, multi-platform program, Beyond the Backpack stresses the importance of overall school readiness. By partnering with the Children’s Defense Fund and the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA), an advisory committee will assist preschoolers, their parents and their educators through a website which features downloadable content and tool kits, community events, financial resources and grants, fundraisers and more.

Objectives include social skills building, fostering emotional intelligence, strengthening early literacy and improving math skills.

Scott Kirkland/INF

Click below to learn more!

Salma — mom to Valentina Paloma, 2 — recently filmed Beyond the Backpack’s first PSA alongside Dora, herself. She and Slash — dad to London Emilio, 8 and Cash Anthony, 5 — have also designed limited-edition, Dora-themed backpacks which will be auctioned off this summer around the globe, in countries including the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Canada, Spain, The Netherlands, Greece, Australia, New Zealand and Israel.

All proceeds from the domestic auction will benefit The Children’s Defense Fund, while all international proceeds will go directly to early childhood education in their respective countries.

For 35 years, the Children’s Defense Fund has worked to ensure a level playing field for all children by championing policies and programs that lift children out of poverty, protect them from abuse and neglect and ensure their access to health care, quality education, and a moral and spiritual foundation.

A non-profit advocacy group, the Children’s Defense Fund is supported by foundation and corporate grants as well as individual donations. Click here to learn how else you can help.

Filed under: Caught Caring, Main, Philanthropy

Bethenny, who is in the midst of planning her wedding to fiancé Jason Hoppy, recently dished on her pregnancy cravings.

Your diet is still a bank account [when you're pregnant], you just have more to spend. I am not drinking alcohol or that much coffee but I’m craving orange juice. And split pea soup — it is like somebody else eating hot fudge. I could die over it. I had a moment a few days ago with a corn beef sandwich. It was like food porn. I was enjoying it so much that it should have been illegal.”

“They’re all thriving. That’s why we’re so excited about it here,” Matt tells the USA Today of stepdaughter Alexia, 11, and daughters Isabella, 3, and Gia, 1. “We’re not leaving. Nobody bothers me. The younger ones are not aware of any of the celebrity (stuff). We walk to school every morning. We play in the park. It feels like a normal life.”

Has Sheen gone back to his old ways? – Celebitchy

Howard Stern’s still tactless – Right Celebrity

6 of the best TV moms – lilSugar

7 tips for traveling internationally with kids – momversation

Megan Fox: are we seeing double? – Celebslam

The Tiger’s return is in full swing – Extra

Wilkinson, who has been married to football player Hank Baskett since last June, added, “I was just hoping Hank didn’t look at them! Having a different body was such a culture shock. I’m so used to being hot and fit.” She adds that though “it wasn’t that extreme, I did go through some depression.”

The former Playboy bunny does have a bit more self-confidence now, saying, “I love my legs, and I love my butt, but everything else I hate.”

Photo: Us Weekly