This article was originally published on Kueez
Celebrities seem like they live in the lap of luxury without a care in the world. They have mansions and money to spare. But they have kids too, and these mini-humans need their parents to care for them just the same in Hollywood. How do our favorite public personalities deal with parenting challenges and still flash their megawatt smiles? Read on for their best tips and tricks, next!
Sir Elton John Teaches Finance With Special Jars
Elton John has certainly made a lot of money over the years. With over 300 million records sold, that now adds up to around $500 million in his bank account. Elton and his husband David Furnish have two boys, who are never deprived: Zachary and Elijah. But the singer's own boyhood was much more frugal: "I used to get my money at the end of the week, buy my mum something, or buy a record, and that was it." How does he pass on budget sense to his sons, when the family clearly has everything?
To teach an ongoing lesson, there are three important jars in the house. Whenever dad hands them cash, he makes them divide it evenly into an earnings jar, a savings jar, and a charity jar. We see what you did there, Elton!
Kristen Bell Has a Trick to Keep Track of Kids Around Cars
Children seem to be drawn to hazards like a moth to a flame. Moving vehicles? That's a daily problem in any parking lot. Actress Kristen Bell has a quirky idea to make sure little ones never run behind your back into traffic again. When everyone exits the car, they are instructed to go put their hand on the circle. Which circle? On Instagram, she shared: "'Hands on the circle' (the circle is the gas cap) was invented by my brilliant sister-in-law, and has thus far kept all kids safe from any oncoming traffic while I unload the trunk."
It's a smart move, from a smart mom who often shares her family tips with fans. The kids can play along as though it's a game, every time. Thanks, Kristen!
Melissa Joan Hart Buys Smelly Soap on Purpose
Melissa Joan Hart buys fragrant soap. Why? She explains the concept as follows: "My husband doesn’t let the kids do anything before they wash their hands: when they come home from school, when they come home from sports, before they have meals. Buy smelly soap, that’s key. Then you can definitely tell if your kids washed their hands. We do the smell test. I’ll ask, 'Did you wash your hands?' and, of course, they always lie. So I’ll say, 'Lemme smell ‘em,' and they’re like, 'All right fine, I’ll go back and wash them.'”
Grimy, slimy hands are a reality of childhood. But maybe with enough suds, that can be managed by mom and dad. Rosemary or eucalyptus can help keep everyone on track!
Chrissy Teigen Makes A Kiddie Breakfast Menu
She's a model, she's an actress. She's a creative cook. And she's also a mom! Chrissy Teigen has found a way to combine all her experience in the kitchen with her kids to make mornings fun. Her kids are picky eaters, and that can be a headache, each and every day. She makes a breakfast menu for little ones to encourage them to choose meals. Yes, just like a cafe!
It's always a delight to go to brunch, for adults. But kids can enjoy fine dining too! Moms all over the internet loved her idea, and it's spreading like cream cheese, as we speak.
Drew Barrymore Openly Shares Her Calendar
According to Drew Barrymore: "Olive has a working mom. So, I came up with a couple of systems. One of which is the calendar. It has been very successful recently. I circle with a sharpie every day I will be traveling. And I ask her to mark the day with an ‘X’ once it’s done. That way she can see that I am gone at first, still away in the middle, and then coming back towards the end. She now has a good sense of my geographic place from the globe. She knows when I am leaving and coming home."
The verdict: We love it. Drew sounds pretty smart, for an actress-turned-businesswoman who has made $125 million. Just kidding, that's not a surprise at all. Of course she has a kiddie calendar!
Kourtney Kardashian Says No Microwaves Allowed
Kourtney Kardashian never uses microwaves. Why not? She explained: “When I had Mason, I did a lot of health-related research and decided to get rid of my microwave when I read that toxins from plastic containers can be transferred to food when reheated (this applies to BPA-free plastic containers too)." We don't know if the science is totally in on that question. But Kourtney is taking no chances!
Instead, she uses the stove and the oven. Maybe she has an air fryer, too, or a George Foreman grill? We don't know all the contraptions in this Kardashian kitchen, but we're sure she has the very best. That's just how this family rolls!
Gisele Bündchen Is a Potty Training Innovator
Potty training is a special time when diapers are conquered and left behind. But what's the best way to teach a tot about the pot? According to supermodel Gisele Bündchen, it only requires one strategy. She claims it worked at just six months old for her son Benjamin, which will probably stun some frustrated parents. To make this a pattern early on, Gisele watched her baby closely for signs he had to go. Then. she held him over the toilet.
It didn't take that long, each time. She explains: "Give it about five minutes, and bang." After keeping him on a strict schedule doing this several times a day, he got the idea.
Mayim Bialik Is Against Using Nannies or Babysitters
Mayim Bialik is a 24/7 mom. She never uses outside help and prefers to do all the kiddie watching herself. Why? She shares: "[It's] not because we think we're better than anyone else, but it's just a personal decision that we want to be the caregivers for our kids. So we're making it work that way, because that's what we feel is best for our children, and everything else fits in around that. To us, nothing is more important than being with our children at any given point of the day."
We get it. But that's a tall order, for most working moms. Perhaps Mayim can afford to stay home all day, at this point. The Big Bang Theory star now has a net worth of $25 million!
Hilary Duff Always Comes Packed for Chaos
Hilary Duff is best known for her roles on teen TV, back in the day. Now, most of her fans are thinking about or already starting motherhood. And she is in the same boat! As a new parent, Hilary is trying to share her best tips with her followers. For puke and diaper duty: Mama Duff always packs a second outfit for herself, in the event of an infant explosion. Once, a big mess happened on an airplane!
The actress shared: “He had an extra outfit, but I didn’t. That was an interesting last hour and a half of the plane ride. He was clean, he was good...I wasn’t. So I’ve shoved an extra T-shirt into my bag ever since."
Bethenny Frankel Thinks You Should Breastfeed Privately
Bethenny Frankel shared her early motherhood journey with fans, including her choice to breastfeed her daughter Bryn. But she doesn't do it out in the open. According to the reality star: "I think, unless you are Pamela Anderson, you shouldn't be showing anyone your breasts besides your husband and your baby...Whipping out your boob at the dinner table is a good diet tip for everyone else."
Never afraid to speak her mind, some felt her advice was too harsh. Others wholeheartedly agreed. The debate goes on about this issue, and there is no end in sight!
Alicia Silverstone Says You Should Mouth-Feed Your Kid
Clueless star Alicia Silverstone wants to give us a clue about feeding our kids. She advises bird behavior, which she used with son Bear. The actress explained her technique: "I fed Bear the mochi and a tiny bit of veggies from the soup from my mouth to his. It's his favorite…and mine. He literally crawls across the room to attack my mouth if I'm eating." Say what?
We don't know if people are really open to the idea, but it was worth mentioning from celebrity land. Different strokes, for different folks. Different mothers, for one another.
Jada Pinkett Smith Doesn’t Have Rules About Punishment
Will and Jada Pinkett Smith share their family life with kids Trey, Jaden, and Willow pretty openly on social media. The younger Smiths have started to show their personalities and talents, and the public wants to know more about them. Most of us have no idea what it is like growing up with two very famous parents. It seems like the coolest house on the block, from afar. What were the rules?
There have to be some since Jada admits she does punish the kids sometimes. But that's where things get flexible. The Smith kids are allowed to choose their own punishment! Would that have worked in your house?
Tamera Mowry Is All About Routines and Machines
One half of the Mowry twins, actress Tamera Mowry has been beloved since the '90s. Her fans are now moms, in some cases, and love to see the journey she is on with her two young kids. Tamera has offered advice on putting infants to bed, and it requires two elements. The first, is consistency: Set a time for the ritual and stick to it. But to aid in the process, she recommends this one trick.
Tamera recommends a sound machine. Docs say to put it seven feet away from the crib, and then turn it on. This is a sort of lullaby for babies, who can actually hear things in the womb. It's soothing post-birth, too.
Angelina Jolie Says Not to Keep Any Secrets From Your Kids
Angelina Jolie advises parents to keep no secrets when it comes to life's big questions. She explained: "We have a policy in our family, no secrets...I mean, there's an age of understanding, so you've got to present it in a way that is age-appropriate, but we know our children very well...We want everything to be on the table and any questions they have, for them to ask."
Angelina is smart, and she probably knows that one answer will not be the same for her 10 and 15-year-old. It would be intriguing to hear how she explains life, we must admit. Like how do birds actually mate? Or fish, for that matter. We still don't know!
Hugh Jackman Says No Screens on Weekdays
Hugh Jackman and wife Deborah Lee-Furness ended up adopting, and they love being parents. The man who plays Wolverine actually has quite the soft side, and he frequently talks about fatherhood. What's his best tip, so far? According to Hugh: “A buddy of mine has a rule that I installed: No screens during the week. No TV, or computer, or anything like that." Why, though?
Hugh explained further: “They seem to be at school longer than ever. They have all sorts of after-school activities. By the time you have eaten and showered and dressed, it is over. So there is not much time for it anyway.” It's tempting to let devices babysit. But maybe he's right!
Jenna Fischer Uses Ikea as a Theme Park
Jenna Fischer has shared a genius hack for toddlers seeking adventure. She used Ikea as a game for her son, Winston: "We would get coffee, and then we would let him toddle through Ikea, and then we would end with an ice cream. It was super safe, everything was really soft. But also he loved that there were arrows on the ground, he loved following the arrows, and then there's the kids' section of Ikea. Ikea really is the Disneyland for 18-month olds."
We never realized just how baby-proofed this store was, but Jenna has enlightened us. The arrows are a great way to practice walking, and there's so much to see and touch!
Ashton Kutcher Recommends a Particular High Tech Crib
Ashton Kutcher married his sitcom sweetheart, Mila Kunis. Then, they got right to work, baby-making. In recent years, the actor has made himself a sort of second career in tech investing, and he often discusses products that inspire him. When it came to his baby, he recommended the robotic. rocking SNOO crib. On a podcast, Ashton explained the spec: "For kid number two, we got one of those SNOOs. It’s an oscillating bed...it has a sensor in it so the louder the kid cries, the faster it goes and puts the kid back to sleep. It’s incredible."
Ashton seems to be on to something, here. It does seem like robots are going to take all our jobs one day. But if they come for midnight baby duty, few parents are going to complain!
Busy Philipps Uses Sibling Rivalry for Vegetables
It's not always easy to motivate kids to eat the vitamins they need. But Busy Philipps seems to have invented the perfect game to make her little Cricket and Birdie do it willingly. She uses sibling rivalry! Busy explained: “I’m like, ‘I feel like Cricket’s going to finish her broccoli first,’ and then Birdie’s like, ‘I can finish it first.'” Usually, parents try to limit this kind of competition. But is this not a good cause to make an exception?
Funny enough, it seems to be working out. We all remember hating one veggie or another in childhood. If Busy continues, her kids will have pretty developed tastes, before all their friends.
Sarah Michelle Gellar Make Them Drink Every Last Milk Drop
Sarah Michelle Gellar clearly has the funds to waste all the milk she wants. But she doesn't want her kids to learn bad lessons, and she has decided to make them literally pay for wasteful behavior. The actress explained: "My daughter was doing this thing lately where she was asking me for a cup of milk and not drinking it. So I told her that every time she'd ask me for a cup of milk and not drink it, I would take a quarter out of her piggy bank. Someone has to pay for that milk."
Sarah Michelle always did seem like a down-to-earth, relatable gal, and this proves our suspicions. Maybe that's why she has one of the longest marriages in Holywood, to actor Freddie Prinze Jr. Almost 20 years, and going strong!
Jessica Biel Has a Breakfast Routine in the Shower
Jessica Biel has a tip, but we have to admit that it's odd. The wife of Justin Timberlake eats breakfast in the shower, to multitask as a working actress and a parent to son Silas. Why the extreme meal? She explains: "This is just mom life. I do not have time. I don't have time for anything. I'm feeding him [toddler Silas] in the morning, trying to get ready and I realize I haven't eaten, I just take it into the shower. You should try. Sometimes it's a huge success, sometimes it's a huge failure."
Every parent knows that time is precious, and it's always nice to figure out shortcuts. But we have to wonder what she is eating under the water pressure. Almost anything soggy sounds awful!
Chance the Rapper Has Perfected the Art of Cry-Free Combing
Chance the Rapper might seem like he's too busy to do the mundane daily tasks of child grooming. But maybe he doesn't see it that way. Maybe it's a chance to bind with his young daughters. So far, he has figured out a few tips to make the process less painful, for all involved. His recipe? He uses argan oil, shea butter, water, and a wide-toothed comb. Then, the magic begins!
Those dreaded tangles are minimized with the combo, without a doubt. It sounds like a great way to keep adult hair shiny and healthy, too. Maybe we will try it out ourselves, next shower!
Bruce Willis Is All About Maximum Quality Time at Home
Bruce Willis is a notorious family man, going above beyond dad duty in all ways. Even after divorce, he would still hang out with the kids and their mom so they could feel like a family. Ex Demi Moore is a cool lady though, so maybe that wasn't so hard. Bruce advises new parents: “Stay home for the first year, don’t go anywhere, just be there. Play with that baby every day.”
During the pandemic, Bruce decided to stay home and quarantine with his ex-wife, her boyfriend, their kids, and extra boyfriends, too. It was the biggest happy family we've ever seen, all in onesies.
Tom Cruise Wants You to Eat Your Wife’s Placenta
Do we always agree with Tom Cruise? No, no we don't. But we are at least curious about his ideas for new parenthood, and we tracked down his public statements. Before baby Suri was born, Tom Cruise gave an interview to GQ. He proclaimed: "I'm gonna eat the placenta. I thought that would be good. Very nutritious." Now, we've heard of mothers eating it to replenish their own nutrients. But dads? That's something brand new.
Later, Tom downplayed the idea. Maybe he realized it was wacky, or at least that he sounded wacky. But we can't unsee what we've seen here. Hopefully, Katie didn't allow it!
Tom Fletcher Explains That iPads Only Work On Airplanes
Parents are often tempted to let the TV or computer babysit their kids.iPads are even more tempting since they can be taken anywhere, and provide an instant distraction. But musician Tom Fletcher decided he wouldn't allow this to be a crutch. Obviously, his kids protested. But he came up with the idea of telling them iPads only work on airplanes. We see what you did there, Tom.
At home, they think they can no longer use an iPad. They might actually play with legos or dolls. They might have to use their imagination or play sports. Even if it is a little white lie, isn't this situation what those were made for?
Robert Downey Jr. Thinks Leaving the Nest Is Crucial
Robert Downey Jr. has seen it all, in Hollywood. He's been around stars for decades, and he has noticed what parenting works and fails. Rich kids can go either way, it seems. Rob advises: “Sometimes you really have to be drop-kicked out of the nest. There are some parents who have done it right and told their kid, ‘we have this dough, but none of it is for you. You have to get your own.’”
The actor has three of his own children, ranging from elementary school to working adult. With a net worth of $300 million, we can see why he has thought about the traps of wealth so much.
Kim Kardashian Breastfeeds Differently
Kim Kardashian has four kids at various ages, she has tons of advice for other women. For example, what happens when kids get jealous of the new baby? Kim shared a story about her daughter North on The Ellen Show: "She's just so jealous, I can't hold him, I have to stop breastfeeding him. When I was breastfeeding him she was so jealous I had to get a little milk box and put it in the other bra with a straw so he would drink and she would drink!"
Yes, you read that right. Kim used a straw to fool her older child and make breastfeeding a family activity. Is this unconventional? Maybe, But if it worked, it worked.
Blake Lively Installed a Kiddie Comment Box
Blonde baby mama Blake Lively has really enjoyed building a family with Ryan Reynolds. They're husband and wife, mom and dad. They're both pretty open-minded people, and they've brought that ethos to the home. Blake has shared that there is a comment box for the kids, just like a restaurant: "The kids could leave comments on what you could do better, or what the other kids could do better."
What could a small child complain about? Odds are, anything. But it's important to know, and grow! Since Blake and Ryan have such a good sense of humor, it probably provides some daily laughs, at least.
Mark Zuckerberg Discovered This Diaper Changing Hack
Mark Zuckerberg has given us Facebook. And now, he's here to give us tips on diaper changing. According to the dad of two: "I'm a pretty competitive guy, so I timed myself. To make sure that I can get better and better and better over time. So, I got it down to, like, 20 seconds. I think that's pretty good, right? The trick is to slide the new diaper under the old one."
Mark works in tech, and loves to solve problems. To do this, he probably uses a keyboard more than anything else. But sometimes, there is no virtual solution. You just have to try not to get your hands dirty!
Jennifer Garner Has a Family Yes Day
Jennifer Garner thinks that always saying no to your kids is no way to live. You might even feel worse about it than them! To be the cool mom you always wanted to be, she suggests having a 'yes' day. Inspired by a kids' book with the same name, she does it every year. Jennifer opens up one day where she must say yes to anything and everything. Imagine the freedom!
Overall, this is really about preventing a repetitive routine for kids. Things can get boring fast when you're in elementary school, and that's no fun at all. Break the cycle, with Yes Day!
Elka Whalan Categorizes Groceries For Her Kids
Olympic swimmer Elka Whalan maintains a strict diet for professional reasons. You can't be too flabby and not add seconds to your time, so she watches her weight. There is no reason for her kids to get crazy about calories at this stage. But Elka does want them to understand balance. In her home, all foods are split into categories. There are everyday foods and there are 'sometimes' foods. You can probably guess which is which!
Elka knows that kids love junk food, and she hasn't banned it from the snack drawer. Even she has to resist the temptation in her own house, she is able to do it. Olympians are known for discipline, so that's no surprise.
Leah Remini Says to Just Give In Sometimes
Leah Remini is a softie, it turns out. She shared that she and her husband failed to wean their baby, for some time: "We're definite pushovers and at the end of the day you have to follow your heart...Sofia was crying again for a bottle of milk and then I started crying I think because I felt so bad...It just doesn't feel right for me to have a screaming baby and to say no to a bottle."
Some parents wean years earlier than others. But in regards to this family, it seems like everything turned out all right. Sofia is now a teenager, and fully off the bottle.
Pamela Anderson Encourages Experimentation With Certain Substances
Former Baywatch star and rockstar girlfriend Pamela Anderson has some unconventional views to share with parents. Why not let kids experiment, and figure out vices in a safe way? That's what she did with her own sons. According to Pam: "We want them to practice safe sex, drink, and experiment with drugs in moderation, find true love."
Ex-husband Tommy Lee certainly did that in his own youth. Maybe he had some insights, too. We are not sure if most parents are going to try this one, but it's interesting to know how the other half lives.
Ewan McGregor Just Wants You to Physically Be There
According to actor Ewan McGregor: "I realize it can be boring to play with young children—to tell a story over and over again let’s say—but the secret is being there. If you’ve made a decision to play with your children, then play with them. Don’t be looking through papers on your desk or sneaking off to the computer. Turn off your BlackBerry. Lose yourself in their world. Even if you do it for a short time, it will mean a lot to you and them."
It's sweet, really. Just be there, physically. Pay attention. It's kiddie quality time! For working parents, that can be a challenge, for sure. But it's something to think about, at least for the weekends.
Melissa McCarthy Advises Early Bedtimes for Everybody
Melissa McCarthy is a funny lady, and a smart cookie, too. She's pretty busy with filming all the time, but she is a mom and a wife. How does she wear all these hats? Mel advises that couples tuck kids in bed early so they themselves can get to bed early. They can also spend a little quality time together, as the evening winds down. When kids arrive, parents need to remember time for themselves.
Melissa McCarthy and husband Ben Falcone try this “early bird special” whenever they have the chance. But it's not always easy to get cooperation. Some kids just love to stay up late. Morning people and night owls are set early, it seems.
Celine Dion Says Kids Should Make Their Own Conscious Choices
Celine Dion had a long and happy marriage with late husband René Angélil. Even though he has passed on, Celine has the children they made together. Here they all are, pictured during family time at Disneyland. The twins were celebrating their 6th birthday, and we have a feeling that they chose that park. Celine advises a philosophy of choice for kids, encouraging them to make their own decisions whenever possible. What's another example?
One of her sons didn’t get his first haircut until he was eight. That's when his school demanded it, but he was allowed to go long and free before then. He liked it that way, and Celine liked that he made his own decision.