Gwyneth Paltrow hosts cancer benefit auction, talks work

by CBB correspondent Joyce:

Gwyneth Paltrow, who was nursing a cold she caught from her son, Moses, 10 months, hosted a cancer benefit auction on Thursday and discussed her plans to return to acting. After being a full-time mom for more than two years to Moses and daughter Apple, 2 1/2, Gwyneth can’t wait to return to a movie set (up next is Iron Man), and she thinks working will only make her a better person.

I haven’t done a real part in a long time. I’m going back to work now. When I had kids, I just wanted to be with them. [But doing one movie a year] makes you more interesting as a person and wife and mother.

Gwyneth and Chris Martin have been married for three years.

Source: USA Today

Comments

I am a Gwyneth Paltrow fan, she is one of my favorite celebrity Mommy’s, BUT her arrogance blothers me at times. Everyone in Hollywood says that fame is very addicting. Gwyneth, you going back to work b/c you choose to doesn’t make you a more interesting person, it makes you more selfish. You are leaving others to care for your kids, b/c you choose to, not b/c you have to. Don’t lie to us mother’s, we can see right through your bull. You are going back to work b/c you are addicted to the fame aspect. You are jealous that other “meaty” movie rolls are going to other actresses. Don’t use the mask of wanting to be more interesting for really wanted to be more admired by the public. That is a joke! I am a fan of yours, but it is hard to take you seriously when you say ridiculous comments like that. You talk out of two sides of your mouth… one “oh I just want to be a mom.” then the other “oh I want to be a more interesting person, so I need to make movies. Give me, and all other mother’s out there, a break!

- Mommy Club CEO on February 16th, 2007

I really like Gwyneth Paltrow a lot. However, some of these celebrities are always saying how working makes them better moms and it makes them more interesting. I myself am a stay at home mom and feel truly blessed to be able to stay at home. I feel more interesting and like a better person more so now then I did when I was working before I had my daughter. There is nothing better in life then being woken up by your child and realizing that you can spend the entire day with them going to their activies, play dates, and just watching them grow as little humans. Please do not flame me. I have nothing against moms who have to work or who choose to work. Being a stay at home mom is what works for my family and I still feel that I have an identity besides being a mom.

- mdterp on February 16th, 2007

Gwyneth – I am a fan of yours as well. I agree that your comments are very insulting. I am a stay-at-home mother of a 20-month-old daughter. My break time is her nap time. Just b/c I stay at home with her does not make me less interesting than my girlfriend of an 18-month-old boy who works for a living. Your comments are inconsiderate. You are going back to work b/c it is your choice. You do not need to work b/c of money. Your 10-month-old son will not benefit from having a nanny watch him, versus his mother. Poor Moses, Apple got your 24/7 care, but he isn’t worth it? Give me a break. When you have kids, it is a sacrafice. You made the decision to have two children, own up to it, take responsibility and care for them, don’t blame it on wanting to be more interesting. Your fan base is more intelligent than that!

- Stay-at-home Mommy on February 17th, 2007

I don’t think Gwyneth P’s comments are insulting at all. I think some stay at home moms are being overly sensitive, to be honest – she’s not making judgements on anyone else – she’s simply saying that for her, she feels she needs a corner of the world to nurture her own creativity and feeling of accompplishment in her career, which was already established when she had kids.

Lots of moms had kids without having a career established, and don’t need income or activity outside the home to feel fulfilled (because they weren’t particularly attached to a living before they had kids). That’s great. Likewise, some of us had work experiences that we didn’t care much for, and once we had kids, we don’t miss that work, so we make the shift to full-time mamahood (and our partners make enough money to allow us to stay home). That’s also great.

So what’s wrong with Gwyneth P saying that for her personally, she has this other aspect of her career to explore and develop? Nothing. She’s being honest, and not judging anyone. Did she say that staying at home makes SAHMs less interesting? NO. The previous commenters are the ones who made that leap of logic. Relax! Don’t be so defensive. Be proud, and be glad that all of us have the choice to pursue what we feel compelled to pursue, in balance with motherhood.

- sweetsalty kate on February 19th, 2007