"Deliriously Tired" Jennifer Lopez Trains for Triathlon

Jennifer Lopez is one busy woman! Not only is she mom to twins Max David and Emme Maribel, 5 months, but she is a singer, actress, producer, fashion designer and beginning to launch her own foundation. A person may think that Max and Emme would be enough to keep the 39-year-old busy, but its just the opposite. In fact, Jennifer admits to Self that she thought she’d be ready to "just sit still with the babies when they were born, but they’ve actually made me more ambitious" — so much so that she has been training for a triathlon! Jennifer ran across the event — which includes running, cycling, and swimming — on television while she was "laid out like a beached whale, carrying these two cherubs" and decided that it was something she could do to make them proud.

It’s important to me to set examples for them. I want to lead with my life. I want to say, ‘You should do this because I’ve done it, and I know it makes you a better person and it makes you feel great and sleep better and be happier.’

Training for the race has also helped Jennifer with her postpartum weight loss. She admits that "working out and getting back in shape isn’t exciting to me, but training for a triathlon is." So far, Jennifer has lost over half of the baby weight, but reveals that she’s still 15 to 18 pounds overweight. "On occasional days, 20!," the singer says. "My body’s different, although in a weird way, it feels normal."

Click ‘Continue Reading’ to find out why Jennifer no longer uses nannies and two of her ‘fuzzy moments’ that many of us can relate to!

Even though she and husband Marc Anthony are busy, Jenniferdidn’t "like the barrier between me and my children" when the couplestarted off with nannies. When the twins were eight weeks old, Jenniferand Marc decided that they would go at it alone, because "I wanted toraise them," and "I wanted to be the first face they see everymorning." The actress also wanted her children to know that they canalways count on her. After getting "rid of everybody," the coupleconfronted the task of divvying up the parenting duties. Jenniferexplains that at the beginning, "Marc was the night shift and I was theday," but that Marc "was like ‘I hate this,’" so they agreed that"we’re just going to help each other all day and all night." For nightsout, the couple enlists the help of Jennifer’s mother or sisters.

Being a new mom can be extremely tiring for a woman, and even moreso when you have two. Jennifer admits that she finds herself havingfuzzy moments due to being "deliriously tired," something she thinks"any new mother or father can relate to."

[I] think,’Did I leave the baby over there? Oh, my God! Let me go get him!’ or’Did I put cream on the baby after I changed him, or is he just raw upin there right now?’

Source: Self Magazine, September issue; Photo by VIRGINIE LEFOUR/ AFP/Getty.

Thanks to CBB reader Theresa.

Comments

I believe they don’t have nannies. When I go back to work in a few months, we’re not going to have a nanny either. My mom will watch our daughter ten hours a day several days a week, but she’s not a “nanny”–she’s “Nana.”

Seriously, I really wish they’d quit with the “we don’t have nannies” stuff. They have twins, and both work. You can call them babysitters, or Grandma, or whatever, but no one believes that they don’t have any help caring for those babies. She’s trying to make herself look like a normal mom, but she’s failing. We working mommies would appreciate a celebrity mom who came out and said how thankful she was that she has and can afford good childcare that allows her to work. There is no way they both can fulfill all their work obligations, train for a triathlon, and properly care for twins, without significant amounts of childcare. Just admit it!

- Pencils on August 16th, 2008

good for them giving up on the nannies! I give Jennifer a lot of credit.. I could never train for a triathalon with 5 month old twins! I couldn’t even train for a triathlon now!!

- Heather Lynn on August 16th, 2008

really? no nannies? i’m sure they have other helpers around the house that takes care of the twins

- janie on August 16th, 2008

I saw this magazine at the store yesterday and decided not to buy it because I figured the interview would be awful. Now I wish I’d bought it

Jennifer and Marc seem like normal parents to me. It’s nice to see a celebrity 5 months postpartum to say they are still 20 pounds from where they were. Usually, 3 months ago she’d have been 5 pounds under where she was!

It’s also great they are setting examples for their kids. I have always looked up to my parents because of the amazing things they have accomplished and I’m sure Max and Emme will be proud too.

- Kayla on August 16th, 2008

mmm i dont work and I cant take a shower let alone train for a trialalon?????
i do understnad the need for ME time- and training probbaly provides perameters for that- which helps!
also as a mum with three kids i take ALL THE HELP i can get!!! =)

- ekaterina on August 16th, 2008

She didn’t say they didn’t have any help at all. She said her mom and sisters do help out with the babies. Plus they have a lot of family to help out.

She can’t win with some people. They’ll hate if she had nannies and hate if she says she doesn’t have any. As far as her mentioning it, I’m sure she’s asked about it by whoever is doing the interview.

I’m proud of what she’s doing. She’s doing something positive by launching her own foundation to help other people, yet people still feel the need to criticize her.

I love that she does her own thing regardless of what people say!

- terri on August 16th, 2008

also.. i could do a much better job parenting IF i had a maid, gardener, a chef, an personal shopper,an asistant… etc etc et…mm maybe they can do it all! LOL

- ekaterina on August 16th, 2008

This is hard to believe. Except for the part about the running….from what?? !!

- brookefan on August 16th, 2008

janie- in the mag, it said that although they have no nannies, her mom and sister help out when needed. she’s saying they dont have nannies, not that she doesnt have help. most of us have families that help out. its great to hear shes got rid of the nannies.

- ellie on August 16th, 2008

People seem to be missing the part about them having help from family. Plus I’ve followed both their careers for a while now and they rarely work at the same time. I’m sure that will be more so now because of the babies.

- terri on August 16th, 2008

ekaterina

My thoughts exactly! Part of parenting for us ‘normal’ folks does involve meal preparation/cleaning/folding…and all of those mundane misc chores around the house. Without having to do any of those, I too would be ready to run a triathlon!! HAHA

- Brooklyn on August 16th, 2008

I can understand why some people have their doubts about her having a nanny. She seems extremely busy with all of the projects she has (and Marc too) so how do you find the time to do all of that, even with family help. Triathlon???? Are you kidding? There is nothing wrong with hiring help. I don’t think it makes you a bad Mom, she’s lucky to be able to afford it. I was doubtful myself but decided to give Jennifer the benefit of the doubt.

PS She can always send the help my way. I would LOVE to have a nanny.

- Sarah on August 16th, 2008

Honestly, I don’t know if I buy the “no nanny” thing, mainly because even with family help, there are only so many hours in the day. Now, if it’s true…that’s great! If I had her money tho, I would have all the help I could get but that’s me.

- Nina on August 16th, 2008

Family are not nannies. Plus Marc is probably around a lot. It’s not like he has a 9 to 5 job. He can be there to take up the slack a lot of the time when Jennifer is off training for her Triathalon. Maybe you can’t compare her to mothers like you and I but you can to many other celebrity mothers who seem to have a nanny for every kid…and Jennifer wins hands down for being there for her kids.

- Tazina on August 16th, 2008

Ah-ha …. now it all makes sense why their restaurant was abruptly closed. I could be totally wrong, but the timing lines up pretty perfectly. This would have been right around the time they let the nannies go. Because the sign just indicated closed until further notice. The Mom was at the restaurant a lot, now if she is helping Jen & Marc more, it makes sense why they might have decided to close it for a while.

I’m amazed at Jen’s determination and energy. I can’t imagine how exhausted she must be. I only have one and I’m exhausted and can never seem to get anything done. I guess if you push yourself, you can get things done. It’s definitely possible, especially if you’re ambitious and Jennifer Lopez is definitely in the ambitious category! It’s inspiring.

- OC Mommie on August 16th, 2008

jennifer hasnt worked for any sustained time since she was on tour pregnant.
and marc toured a few months ago, and both jennifer and the twins came with him, as did jennifers family, her sister etc.
its not like they have a 9 to 5 job. they can choose when to and when not to, they have a lot more flexability and she’s very close to her family. and she probably trains when the babies are napping or when marc or family are watching them. of course her family help with the twins, she said so in the article, so she isnt trying to come off as wonderwoman, far from it, shes talking about how hard and tiring it is.

of course generally it’s easier for ALL celeb parents, because they have the money and flexability most of us dont.

for example, could any of us afford even the simple pleasures like taking our child to the park and to art classes during the day, every other day like jennifer garner appears to? nope, we have morgages and bills to pay and most of us work during the week all day.

celebs in general have it easier, so i dont know why jennifer always seems to be targeted for having no nannys. she said she doesnt have nanny’s, not that she doesnt help.

- ellie on August 16th, 2008

Can y’all believe that Ben Affleck almost married J.Lo? She just seems like the polar opposite of our girl Jen Garner. (I think Ben traded up!)

- Kaye on August 16th, 2008

So does it make her less than a “real” mother because she can afford help? I mean seriously. Some of these comments come off soooo jealous. I understand that some of us on this board take care of our children and we don’t have any maids or nannies or gardeners or chefs. But seriously, does it make us better than celebrities that do? And I know “regular” moms that don’t have those luxuries that have run marathons. Just like another poster pointed out, there are some people that will always find something to critize others for. If she doesn’t have a nanny she’s lying. If she does, she’s a horrible mother.

- Marcie on August 16th, 2008

I don’t know, there’s just something that has always rubbed me the wrong way with her. I’m sure she’s a perfectly nice woman but I just haven’t seen it (ever).

It’s true that she does have the time to take care of the babies and train for a trialathon, since she isn’t working a normal 9-5 job (although when celebrities do work, they work more like 18-hour days than an 8-hour day – this is where nannies come in handy).

- Stephany on August 16th, 2008

It really wouldn’t be that hard of a life…
She only has 2 babies…it’s not impossible to take care of 1 set of twins with parents that really don’t go to work every day like the rest of us. Yes, they may not have nannies, but like some other posters have said they probably hire people to do everything else that needs to get done every day (like laundry, meals, housework, accountants, gardeners, etc…) so Marc, Jen and their family can focus on the care of the twins, and Jennifer can find a couple hours every day to work out for her triathalon. Sounds pretty cushy IMO…

- SH on August 16th, 2008

I for one don’t see anything wrong with they have or don’t have nannies. If they do have a nanny or a babysitter, they are creating a job position, someone can make some income. I think that’s great that people are giving other people work and I would get all the help I can as well.

On other note, i recall that there was an article a while ago (I dont know where though but I read it on some of the websites) that no nanny can stay with them bcause they are demanding very long hours and extreme workload. She couldnt find anyone and those she already had quite quite quickly. Anyone has read it?

- Molly on August 16th, 2008

Marcie, I understand – damned if she does, damned if she doesn’t.

I really would like to like Jennifer, but.
But.

(And this may be slightly off topic)

I do not (this is personally) understand how someone could say
“It’s important to me to set examples for them. I want to lead with my life. I want to say, ‘You should do this because I’ve done it”

In reference to nannies, or triathlons – when that would be a beautiful sentence has she been referring to breastfeeding.

YES, I know, off topic, but as I said, I would like to like her — but I feel that her priorities are most definitely not in order.

- N.S on August 16th, 2008

molly, that was just tabloid rumours which were obviously nonsense.. if she wanted nannys, she’d have them. she chose to let them go, for the reasons she said in the interview.

- ellie on August 16th, 2008

maid, gardener, chef, personal shopper,an assistant… etc etc et…mm maybe they can do it all! LOL

***you took the words out of my mouth!

- Allison on August 16th, 2008

Everyone is focusing on the nanny issue and not even paying any attention the fact that she’s doing something for a cause…geez!

OC Mommie, Jen’s dad ran her restaurant. Her mom wasn’t involved in the business. Her mom lives in NY and the restaurant is in Cal.

Molly, that story about the nanny quiting and she couldn’t get any one else came from the UK press which means it was probably pure gossip.

Jen takes a beating for having extra help like assistants and all but so does every other celeb, but I don’t see them on here getting criticized for it. That’s pretty much given if you are a celeb. If she chooses not to employ a nanny that’s her business. If some other celeb said it they would be getting praised all over for it.

- terri on August 16th, 2008

Terri, I find your comment about the UK press a bit snide. Do you think it’s just the press over here that say bad things?! This is funny, considering that Jennifer and Marc live in a country that gifted the world with the National Enquirer! I’m not knocking anyone anywhere, I just don’t like the idea that because a story may have originated from a particular country, this means it’s rubbish. That’s not fair or true and is somewhat shortsighted.

On the issue of the nannies, so what if they have help or don’t have help? As long as those babies are well cared for, that’s all that matters.

- phoebe on August 16th, 2008

I’ve never understood what the big deal is about nannies. I mean some celebs make this huge deal over being “real” mothers and not using nannies. Well my family is not rich and we are real and we have and will continue to have nannies. It makes it a lot easier to do the fun stuff with your kids if you have a nanny to deal with the tedious/time consuming things (like laundry, cleaning up rooms, etc.). I don’t think less of people that have nannies and I don’t think more of people who don’t just because they don’t. Whatever works for someone is what they should choose. No one should be feeling superior because they chose not to employ a nanny.

- Haylo on August 16th, 2008

I think many celebrities exaggerate in terms of how little help they have or need in taking care of their kids. Maybe because they feel like they would be judged by all of the average (working/non working) moms out there.

All I know is that when my 5 month old (one baby) was waking up every 4 hours or so, I would have been happy to pay some one to get up and feed her!

- sofsmom on August 16th, 2008

I have no interest either way on the nanny issue, but I was a little disturbed by the ‘you should do this because I’ve done it’ quote. I understand that Jennifer has amazing drive and passion for life, and I understand her wish for that to be passed on to her children.
But I do hope that she won’t be disappointed in them if they grow up to lead ‘normal’ average lives and don’t feel the need to be outrageously successful or follow a lot of different paths in life at the same time, like she has. I hope she gives them the freedom to be whoever they want to be, whether that be a high-flying entrepreneur or a 9-5 office worker.

- Sabina on August 16th, 2008

So according to some people women who use nannies are not good mothers? Because that’s the idea I get whenever I see comments how good is she for not having nannies. Having a nanny doesn’t mean that anyone is a bad mother and I don’t understand how anyone can judge a mother for having extra help. I know plenty of regular working families would love to able to afford a nanny. I don’t get why mothers have to attack other mothers. Anyhow, Jennifer sounds like she has found a balance between motherhood and going after what she wants which is great

- Renee on August 16th, 2008

I’m glad Jennifer Lopez is enjoying training and having a fun way to loose the baby weight.

I seriously doubt they have no nannies. They might not have any live-in help, but I doubt they’re going at it alone.

I do give them credit for trying to be very involved with their twins. Both Jen and Marc seem like very loving parents.

After their extremely fancy photoshoot with People magazine which seemed to me to show off more about how much expensive stuff the twins had than the twins themselves, I’m glad Jen is doing something normal like training for a triathlon.

- Megan B on August 16th, 2008

“Terri, I find your comment about the UK press a bit snide.”

I’m referring to the UK tabloids and yes all tabloids print gossip that’s not true, but I find the UK totally incorrect most of the time especially when reporting about celebs in the US. jmo on it.

- terri on August 16th, 2008

A LOT of you are sooooo judgemental. I agree with an earlier post, jealousy is ALL in these comments!!

- Tina on August 16th, 2008

Frankly, the comments regarding nannies isn’t what made me raise an eyebrow in this interview. It was her comment about “leading by example” that struck me as a bit odd.

Uhm, what about encouraging children to be their own people? You know, learn and discover what works best for you?

- shidney on August 16th, 2008

No jealousy here. This interview makes her sound the most “down to earth and Jenny from the block” she has in a very long time. How refreshing that she has weight struggles post-partum like most women have. Sounds like she is realistic.

A good interview, thanks!

- de on August 16th, 2008

Her family is her nanny. Nothing wrong with that. Jennifer leads a life where she can afford to stay home and care for the kids. She is not the average mom who cleans house , cooks works 9 to 5 . I am glad that she is caring for her kids but she till has her nanny mama sister to do it. My sisters can’t afford to help me raise my kids as well as my mom. She is a celebrity and they get perks . Jen it’s ok but you are not normal when it comes to living everyday lives. She is not that great because she is working out 2 hours a day and getting ready for the race. Half her responsibilities are done for her. If you can afford it nothing wrong with it. Tired of celebrities that thinks that they lead normal lives.

- Murielle Mierisch on August 16th, 2008

It seems to me that the nanny-no nanny hubbub has do less with whether Jen and Marc have help or not with the twins, and more to do with honesty about privilege. If they were to say, “we are completely committing ourselves to our children with just a little help from our families, but in all honesty we have the money and privilege to pick when and how we’ll work, and have lots of folks helping with other tasks,” it would be refreshing. Perhaps they see lots of privileged folks who pawn their children off on nannies without really being involved and that’s what they’re reacting to, but it would be nice if that were clear, “We’re so afraid of being characterized as uninvolved parents that we really want people to know that we’re hands-on and very, very involved.”

Or something.

- Veejay on August 16th, 2008

NS, seriously, are you taking a swipe at Jennifer for not breastfeeding? That is so off topic and irrelevant. I understand her wanting to be a good role model for her kids by reaching for the stars, for trying and striving for things in life. Good on her. Yes, breastfeeding is great but do you seriously think any child would grow up and think their mother is a good or bad role model because she did or didn’t breastfeed them?
Who are you to judge whether her priorities are in order or not, you don’t even know her?!!! So she didn’t breastfeed. Have you ever breastfed twins??? It’s a big ask and some just don’t master it. I think the fact that she wants to be the first face her children see in the morning, the fact that she wants to take care of her fitness and health and be a strong and interesting and ambitious woman for her children shows her priorities are definitely on the right track. Those children are not going to care less whether they were breastfed or not when they are adults.

- sadie on August 16th, 2008

I think it is really interesting that Jennifer and Marc decided to get rid of the two nannies. Jennifer strikes me as someone who is very high maintenance and a total diva and so it made sense that the nannies would do the heavy lifting and Jennifer would then take over after all the hardwork was done.

I think the decision to dump the nannies has more to do with the fact that Jennifer has taken a hiatus from her acting career and thus there is really no real reason for her to have someone taking care of the babies full time.

I think it is great that Jennifer’s mom and sisters are helping out but when Jennifer gets back to acting and singing, I’m sure she will hire some help because Jennifer’s work takes her all over the world and her mom may not feel up to traveling.

I hope Jennifer realizes that as a working mother that there will be times that she will not be the first face her children see. After all, I can imagine that Marc’s career means that he does not have a lot of time to spend with his three oldest children.

Someone earlier mentioned something about Jennifer not breastfeeding. My opinion is that I can imagine how difficult and challenging it would be nursing twins but the fact of the matter is that Jennifer never tried to do so and I find that unfortunate. If I remember the People article, Jennifer felt that the decision not to breast feed was “best” for the twins even though we all know that numerous benefits that come from breastfeeding.

- Di on August 16th, 2008

It doesn’t make Jennifer any less of a parent not to have nannys but it does certainly make her less of a normal human being to have twins and announce that she has no help but her family. Who does she think she’s kidding?
I don’t doubt she loves her children dearly but does she on a daily/even weekly basis really:

sweep the floors of her mansion
do the dishes
fold the laundry
cook breakfast lunch and dinner for her family
make lunches for her children
iron school/work uniforms
clean all the toilets
take out the trash
mow the yard
sweep the leaves
bring in the mail

I seriously doubt she does few if ANY of those things.The normal working mother/father must do that on a dail basis. I am offended that she would compare herself to us to try to gain compassion. Seriously it pisses me off. Without those daily tasks to get her her way, I’m sure she and Marc are great parents to their children. Because they have nothing to worry about!!!

no mortgage worries
no gas worries
no childcare worres
no grocery bill worries
no school worries – private I’m sure

They may not have Nanny’s but they are NOT living in the REAL World!!!!!!!!!!!!!

- Amelia8557 on August 16th, 2008

“They may not have Nanny’s but they are NOT living in the REAL World!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

And that goes for every other celeb posted on here, such as Jen Garner and Angelina Jolie, but I don’t see them getting grilled for it. It’s such double standards on here and it’s so sad.

- terri on August 16th, 2008

But it’s NOT a double standard – no other celebs are declaring that they are nanny FREE! All of us want help here and there but but I’m sure that most celebs have help when they attend work events such as premiers etc…Jennifer and Mark just want w us to believe they don’t have BABY SITTERS. The reason that they don’t need nannys is because they have: cooks. housekeepers, drivers, personal assistants, gardeners, accountants and chefs. I can’t imagine what else they may have because money goes a long way. Just because they say they don’t have nannys doesn’t mean a personal assistant (or 10) doesn’t sub in every now an than. Give me a break!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They are trying to make themselves look like they work as hard as you and I and it’s a joke!

- Amelia8557 on August 16th, 2008

Haylo, I am a bit confused about your statement, “Well my family is not rich and we are real and we have and will continue to have nannies. It makes it a lot easier to do the fun stuff with your kids if you have a nanny to deal with the tedious/time consuming things (like laundry, cleaning up rooms, etc.).”

Are you referring to a nanny or a housekeeper?

- Brooklyn on August 17th, 2008

Oh I hate it when people give celebrities kudos for acting like “real parents” and actually spending time with their kids…THAT”S WHAT YOU”RE SUPPOSED TO DO! Two children at once itsn’t any harder than having them all spread out (we have 3 kids under the age of four). At least Jennifer doesn’t know any other way…my husband and I laugh when we think back to having just one baby and ask ourselves “what was so hard about that?”

- Suzanne on August 17th, 2008

Terri, I still don’t think it’s okay to make such a sweeping generalisation as that. You probably have very little idea of how the British press treat celebrities, you’re only referring to the small number of rumours you’ve probably heard from this site and others that happen to have originated from the UK.

The press everywhere make mistakes, but I can tell you now that the UK has it no worse than the US. The way you worded your first comment was wrong, and yes, snide. I work in PR and have travelled internationally as part of that, multiple times, and I KNOW that the UK is not only reserved compared to other places with regards to the ferocity with which celebrities are pursued, but also that a hell of a lot of stories that people assume are rumour because they sound so crazy are actually bang on point. Not to mention the fact that the rumours, while occasionally printed in the UK, usually do not originate from this country at all.

I’m not trying to start a debate here, I just think if you really do hold an opinion that is so sweeping against one country’s press, you need to be a little more openminded! Just my opinion lol.

And back to Jen and Marc, I can’t believe there’s still such hostile feelings towards using nannies. As long as the nanny is paid well and treated well, the couple have the right to ask of them what they want for the twins. If the nannies are not comfortable with the terms, they do not have to work for them. I spoke to my sister about this, as she is a nanny who has worked for two sets of a-list parents (for obvious reasons, I’m not writing the names!). She pretty much agrees with me and others who have said similar. I think people just like to believe that Jen is a diva and this will translate to her personal life as well. I quite like this family, maybe that leaves me in the minority!

- phoebe on August 17th, 2008

I commend her if she has no nannies (or got rid of them)…that first year/year and a half is so precious – though can be tiring if your baby gets up many times in the night (I was lucky…both my girls started sleeping through at 2/3 months and at 4/5 months my husband and I would be up at 7:30 eagerly waiting for the baby to wake up). What nerves me with celebrities is that they are always strongly stressing that they are a hands-on-mother…I am sure they may be, but they have someone to clean the house, run an errand if need be (personal assistant), do the laundry, make the beds, cook lunch if need be sometimes. Just admit it…they MOST LIKELY are not the typical stay-at-home-mother/housewife. It gets old when so many celebrities MUST say that they do it all alone. I say to celebrities: WE KNOW THAT YOU HAVE MONEY…EMBRACE IT AND GET OVER IT!! We all can use help with raising children (what ever kind of help and how ever amount of help)…remember that “it takes a village to raise a child” .

I hate doing house work, so I have help in the form of cleaning; I hate doing laundry, so my children have a good amount of clothes (and luck has it that they need to wear uniforms for school) and I send the laundry out to be done (here in Spain there are lots of places that wash/dry/iron/fold in addition to dry cleaning). My immediate family is not nearby, so we have a responsible babysitter (16 years old) that can babysit here and there. It is a lot making breakfast every morning and cooking a hot lunch and dinner everyday (here in Spain, children come can home for lunch – the main meal of the day), so I cook mostly on weekends for the week, and the girls have hot lunch at school 2/3 days a week (the days they have activities at school), and my husband is in charge of breakfast on the weekends (my sleep in days). This is my modern day “village”.

POINT – before I gt to carried away and tell my whole life story …as much as I love cooking, if I could afford a cook, I would have one. If I could afford a personal assistant to run errands (drop off laundry, go grocery shopping when I do not want to, drop the kids quickly off at piano/flute lessons if need be, etc.), I would have one. We all need or could use some form of help in regard to raising children…as a celebrity it is okay to admit you have it and as a “normal” person, it is okay to want it and to feel frustrated and even have the days were you would be okay if “your child would see someone else´s face when they awoke in the morning” while you caught up on some sleep. I feel blessed with my girls (now 7 and 6)…but I am sure if the first year/year and a half had been filled with sleepless nights…I would have wanted a full time nanny/baby nurse…and if I could have afforded it, I would have had one . Having two so close in age, my oldest started preschool a year early at 2 and a half when she went to a preschool/day care (then we moved to Spain, where children must be in a preschool at 3…so school really starts at age 3 with what is called Infantil 3).

LAST WORDS: Enjoy each stage of your childrens´ lives…they really grow so fast…so make it work however it works best for YOU…embrace it and do not feel guilty!

- World Citizen on August 17th, 2008

call me overly cynical, but i’m having a hard time believing that she is training for a tri. For one, I just can’t get past the whole diva persona- she doesn’t strike me as the kind who likes to sweat. :p Not to mention, in this day of 24hr in your face paparazzi coverage, it is odd that not a single picture has come up showing her during a training run, cycle, or swim. Even Katie Holmes’ “training” for her marathon got more coverage! lol

Good on JLo though if she really is and has somehow managed to train in peace and anonomynity. I wish I had the time to do that too- a tri is on my list of things I’d like to tackle at some point.

- andrea on August 17th, 2008

There is nothing wrong with them choosing to have a nanny or not to have a nanny. MOST working mothers use day care for their infants/toddlers and that is hardly close to the care and consideration a child will get from one single caregiver/nanny. All the negative comments are just awful. Think about all the working women out there that cannot have such stable loving childcare and get off your stay at home mom high horse please.

- silentgirl on August 17th, 2008

I can’t wait until we start seeing Max and Emme …. every time we see them now their covered with blankets, even though it’s extremely hot outside, but I honestly understand that they do that so no one gets pictures ….. which it should be up to them who get’s pictures of their kids and who doesn’t.

- Bancie1031 on August 17th, 2008

Sadie –

I said her priorities were not straight.
She CHOSE not to try to breastfeed, yet thinks setting a good exapmle for her kids means running a triathlon and not having a nanny.
I think it would have been a good example to show her children that she — like millions of other women — CAN vey much breastfeed — yet she didn’t even try.

Priorities.

- N.S on August 17th, 2008

Yes, I am sure all these celeb moms are tired and drained. The difference is, their homes and bills and extra odds and ends are taken care of. No worries or added stresses. I am sure Jennifer and Marc have family helping them but their lives are not like ours. Not even close.

- eve on August 17th, 2008

You have to read Jennifer Lopez’s fan board to realize that she’s involved in entirely too many projects to be a full-time mother. She’s doing a triathlon, producing a TV show for ABC, hosting and performing for a charity show in October, she’s done many magazine photoshoots, scheduled to star in two upcoming movies in the fall, hosting a political fundraiser, starting a charity, etc., all this has to take time away from her children, but she’s called the “multi-tasking mom” by the media.

Jennifer wants to give the impression that she’s “above” the average mother and can do it “all”, but that’s not being realistic. I also wonder if her mother and sister are really putting their lives on hold and tieing themselves down with her children while she involves herself in all her multi-activities?

To be honest, last month cameras followed her and Marc Anthony around overseas all week while they shopped, dined, toured, swam, and relaxed on a yacht together. Her children stayed in the hotel with someone else and not once did you see Jennifer with her children (except for one photo-op), and with her long and perfectly manicured fingernails, I don’t see how she could possibly be handling her babies and changing diapers without the fear of poking them.

Not to be critical, but Jennifer can build herself up to be the perfect mother in magazines, but with all she’s involved in, it appears that she’s not sacrificing her career or time in the “spotlight” to make the children her first priority.

- Tamika on August 17th, 2008

NS –
Every woman who chooses not to breastfeed has their reasons – whether they tried and failed or simply were not comfortable doing so.
The point is, you don’t know what her true reasons were. Yes, she said in an interview she chose not to breastfeed, but that doesn’t mean she made the decision lightly or flippantly. Maybe she did not want to share the details of something so intimate with the entire world. So why judge? Why take this opportunity to bring it up and have a dig when she is clearly trying to make choices to be a loving and hands-on mother?
Mothers should not be the judge and jury of one another. J.Lo not wanting to breastfeed does not mean her parenting priorities are not straight. It just means they are different to YOURS.

- sadie on August 17th, 2008

I’ve never understood why people find it so impossible to believe it when celebrities say that they don’t have nannies, cooks, cleaners or any helping staff.

My parents raised three children *very* close in age and they worked and managed to do it all! It’s really not that hard! It *can* be done!!!

- Cezzie on August 17th, 2008

Plus, it seems that there are *so many* people out there really jealous of those that *can* afford help.

Everyone thinks they’re so above celebrities because they take care of the kids themselves and do the housework without any help. Big deal!

Everyone needs to ask themselves this question: If you could afford it, wouldn’t you get help?

Of course you would! And people like Jennifer and every other celebrity do it because they can afford it and so would we if we could! They’re only human.

- Cezzie on August 17th, 2008

I’m sure they don’t have nannies – but I bet they do have a maid and a cook and a gardener and a personal assistant (each) and a trainer etc etc etc!

- Eliza on August 17th, 2008

LOL. I think when she first had the babies, we were all put off by the nanny thing not for the sake of nannies, there’s nothing wrong with having them, but because many felt that, due to her diva persona, she probably was using them very full-time…but pretending not to. And, well, I guess she admits that she was. I mean, c’mon, you can have nannies and still be hands-on, have your face be the first your kids see every morning. But I guess what we all suspected was true. The kids were handed off…at least, that’s what I’m getting from this.

Regardless, who cares. She’s a diva. It’s her persona. She has tons of help, she can afford it, so….whatever. I don’t care if people use nannies, they can be really great. I just don’t like when people act like they’re so busy being new moms, when they really have no idea what that’s like….if they’ve got 15 helpers.

I think it’s cool she’s doing a triathlon. That’s hard work.

- carie on August 17th, 2008

I agree with terri on this one. Hate to overgeneralize, but it does seem like some people are JEALOUS on this post. I’m just really happy for Jennifier because she’s finally got the children she’s wanted for a long time. She’s obviously very happy, and i see no reason to criticize her for it.

- Silvermouse on August 17th, 2008

Amelia8557 – I TOTALLY agree with you.

The reason people are a little miffed by this post isn’t that they are jealous or that they wouldn’t hire help if they could afford it…Jen and Marc are making themselves out to be “normal” hardworking parents by declaring that they don’t have nannies, but fail to mention the LOADS of help they DO have. No one (especially 2 celebrities that have gobs of cash) can do all the extracirricular things they’re doing and not have help out the wazoo. Please, we’re not dumb.

- SH on August 17th, 2008

J.Lo FORGOT to mention two nannies QUIT because she had them, one at a time, working 16 hours a day, caring for BOTH babies and having them do her other bidding’s.

Any one who has Internet can see J.Lo has been out and about almost every day, day & night, without the babies anywhere near her. She is one of the least hands on parents.

In fact, it is best, on several occasions, pictures of her holding the kids, when she is exiting her private plane, have her in 6inch heels, long draped jeans almost falling down the stairs with aides standing at the bottom of the stairwell with open arms ready to catch babies.

She is about ready to drop the baby.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/06/18/article-1027502-01A82EB300000578-457_468x806.jpg

- BellaLuna on August 17th, 2008

I have no time for j-lo as do not think she tells lies. Now its no ones business weather she had ivf or not but for her to say she did not is just a lie. And for her not having any nanies well like other people have said she i am sure is not doing all the child care. She came from the bronx but she has made it rich why does she not celebrate this instead of pretending that she does it all on her own–including conceiving the boy/girl twins so many celebrities are buying thru ivf

- jeannem on August 17th, 2008

Tamika your are right! I read that JLO is producing a TV series on ABC from her movie Maid in Manhattan, performing on stage in October which she has to rehearse for, her magazine photoshoots, not counting the movies “Love and other impossible pursuits” and “The Governess” which she is starring in. She does have a busy schedule, quite busy for someone with new babies, and I’ve seen many pictures of her and she does keep her nails long and manicured. Ouch! I stopped going to the nail salon once my babies were born.

However, busy, busy Jennifer can’t possibly be spending quality time with her twins. With all the events she’s involved in, political, rehearsing, producing, photo shoots, triathalon, movies with scripts to read, its just no way.

Yes, I see its obvious she’s not giving up her career for motherhood.

- SarahM on August 17th, 2008

Jlo is getting a lot of negative opinions on this because like a lot of women have mentioned, she’s trying too hard to sound like she’s a normal mom when everybody knows that she’s not…I don’t think people are envious that she can afford all these things that money can buy because that’s just how life is…for the majority of the population, we have to make a living and still deal with things in the home front. With these celebrities, it is easier for them to say we have no nanny but they have other people helping around, and that makes life a little easier on them. Jlo’s mom must really love her a lot because her and Marc seems to be out and about and even if mom was taking care of the twins, if I were Jlo, I wouldn’t want to put my mom in that situation well because she’s a little older and she might not be 100% physically able to take care of twins…plus the way I see it, grandparents are supposed not play and spoil their grandkids, not change diapers, feed etc. coz god knows that they did all that raising their own children….to be honest with you, my husband and I haven’t had a date night since our son was born 13 months ago…not because we can’t afford a babysitter but just trusting other people and both of our parents are old (late 60s) and in no shape to care for a busy, busy toddler….

- janie on August 17th, 2008

I just think that a lot of people are having a hard time believing this story because, well it’s Jlo…did you see the people magazine cover? They were all dressed up and well, she did not look like a normal mom to me along with all the luxuries that her twins have, most average people can’t afford a $$ onesies….she’s always been known to be high maintenance and that’s just the image that she built up for herself..that’s why a lot of people have a hard time relating to her…unlike Jen Garner who just seems so normal, in jeans and shirts, tennis shoes while Jlo is in heels and designer clothes, puhleze…I really can’t imagine her changing a poopy diaper in her versace shirt

- janie on August 17th, 2008

As others have said, I don’t think most of the posters here are jealous. We are all posting on a celeb baby site, why would we be jealous of JLO but not any of the other celebs on here? Many of the other celebs admit to having nannies and most people don’t attack them.
It’s not jealousy. To some of us what she said in the interview didn’t ring that true and we are simply expressing our opinion. It has nothing to do with being jealous of her. Most of us would love to have her money but I don’t think we are so petty that we would make comments just because she can afford a lifestyle we can’t. Get real!

- Devyn on August 17th, 2008

I have a comment on this picture that was posted above:

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/06/18/article-1027502-01A82EB300000578-457_468x806.jpg

Why would JLO chance carrying her baby down plane steps in spiked heels, pants dragging, blanket not properly wrapped, and not even holding the rail? Wow that’s dangerous. She’s treating that poor baby like its an accessory and not something she should be protecting. No one should take risks like that with a baby.

And Tamika, I HAVE read on the internet all the projects JLO is presently involved in, and don’t see how she could have the time to properly nurture her two children.

I notice none of her projects include anything geared towards her children.

- SarahM on August 17th, 2008

I think all decent moms do their best while utilizing what/who they have available to give their children the best upbring possible. We all have different opinions on what we deem to be out top priorities. There is nothing wrong with that.

One mother might think she’s giving her kid the best by sacrificing her “me” time and career by being a dedicated stay at home mother. Another thinks she giving her kid the best by setting an example of being career-motivated, hardworking, and establishing bounderies in personal life so that she doesn’t “lose” herself in motherhood. Both are right in my opinion. It’s just a matter of having different perspectives. Neither child should be consider less loved, or in harms way.

If Jenn has the money to pay for services to make her life easier, why not? Be they chefs, nannies, or maids…I would totally utilize their services if I could afford to! A fulfilled, rested, healthy, woman makes for a great mommy and wife.

- m-dot on August 17th, 2008

Silvermouse – I agree with you. Congrats to Jennifer for the family she’s always wanted!

As for the triathlon, I applaud her! It does take a lot of dedication and training. I know! I did my first triathlon when my son was 9 months old. In fact, I just finished my fourth triathlon this morning. And no, we don’t have help. The training/working out became part of a daily schedule. Who said you can’t do a training run with your child in a jogging stroller or pull them in a bike trailer? It is do-able with dedication and support. I believe it is a great way for your children to see what goals can be accomplished with that mindset. Congrats to her!

- Maddie on August 17th, 2008

Congrats to Jennifer for the family she’s always wanted!

As always it is ALLLLL about what J.Lo wants and when she gets IT she wants more. So sorry for the poor babies because as every one can see by J.Lo’s globe trotting without them, ALLLLLL they are to her is another publicity tool for her own self promotion.

Did you see the picture of her carrying around the boy baby with gold bracelet on his wrist and a diamond stud earring? Very seriously she dressed him up like that then was feeding him a full bottle of WATER…Surely J.Lo thinks if he burps on her with water he won’t get formula on her shirt but giving a 4 month old 6 ounces of water at a time, in a day, could deplete their mineral balance & stop their heart!!!

J.Lo gives no thought to the health and well being of anyone but herself…not even the babies.

- BellaLuna on August 18th, 2008

I guess I’ll take a sec to put in my two cents.

Jennifer’s public moves and statements have always seemed beyond calculated. That’s why she’s succeeded in the way she has: she’s a mediocre actress and even worse singer, yet she once had the number 1 album and movie at the same time. She’s not stunningly gorgeous, yet she’s consistently ranked in the most beautiful/hottest stars lists.

I think Jennifer is well aware that fans are put off by her diva persona, and that they/we generally assume that celeb parents will have nannies. Thus, her stressing that she does not have nannies serves both to quell her diva image, and to make her seem (though who are we to say that she isn’t actually) a great mom. I def. agree that she’s got more help than any of us could ever hope for, but blatantly stating this would remind people of that diva image again.

Additionally, in interviews with her trainers and assistants, she’s always described as a terribly hard worker. To me, this is less impressive than it is indicative of that shrewdness I mentioned: she knows that a hot bod will keep her in the limelight, so she works on that, and on other aspects of her image. The triathalon does not surprise me in the least. When Jennifer does something, it seems, she does it BIG. So, not only will she lose the baby weight, she’ll perform in a triathalon and look the best she ever has. Thus, she trumps all other Hollywood moms who “only” diet and excercise.

Same Jennifer, different circumstances.

- Xan on August 18th, 2008

I actually have a sibscription to Self so I just got to read this interview. Jen looks great in the pictures. In the coral dress in particular. I can’t believe that she’s still 20 pounds heavier than she was. She wears it well. I don’t think any less of her for having a nanny. I plan on having daycare as a working mother, if I could afford a nanny I would have that as well.

- terri on August 18th, 2008

Xan and Amelia8557 I totally agree!

JLo is a diva and probably always will be. Others may be fooled but JLo has always been one (like other celebrities) apt at using the media to improve her image. Those who say her priorities are straight, this is the image she wants to give out to you! Do you think an image of a mother who dumps her children a majority of the time on nannies or family members (if she indeed does this)will gain fans and sell records? And please, I don’t believe for one second that her and Marc are “doing it alone.” But if JLo TRULY does take the time to spend with her kids I respect her but I have FAR MORE respect for other parents who have lives with the daily toils she doesn’t have and those moms in abject poverty that fight through HORRENDOUS conditions to bring up their kids. Personally I feel those moms are far more real than any celebrity parents and some celebrity parents get too much praise for doing what half the world’s population does anyway with far less resources. I feel her attempt to seem like the rest of us normal moms with many more daily and lifetime responsibilities is borderline insulting.

- LanLan on August 19th, 2008