Angelina Jolie on Future Adoption Plans, Family Time and More
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In New York City to promote her upcoming film Changeling, Angelina Jolie visited with Matt Lauer on Today this morning to talk movies, and of course, kids. "It’s hard to bring a baby into a family…but twins is like foundation-shocking, isn’t it?" asked Matt. Angelina, who stated that twins Knox Léon and Vivienne Marcheline, 3 months, are "great," said jokingly, "We have so many children that they’re not really stunned anymore when kids come home."
The actress, 33, shared that people always ask how oldest child Maddox Chivan, 7, is doing, but she maintains he’s "like the professional big brother, he’s done it so many times." As for the rest of the Jolie-Pitt clan? "We prepared them, we talked to them about it, they knew it was coming," she said. "They are all at that great age that they aren’t threatened. They are independent enough to not need mommy anddaddy all the time, and enjoy the kids." Angelina added the older children play with the twins — whom they call "their babies" — dress them up, and even change diapers!
When asked about plans to add to the brood, Angelina answered coyly, "I have something in mind." As for when? It will all depend on family happenings in the months ahead. "You can’t even start the process until any newchildren are six months old," Angelina explained. "It’s a smart thing…tounderstand when to bring another child in."
The family is notorious for moving — and traveling — fairly frequently. But the actress stated it’s all just because they haven’t found the perfect place to settle quite yet. "Thechildren will probably dictate. We talk about one day, they’llprobably want to stay in one place for a very long time, as they startto get certain friends." She acknowledged the family’s lifestyle, saying, "So far we’ve just moved them alot. They like moving. They like packing their bags before the nextadventure, and likemaking new friends wherever we go." She added that she’d like them to take that spirit with them into adulthood, where they can "find home wherever they are in the world, andwhere they can find friends wherever they are in the world."
Click "More" to read about the Jolie-Pitts travels, where Angelina and Brad disagree on parenting, and to see video of the full interview.
When quizzed about the family’s travels to undeveloped Africannations and tougher cities like New Orleans in juxtaposition to theircomfortable lifestyle, Angelina shared she’s hoping her children willgrow up to understand and appreciate their wealth, but never take itfor granted. She said,
"For anybody it’s a shock where you go to a place where you’resurrounded by violence and poverty. Certainly we live in two extremes,but wewake up every day as parents of children from around the world whosebackgrounds would’ve been similar to the street children we see, sothere isn’t as much of a divide.
We want the children to see all different sides of the world, butwant themto enjoy their life and the privileges they have and not to feelashamed of them but embrace them, and give them everything we canpossibly give them. Never spoil them and never let them forget howfortunate they are. We’ll make sure they always keep one foot in theotherside of the world, and make sure they give back."
So when it comes to parenting, is Angelina on the same page as partner Brad Pitt?She said the couple is "pretty much" in sync when it comes to rules,although both know that there will be some minor issues they disagreeon — like when it’s okay for their children to join them in bed. Theydon’t want the practice to become a habit for any of their six kids,but "at the end of the day, they’re so cute, we let them in anyway!"she laughed.
When it comes to Angelina’s past, it seems that thanks to Brad, herwilder days are behind her. "I’ve met the right person, and I’m notgoing to say anything that’sgoing to embarrass me, but I don’t like being without him," she smiled."I don’t love being alone like I used to be."
Source: Today Show
