Jerry O’Connell’s Twins Love Dancing With the Stars — and Idol!

Sean O’Neill/INF

Jerry O’Connell thinks he knows Dancing With the Stars‘ littlest fans — his twin girls Dolly Rebecca Rose and Charlie Tamara Tulip!

“They watch what I watch,” the new dad told PEOPLE at the Cinema Society premiere of his film Obsessed in New York City. “I know this is probably bad, I’ll get in trouble for this, but I do put them in front of the television and they love it.”

The girls, born December 28th, “don’t know how to work the remote because they are only four months old,” Jerry said, but they do have their favorite shows.

“The news channels kind of bore them, but they love Dancing With the Stars,” he explained. “I think it’s the music and the people twirling and the color. It’s just a bright show. They also like Adam [Lambert] on American Idol. I put them in these rockers in front of the TV if I’m watching and they calm down. You watch their faces and they just smile. They really like it. I want them in the room with me, and I don’t put their faces up near the set.”

And how does dad tell his little TV fans apart? “Dolly is blonde … Charlie is brunette, which is really helpful because I was getting very confused for a little while,” Jerry said. “Dolly is very girly and she is kind of coy and looks at you out of the tops of her eyes. And Charlie, the brunette, never cries, but when she wants something she growls.”

As for Rebecca Romijn, Jerry has nothing but kudos for his wife, who continues to nurse the girls exclusively, despite being back at work on the set of Eastwick.

“Rebecca is breastfeeding the whole time, that’s the most remarkable thing. She’s working right now and nursing. We’re shuttling milk back and forth from the set and bringing the kids to her. A [lactation consultant] at the hospital taught her the double football hold — that’s what we call it. And it’s great.”

Source: PEOPLE with quotes for use on CBB

-– Jeffrey Slonim

Comments

This guy really labels his daughters in terms of personality (like the Sheens!). I prefer Marcia Cross’ manner of talking about her daughters.

The poor little brunette is already getting a raw deal! She “growls” etc…

- Manon on April 26th, 2009

Yay for Rebecca and the tandem nursing! Hopefully she’ll be an inspiration to mothers of multiples to breastfeed, since that is often used as an excuse not to.

- LP on April 26th, 2009

Yay for the tandem nursing… but my goodness… I know it’s fun to talk about your kids and how they are different, especially with twins, but let’s not be labeling one as the girly one and one as the tomboy until they are older and earn that role.

The most I ever said about my boys, 18mo apart, in comparison of those ages, was that my older was more demanding and my younger was more laid back, which was true.

As for their personalities, clothing style, all that, I let it come as the time passed.

- Kat on April 26th, 2009

I had a chance to meet them in Toronto…Love them!

- Mel on April 26th, 2009

I don’t understand how describing them is labeling them? Also I think it’s cute that his daughter growls when she wants something, haha.

- Laura on April 26th, 2009

I think the growling is cute too Definitely not negative.
I didn’t know the new thing that’s not allowed is talk about your children until they have developed their personalities completely.

Even if they turn out completely different from what they are like now it will be fun to read back on the first impressions they had of their girls.

- Anna on April 26th, 2009

Yay for Rebecca breastfeeding her twins. But how can a 4-month old be “girly”? I guess it’s possible but… LOL

- Chris on April 26th, 2009

My goodness! How is that labeling?
Personality for the most part is innate.
By four months, it definitely shows.
Looks like right now he has two very different cases on his hands!

- Moore on April 26th, 2009

yay for rebecca for being a role model and breastfeeding period let alone multiples!

- Lizz on April 26th, 2009

yea for nursing twins!

but why are they letting 4-month-olds watch television? he must be joking, right?

- marla on April 26th, 2009

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with what he said either.

- Natasha on April 26th, 2009

Nothing wrong exactly with what he said but at the same time calling 4 month old babies “girly” and implying the other is tomboyish already… just not my style!

I think if you do pin personalities on your children it’s best to make them very positive ones.

- Manon on April 27th, 2009

I agree that I do not see anything wrong with him describing his girls’ personalities. He’s simply stating what he has noticed about them. He seems like a very loving and proud father who enjoys talking about his girls….it’s a shame he can’t do that without people (who don’t even know him) criticizing what he says. He didn’t even say anything negative about either of them…sheesh.

- CTBmom on April 27th, 2009

I really love Jerry…what a smitten and loving father! I didn’t see anything wrong with anything he said…he’s just in love with his girls and wants to talk about them. How wonderful that he spends so much time with them and sees these differences.

And my children love American Idol and Dancing With the Stars too…even my 5 month old. I say she watches it in that when we’re all in the room and she’s playing or nursing, she’ll keep turning her head to see it…not that she sits for a full hour glued to the TV.

- UggaMugga.com on April 27th, 2009

so which is negative…girly or tomboyish (which he never uses by the way)?

- brannon on April 27th, 2009

Who cares about the TV thing? I bet it’s exactly like what he said, they love the music and bright colors. And the time with him there is worth more than anything. It’s not like he props them up to watch and then leaves them alone.

I never got the implication he was saying Charlie was a tomboy…I think he was just saying some funny observations.

- Emily on April 27th, 2009

Marla – I thought he was joking about the tv as well. Or at least I hope he was! Whatever the case, I always shudder when I heard about parents allowing their children early extended access to tv. I’m sure it’s not the case in this family, but many children do sadly grow up with the tv being a cheap babysitter. A family member of mine allowed her child to have a television in the bedroom from about 16 months onwards. I was horrified!

- Alex on April 27th, 2009

I didn’t think he meant she was a tomboy either. Why does it matter? Gosh these criticisms are just stupid. I love Jerry and I think they’re doing a fantastic job!

- Bee on April 27th, 2009

I love them so much! What a great family. YAY for Rebecca for still BFing twins! That must be so hard.

It is so cute that the blondie has a different personality than the brunette. So cute.

As for the TV comment, I am sure Jerry doesn’t stick his kids in front of the TV all day. I remember my son at 4 months would keep wanting to watch when I was nursing him. He would turn his head to check out the TV.

- D on April 27th, 2009

“I think if you do pin personalities on your children it’s best to make them very positive ones.”

Which one are you implying as negative? Because neither reads negative to me.

- Brandy on April 27th, 2009

Seriously the tv at that age isn’t going to hurt them!! Babies like noises and bright colors. Why do you think they put out those baby Einstein videos?! My niece as infatuated by them at 4 months. Of course her attention span would only hold for about 10 min but she liked to sit in her bouncy and look at the colors and listen to the music! And today even though she loves her shows she much rather be outside playing, coloring, or playing with her dolls then watching tv. It hasn’t harmed her and infact she’s one of the most intelligent 4 year olds I’ve ever met! Find me one child who looked at a tv as a baby/toddler and has major issues today because of it?!!

- JMO on April 27th, 2009

I think people blow the TV thing WAY out of whack. There is a difference in your baby being in the room with you while you watch a show and in making the TV the babysitter. ALSO, my husband and I have read a lot of these “TV is bad for babies/kids” studies and we can’t find one that says the bright lights are the cause for the issues. All the problems seem to be secondary: kids who watch a lot of TV have parents who don’t talk to them as much or engage them in other activities as much and therefore they are behind developmentally. For all we know, Jerry is talking to the babies the entire time they are watching the show. My husband and I both watched TV as babies (apparently we both loved MTV for the bright lights and sounds) and have grown up to both have advanced degrees from top tier universities.

TV does not make or break your parenting or your child.

- MZ on April 27th, 2009

It would be one thing if the girls were 5 years old and he just sat them in front of the TV when they are capable of running around, playing with toys, and keeping themselves entertained. But these 4 month old babies! The music and colors are stimulating. I don’t see what the big deal is. I also don’t see why people are up in arms because he made observations about the way the girls behave. If he had said that they have no personalities, people would be fuming over that too.

- alice jane on April 27th, 2009

i knew i’d get flamed for saying i wish that 4-month olds weren’t watching TV. i didn’t say they’d be ruined forever. i stand by my original statement as does the AAP, among other reputable organizations.

the problem is most parents allow their kiddos to watch it before 2 and so they get EXTREMELY defensive about it. i’m not criticizing your parenting or theirs. it’s just that i find 4-month-olds sitting in their bouncy seats, in front of the television problematic (it’s what he said, not me). i’m not going to get in the nitty gritty of it on a celebrity baby blog site, but that’s how i feel.

my kiddos are almost 4 and 21-months and don’t watch it. i only mention this so you don’t think i’m a person w/o kids who just doesn’t get it. i do. we made a choice in our family to not have the TV on during the day at all, which is rare i know. most all of friends’ kids watch it and they are good parents and good kids. there will be a point at which it is appropriate for them, it’s just that there are a million other things i can do with them right now, other than TV. but at 4 months, really?

and the baby einstein series is a crock. it’s laughable, at best, that parents think it will influence their baby’s intelligence.

- marla on April 27th, 2009

Maria, I have to agree with you about Baby Einstein. A recent Harvard study (which I thought CBB had a link to, but maybe it was Baby Center), showed that Baby Einstein videos do nothing to help children’s intelligence. If your kid likes them, great, but they don’t actually help kids developmentally.

Also, I think there is a difference in sitting babies in bouncers in front of the TV and having it on while you’re in the same room with them.

- MZ on April 27th, 2009

I think people get way too sensitve about the television issue. Some parents allow it, some don’t, and neither choice is the “right” one – its a personal decision. I think the big issue is not to let television be a babysitter – sit young children in front of it and ignore them. Perhaps some children who watch lots of TV don’t spend a lot of time doing other things – playing, coloring, talking with family. Those, of course, are all very important for development and things I would never deprive my 3 year old. Is that to say she has never watches Dora or Max & Ruby…no! She watches television sometimes. She also has a toy room with no television in it (I’d never put one in her room or playroom) in which she plays very often during the day too. She and I bake cookies and play resturaunt or school together. We play outside. We go to the library the park. And I’ll be the first to admit that when she was an infant, I’d let her watch Baby Einstein for a half an hour while I got some cleaning done. Did I think it would make her a genius, of course not, but she was stimulated and entertained by the lights and sounds. And occupied! If there are mothers out there who are able to get everything they need to done without sometimes using a video or an episode of Clifford to hold their child’s attention, I applaud you – I need the help soemtimes! I don’t think television itself is harmful to childrens’ development – it just has to be watched in moderation and as a small part of what your child does daily. My daughter is very bright for her age, and has always reached developmental milestones far ahead of schedule – and she has always been allowed moderate amounts of television. As long as you don’t let it become a constant thing, I see no problem with it.

- Anne on April 27th, 2009

if someone can show where he said tomboyish in this article i would be amazed. he didnt, he said she doesnt cry, so that makes her a tomboy?
raise your own children and leave others to raise theirs, stop passing judgement on a fun little article from a proud father in People magazine.

- Jessica on April 27th, 2009

I never said the Einstein videos would enhance their intelligence but as a show that was merely created to “entertain” your child for a short period of time!!!

And we can spin are head around with all these “studies” that people do on children. Why can’t we go back to the days when kids were just kids?? Now they have to be studied and analyzed for whatever they do!

Do I agree children should sit in front of a tv all day? no! But would I deny my kids the right to watch a program if they asked? no! And I completely agree that their is a difference in letting your kids watch a program here and there and sitting them in front of it so you can get work done. Most parents who let their kids watch tv also interact with them and do things with them. But some folks act like we allow are kids to watch VH1 or MTV….they’re watching educational programs. And I don’t know about you but my niece was speaking many words in spanish at 2. Add well nobody in my family speaks it but guess who does, DORA!!!

Now I’ll agree television in the room is not something I’d let my child have at a young age. But I had a tv in my room when I was a kid so I’d be a big hypocrite to not eventually allow my child to have one (when we feel the time is right). Of course there will be limitations and rules like they’re are with anything!!!

- JMO on April 27th, 2009

Good for her for breastfeeding her twins! That takes major dedication!!!

- Bethany on April 27th, 2009

No matter what he said some idiot is going to piss and moan!! Just let him relish these moments with his babies!! Good for him that he notices the differences in his daughters and a huge shout out to their Mama for nursing twins!!

- DJE on April 27th, 2009

I wish some people would get off their high horse. I’m so sick of the “no-tv” “no-dairy” “no meat” “no no no no” people on this site. It’s YOUR choice and trust me when I say NOBODY cares about these ‘noble’ decisions you’ve made in your life. No need to chastise other people for choices they’ve decided to make. My family is from a place where nobody had a tv, having meat wasn’t even an OPTION, so yeah I live in the US now so I’m going to enjoy the perks. Thank you very much.

- Bieta on April 27th, 2009

I go to the park with my step-kids(2 and 6) and you should hear the conversations. “Oh Parker NEVER watches tv, we like to CHALLENGE him” or “Olivia, is reading at a pre-school level we think its the no dairy, no-gluten diet”(seriously). I’m not too sensitive about the subject, I just go through life in a live and let live way, and I really don’t appreciate people even insinuating that there way of life is better. It’s pretentious.

- Bieta on April 27th, 2009

Marla, in a study released in March of this year, the AAP says that television does not benefit but also does not hinder the development of a child from infancy to age 2. Therefore television can be considered neutral or at least it is by the AAP due their current study. It is excessive exposure that can lead to harm, as we all know.

Jerry sounds like he has a favorite show and wants to share it with his girls. I see nothing wrong with that or Baby Einstein.

- Moore on April 27th, 2009

Amen Bieta!!

- JMO on April 27th, 2009

They seem like a nice family, but I did cringe at the TV comments. I don’t think he’s kidding. I think more studies will come out over time about the detriment of TV for children that young. My SIL is a pediatrician and you can bet that her kids do not watch even 5 minutes of TV before age 2.

- christina on April 27th, 2009

Chill Out, people. He’s being funny. It is a cute article. He probably just want to say he’s rooting for Adam on American Idol. You parents need to chill and I am sure the people getting REALLY upset don’t have kids at all. KIDS LOVE TV. PERIOD. Go get a life.

- Chill Out... on April 27th, 2009

These debates are just getting so ridiculous…why are mothers always trying to “one-up” each other? So and so’s kids get no dairy, someone elses ONLY eat organic food, some ban television and non-educational toys…its all so frustrating. Why can’t we agree that there are lots of different approaches to parenting that work for different families? Why is it all about being better, not just accepting we all make it work our own way?

Now, I know I sound like I am contridicting myself here, but I just have to say something about all the mothers who on such a kick of banning things – be it food groups, TV, etc. If that is your approach, fine, I have no problem with that – it just seems like most of the time it is these parents who think their approach is better and can be sort of pretentious about it, and tend to think mothers like myself, who, God forbid, buy regular, non organic apples or allow television, are doing something wrong. Live and let live…I wish all mothers could agree.

Now, in my personal, humble opinion, I think it mostly well-intentioned, but the extreme cases can get sort of silly. While I make sure she eats her vegetables and learns her letters, my 3 year old has had her share of non-vegan cupcakes made with real eggs and milk (and FROSTING! with SUGAR!), and watched an episode or two of Dora, and I can assure you, she is perfectly healthy and very smart.

- Anne on April 28th, 2009

I don’t think it’s possible to take Jerry’s comments as anything more than complete love and adoration for his baby girls. It sounds like they are doing a fantastic job. Major, major kudos to Rebecca for her amazing dedication to breastfeeding her twins, and to Jerry for helping facilitate it like a dad should.

- karen on April 28th, 2009

I have an idea! Lets find something to pick apart. Good gracious some of you need to get a life. Who care about how he describes their personalities? Also, I let my 5 month old watch Baby DVDs. She doesn’t know the difference between that or Dancing with the Stars (which she doesn’t watch because I don’t watch it). And guess what else, I even let me 5 month old watch American Idol with me! Give me the award for worst Mom of the year, if that is how you qualify for it.
Anyway, the most important part about this article was the part about Rebecca breastfeeding! That is so awesome

- Katie on April 28th, 2009

LMAO I so agree Beita! It’s like you raise your kids the way you want to, I’ll raise mine the way I want to, thank you.

- Natasha on April 28th, 2009

Regarding twins…went to school with girl twins .They were fun. One quiet and the other outspoken and extrovert. We had so much fun with them, they were devils. They loved to fool their teachers and we could hardly tell them apart. The boyfriends could not either. Lots of good stories, trading places.

Theparents had no trouble. They knew them. Biggest memory was when they traded places in class for
x-ams. One was weak in math, the other Science. They moved when they were in grade 8. Missed them. Life was boring until High School, grade 9.

Paents of twins have no idea how to handle them or what is ahead of them. If they have other children first, they have a better idea. Expirence is ideal, oyou never have enough for the late teens.

- AnneM on April 29th, 2009