Chyler Leigh Isn’t Afraid to Hire Help

Duffy-Marie Arnoult/Getty

Chyler Leigh isn’t afraid to admit it takes a “village” to raise a child – or three!

Between working long hours on Grey’s Anatomy to husband Nathan West‘s busy schedule, the actress has had to take help where needed when it comes to Noah Wilde, 7, Taelyn Leigh, 4½, and Anniston Kae, 22 months.

“We just had to hire a second nanny, two of our kids are special needs, so it’s been a bit challenging for my husband and I,” Leigh, 28, tells PARADE.

“He’s working as well, he produces, and between the workload and trying to take time for my husband and I to actually get out and do something together, it takes a village. I’m lucky if I get to sit down at some point during the day.”

That said, even while she’s away from her family and busy on set, Leigh’s children — and motherhood! — are never far from her mind. Fortunately, she’s found a strong support in co-star Ellen Pompeo, mom to 18-month-old daughter Stella Luna.

“Oh my gosh, we’re constantly talking about kids. It’s a perpetual conversation. It’s literally all we talk about,” Leigh reveals.

“We swap stories and pictures and we laugh a lot. When you start to see the best and worst qualities of yourself personified in a little human being, it makes for some really interesting and hysterical conversation.”

– Anya Leon

Comments

Jennifer on March 25th, 2011

I wonder what type of special needs their two children are, anybody know?

Kara on March 25th, 2011

I was just wondering what special needs her two children have?

AS on March 25th, 2011

I read somewhere the middle child suffers from febrile seizures

Mommy of 2 on March 25th, 2011

I know that her 4 year old daughter suffers from febrile seziures. But I am not sure about the other children.

Shannon on March 25th, 2011

I didn’t know she had children with special needs. And two at that. Wow.

Lorian on March 25th, 2011

Febrile seizure wouldn’t be considered ‘special needs’ – these occur only when a child has an elevated fever. They are a bit scary, but they’re benign in terms of long term effects. My daughter has them and the doc says she’ll probably outgrow them by age 2 -5. Epileptic, or undefined seizures are a different story however…

Tamara on March 25th, 2011

As someone who’s daughter had 63 febrile seizures..that’s not usually considered special needs Unless a child is having them mulitple times a day for several days and each seizure lasting longer than 3 min..And it that case they must an some illness causing the fever..In a febrile seizure, a fever cause the body to go into a seizure, There must be something causing the body to have a fever..and thus seize….The seizures are the body’s way of reacting to a fever., and they cause no brain damage..Most 90% of the kids who have 10, will never have another one.. Of the 10% who have more than one,99% will out grow them, as in stop having one.between the ages of 8-10.. Pediatric Neurologist almost never prescribe meds for this type of seizure..

noam on March 25th, 2011

i’m not sure if this is accurate, but i read on some tabloid site that her daughter had febrile seizures and suffers from cognitive delays as a result. (though rare, the combination of fever and seizure can cause some brain damage.) that may just have been a rumor, though…

truehurt on March 25th, 2011

She should stay home with the kids since they are all sickly.

sks on March 25th, 2011

As a teacher of special needs children let me just say “sickly” seriously what is wrong with you, I hope and pray that you never have special needs children if that is the word you would choose to use to describe them

alicejane on March 25th, 2011

We should judge her a little bit more….. /sarcasm

We don’t know her situation or what’s going on with her kids.

sara on March 25th, 2011

special needs kids are not sickly!!! how dare you say something like that??? i have a son that suffers from ADHD and Asbergers, and hes not sickly, nor do i have to stay home with him rather than work…

erin on March 25th, 2011

Why should it be HER that stays home with the kids, why not her HUSBAND?? Not saying that EITHER parent should have to give up their job to take care of their special needs kids but I think it is an antiquated idea that it should be the MOTHERS responsibility as opposed to being BOTH parents. Which is what seems to be the case. Both parents work and take care of their kids. They have the resources to hire extra help so why shouldn’t they?

shalay on March 25th, 2011

Children with special needs does not mean they are “sickly.” Giving up her career, something she might be passionate about, wouldn’t cure the kids or ease their conditions. I think it’s important for parents to have a balance in their lives between their spouses, children, and work. Giving up on one completely isn’t always the answer.

Grace on March 25th, 2011

Good for Chyler. Get as much help as you need for your family. I have one kiddo with special needs (on the Autism spectrum) and I proudly and thankfully have help. Even if he didn’t have special needs, I’d still have help because, why? I need it!

rachel on March 25th, 2011

special needs kids aren’t ‘sickly’. what an insulting generalisation.

ELO on March 25th, 2011

I was thinking something similar. Her children should be taking precedence in her life.

Lee on March 26th, 2011

Well, she is probably working because she needs the money to care for her children. They may have expensive medical care which may include some sort of weekly therapy. Medication is also not cheap. If her kids are special needs they might need care longer in their lives than her other child who is not sick. They might need life long assistance, we don’t know. Just because she may have money now or her husband has a good job, doesn’t mean that money will last forever, so she needs to work as much as possible to cover her and her family for life if need be. She is young compared to other hollywood moms so she is still making that money that they already have and are living off of.

Michelle on March 26th, 2011

That is a horrible thing to say. Special needs does not mean “sickly”. They are not necessarily sick and there is nothing “wrong” with them. Her staying home won’t change their needs. I think it’s healthy for parents to have activities and interestes outside of their kids.

CelebBabyLover on March 26th, 2011

Wow, I didn’t know two of her kids had special needs (by the way, I wish she would have said that two of her kids HAVE special needs rather than the two of her kids ARE special needs. As someone with minor special needs herself, let me tell you that most people with special needs don’t like being basically defined by their special needs! We aren’t special needs, we HAVE special needs!). I wonder what they are?

Also, I think we should ignore “Rebecca S.”. I have a feeling she’s the same poster who posted something similar on Rachel Zoe’s son’s birth announcement post (but under a diffent username) and several “other” users have posted similar comments. Bottomline: It’s probably one person who just wants to get a rise out of people!

Hea on March 26th, 2011

They don’t have to be sickly in order to count as special needs.

katie on March 26th, 2011

Why should she stay home? Maybe her husband should stay home. Why don’t you join us in the 21st century.

Melissa on March 26th, 2011

Maybe she is happy working and enjoys making money. I see nothing wrong with 2 nannies for 4 children. Good job Chyler.

Kelly on March 26th, 2011

She is an ignorant troll people…I have a son with special needs (autistic, seizure disorder not febrile seizures though…he has brain damage from them, and cerebral palsy)…I chose to quit work as soon as I could financially so that I could devote myself to making his life better, getting him the therapies he desperately needed, taking an active role in every aspect of his education (which was a nightmare getting him what he truly needed)…AND devoting as much time as I could to his older sister who often felt less important growing up because so much time was necessary for her brother. She understands now that she is older but it was hard on her when they were both young (they are only 18 months apart…although now she is 22 and he is 20). I think it is a VERY personal choice whether to quit working or keep going. I would never judge another parent for their choices…I just wish others wouldn’t..especially those who have NO CLUE what it is like to live the life of a parent whose child has special needs.

Momof3girls on March 26th, 2011

My youngest daughter is special needs and to look and watch her, you wouldn’t even notice..she is by no means “sickly”..I think she made the choice to use the wrong word.

I have also made the choice that it is best for me to be home with her, she attends an integrated preschool every day but she is only gone for a total of four hours and her Father and I think it is best for her to come home to a parent.

I am not in any way saying anything negative in regards to this actresses way of taking care of her children, I’m just sharing mine.

lena on March 26th, 2011

It is selfish to want to work when your little ones need you especially children that have special needs. Don’t have children if you are not willing to raise them yourself.

lena on March 26th, 2011

It is selfish to work when little ones need their parent. Especially little ones who have special needs. Don’t have children if you aren’t willing to raise them and be there for them yourself. It isn’t an outdated idea. Many women today are stay at home moms who sacrifice and do it. So don’t give me this isn’t the 1950′s BS.

Shannon on March 26th, 2011

Noah Wilde, 7, Taelyn Leigh, 4½, and Anniston Kae, 22 months

Interesting names!

JMO on March 26th, 2011

My nephew is special needs (cerebral palsy/legally blind) due to prematuratey. He’s on the mild side though. He walks (w/a limp) and he doesn’t have very good motor skills especially in his left hand. His parents both have to work there is no option. But luckily he’s in a very good school and had very good caretakers (i.e. me) as a baby. It’s simply not a choice for everyone. My sil would love to stay home and not work. There’s times my nephew has had to miss appointments bc she couldn’t get off work. It’s tough but you do what you have to do.

Mira on March 26th, 2011

What’s the point of having kids if someone else is going to raise them?

Kelly on March 26th, 2011

BTW..my “ignorant” comment was for the poster who made the comment about the kids being “sickly”

Jen DC on March 26th, 2011

Whether she (or her husband) “should” stay home or not depends on the needs of the children. It’s possible that the kids don’t need around-the-clock care and are mainstreamed in school. Regardless, you ALL know that society at large complains about the expense of those individuals who choose to accept state and federal help caring for their children yet here we have a woman willing to work to support her children with special needs through her extremely lucrative career and there are those who are complaining about that as well. We can’t have it both ways. Those who have options should take the best option available to them. This is apparently the best option – working, paying for the nannies and spendinig what time she has left – with her kids. I don’t blame her, particularly since we don’t know what her kids’ needs are; maybe their greatest need is her salary…

Shawna on March 26th, 2011

I wonder if her kids actually have special needs. Nowadays people seem to think it’s a status symbol to say their child has special needs – “Oh yes, my children have special needs!” If their child chooses to only eat green food they consider it a special need. I’m not saying her children don’t but I am wondering, especially since I would not consider febrile seizures a special need. I think the term has been watered down so much that those of us who actually have kids with major special needs have to say SEVERE special needs or SERIOUS special needs just to get people to understand the severity of what we, and our children, deal with every day.

Jenner on March 26th, 2011

I totally agree, Mira. Can anyone answer that (what is the point in having kids if you don’t take care of them)? I used to be a nanny and the children were very angry/sad from not having their parents around. I understand getting a mother’s helper or babysitter because kids can be exhausting, esp. children with special needs, but a full-time nanny is not good.

Laura on March 26th, 2011

I have a son with special needs (ASD) and quit my career to look after him, but I see nothing wrong with working especially if your children need extra money for therapy, etc. Because therapy and other services are not cheap! She should make the money now while she’s young and still can. I also applaud her for saying to the media that she has children with special needs. Often celebrities are not open about that, thus ‘regular’ people think they are the only ones who have difficulties in their lives when that is not always the case.

Jillian on March 26th, 2011

I see nothing wrong with her saying they are special need children. As one myself, I say I am.

Also, there is nothing wrong with having children and working. I am confused at how the bills and food would happen if work didn’t take place. Hmm…… Why should the dad work instead of her? Maybe the nanny has special training for special needs.

I am a stay at home mom….but that was my choice. Not everyone can or wants to stay home.

erika on March 26th, 2011

what i find so funny is everyone judging her when i know many celebrities/very wealthy families who have one nanny for each child (at least). one family i know had two young children and SIX nannies- one for each child, every 8 hours (so 24 hours/day), and the other family has three kids and has 4 nannies- one for each child during the week, and then one weekend nanny. in these families, the mothers do not work (unless you count working out with a personal trainer as work). you would all know these families if i told you their names- and trust me, you would probably all think they are AWESOME examples of good parents.

sooooooooo…i think everyone needs to stop being so critical of her. everyone likes to pretend like celebrities live the same way as other people, but that’s just not the truth.

she is earning a great living for her kids. her kids may have special needs that have not been publicized. for example, one child may have sensory processing disorder, which isn’t apparent at all unless you are the child’s parent or caregiver.

lighten up and give the woman a break. raising 3 kids is hard. not every woman gives up her career to raise her children. i gave up my very lucrative career to stay home with my kids, but many of my friends did not. and we are all doing just fine.

chyler- stay strong. you don’t owe anyone an explanation!

Thursday on March 26th, 2011

Are we suppose to feel sorry for her?She chose to bring these kids into the world knowing her work situation.I’m all for working moms.But I have a hard time feeling sorry for women who make boosting their public profile a higher priority over their families.Some women are just to busy being fabulous to care about their families.On a side note,I know first hand how challenging raising a special needs child can be.

hayley w on March 26th, 2011

trueheart = troll xx

i think we should all just ignore her little posts since she likes to get a rise out of people by posting crap and nasty comments.

any who i think its brave to stand up and say how hard motherhood is and how much help you need / or have because so many mums jump on each other for having a nanny or working to make a life for their children.

well done you for doing the best you can for your babies xxxxx

Marky on March 26th, 2011

I don’t know what her children’s special needs are, but I know she seems to be a very caring, loving parent doing the best she can to meet HER children’s needs. Their children, their decision. Some children have severe side effects from febrile seizures and some don’t. I read somewhere that her daughter had multiple seizures and one lasted 15-20 minutes with an ambulance having to be called. I also read she daughter) has had lasting effects. so, like CP, there are degrees which need to be acknowledged. Some people tell everyone the slightest details about their children’s problems and some people won’t say anything. She doesn’t have to satisfy our curiosity just because some of us watch her show. Why are we so concerned with whether she stays home every day, all day and does nothing but care for her children; I wish I had been able to earn a lot of money for several years and then just do what I wanted to as far as caring for my kids–either work or stay home. Seems as if she’s doing a very good job all around, and she’s only 28! Good on you, Chyler!

Mira on March 26th, 2011

I didn’t say that she needs to quit her job and be a SHM. Obviously, many, many women/men work AND take care of their kids by sacrificing some personal and couple time and by using babysitters when needed.

I do object to the concept of hiring a full-time nanny or two who basically does everything that parents should be doing. And the role of the parents is reduced to playing with the kids for an hour a day. I don’t see the point of having kids if that’s all you’d be doing. I’m not *judging* anyone. I’m just saying I don’t agree with their choice and I don’t understand the rationale behind this choice.

KPR on March 26th, 2011

Why doesn’t everyone on here just shut up! Ok … if you agree that she should be a stay at home mom and YOU are a stay at home mom … then go hang out with your kids and stop reading celebrity baby blog. If you are a working mom …. get off this blog and start doing what you are supposed to do … WORK! And if you are anywhere in between then good luck … cause to me it sounds like BOTH sides … working moms and stay at home moms …. are hypocritical in one way or another. Stop thinking the other one is the enemy. You are all a little crazy. Get off these blogs and participate in YOUR life … REALITY … you are not celebrities … stop analyzing other people and start analyzing what you can do in your own life. There is always room for improvement …. always.

Sara on March 26th, 2011

Maybe its just me but if her kids are sick like that, why doesn’t she just be a stay at home mom? If my baby was a special needs kid, I would drop everything for him.

Megan B on March 26th, 2011

Maybe it’s just the ER fan in me, but I always picture Noah Wyle when reading her oldest son’s name.

Gaia and labans mom on March 26th, 2011

There’s nothing wrong with nannies or working moms. My only question is, if her time is already so divided between work and home, that she has to hire a nanny what is the point of having another child since that only splits her attention further and she must hire another helper?? I’m not trying to judge her but it doesn’t make much sense to me.

CN Tower on March 26th, 2011

Erika,
Could you please elaborate a bit on your comment where you said we would all “know” the families you made reference to? I don’t know how this is possible, particularly since the mothers don’t work. I can understand how readers would “know” certain celebrities, but this is by virute of the fact that they have a visible career — acting, singing, etc.

SH on March 26th, 2011

Lena–

What terribly ignorant comments. Working outside the home doesn’t mean she is selfish or not there for her kids or providing what they need.

She IS RAISING HER KIDS. That doesn’t mean she needs to be with them every minute of every day.

Brooke on March 26th, 2011

Umm I have special needs and I am not sickly in anyway! That’s just an insault to me and anyone who has special needs!!

erika on March 26th, 2011

CN Tower- you would know these families because the husbands are very famous…while the wives are not famous in their own right. that is all i am going to say about it.

I just think that a lot of people underestimate how different many celebrities’ lives are to average people. they want to believe “hey, they’re just like us”- when not only do they have nannies, they also have full-time housekeepers, personal chefs, groundskeepers, house managers, etc. that’s just their reality. I don’t think someone in the middle of the country living a middle class life can compare it to their experience. It is a different world here.

fwiw, i don’t think it’s a bad thing. these kids are some of the most loveable, adorable, and sweet children. you don’t often see them photographed out with the nannies because their houses/grounds are so big that they don’t need to be out with them much (when they are very young). so, when you see a mom playing at the park with her kids and think she must not have a nanny, then that is not necessarily true.

ecl on March 26th, 2011

I in no way have any problem with women working or with two parents working, but I still agree that it’s weird to have so many children when you work such long hours. Even a person who works 8 hours a day will have pretty limited time with their children in the evening. I’m also not someone who thinks kids need their parents around all the time or that they suffer with nannies. But why have kids, especially a bunch, when both you and your husband work insane hours? Sure, you may say she likes her work a lot and needs the money, but she has more money than most people in the world and doesn’t she also like her kids? I’m glad that both my husband and I make an effort to balance home and work, even if we have less money as a result.

Pamela W on March 26th, 2011

I have had the pleasure to spend an afternoon with Chyler and Nathan. They are truly wonderful Christian people. I have 4 children of my own, and I chose to stay home after the first 2 were born. Financially this worked in the beginning, but now it is challenging. As an actress on a weekly show, Chyler does not work year round, and as a producer and actor, Nathan also has time available, so these children are getting wonderful care when they are working, but also get to enjoy spending time with their parents more than most of us. Also as a stay at home Mom, it is important to have time away from the children to refresh yourself in order to give the best of yourself.
Nathan, Chyler, keep up the good work.

Alex on March 26th, 2011

Maybe I’m making this up, or thinking of someone else, but I thought I read somewhere that her son was autistic. As far as the nannies go, I say to each his own. Whatever you can handle and however much help you need to make yourself feel like a good parent is a personal decision. All three of her children are gorgeous.

CN Tower on March 26th, 2011

Thanks Erica, that makes sense now.

Grace-2 on March 26th, 2011

@Thursday: When did she ask us to feel sorry for her? There was no point in the article where she said, or even implied, that any of us should feel sorry for her.

I admire Chyler for admitting that she has help. It’s refreshing after hearing all the celebrities who claim they have no nannies – when most of them clearly do. Good for her for being honest. Although after seeing how she’s getting raked over the coals for admitting to having help I’m starting to see why some celebrities lie.

Jessica on March 26th, 2011

I for one am not going to judge a parent on THEIR decisions about THEIR children. I see nothing wrong with getting help when you need help. do you know this family personally? have you seen how she mothers her children? have you personally met her nannies? have you seen her nannies in action in person? have you met her children personally? do you know her children personally? if you know nothing about her family other than what you read online or on people then shut the heck up. you have NO idea what goes on with this family and you have absolutely NO right to point your dirty little fingers at her like you are some perfect freaking mother. give me a break! all of you pointing your fingers and shaking your heads like you have any idea what she is going through need to be under public scrutiny like she is. NO one situation is EVER the exact same and she is doing the best she can. YOU DISGUST ME. When I get my license as a child psychologist I guarantee I will see many of you or people like you in my office. I cant wait to point out all of your mistakes since apparently you jerks think your such a “perfect” parent… CANNOT WAIT!

poppykai on March 26th, 2011

I think there have been some good points and some ridiculous points on here. First, we don’t know this woman personally (that is my guess anyway). Second, we don’t know, nor is it our business, what special needs her children have and what they may need for help. Perhaps a specialized “nanny” is the best thing for her children. Maybe she needs to work for personal reasons (financial or self fullfilment/sanity). I am a SAHM of an ADHD child who also has a host of other issues. I have stayed home with him for over 6 years now and often wonder if that has been the best choice for either of us. There is no one right way to be a parent, we all just do the best we can with what we have. I don’t know her personally but she comes across as a woman who would do whatever it takes for her children to be happy and healthy (hopefully like most of us mothers). I sincerely wish that mothers would not criticize one another. We need each others support now more than ever!

Indira on March 26th, 2011

Jessica so you judge posters for judging her? Really? That doesn’t seem spherical to you?

meghan on March 26th, 2011

I wonder if people would be saying “stay home with your kids” if this were a post about Patrick Dempsey (who has three kids) or Justin Chambers (who has five). Somehow I doubt it. Why are women still expected to forfeit the things that makes them a fully rounded adult once they have children? Mom may be the most important role in our lives, but why does it have to become our sole identities? Working probably enriches Chyler and she goes home and can be an even better Mommy to her kids.

I thought more people would be praising Chyler and Nathan for having a such a normal life. The number of couples in Hollyweird that are in their eighth year of marriage are few and far between (especially young Hollywood). Most celebs their age are not settled into a good marriage with three kids. Most celebs their age are making sex tapes and getting DUIs. They should be applauded, not picked apart.

LisaS on March 26th, 2011

Okay, we get it. Some of you are Supermoms who are able to do it all without any help whatsoever. Great. Unfortunately, I don’t come to a celebrity baby site to read about how wonderful YOU are and am seriously starting to get annoyed with the constant tooting of your own horns and the criticism of celebrities who don’t raise their children in a way that you would approve of.

I say kudos to Chyler–like most of us, she’s only human, and seems glad and grateful for any help she can get, paid for or free. I had no idea she had children with special needs but even if she didn’t, I still don’t see anything wrong with having nannies. I wish her and her family all the best.

Nella on March 26th, 2011

Has anyone thought of maybe she doesn’t have the luxury of staying home with the kids?? Maybe they need the money and especially if two of her kids are special needs, I would assume there would be medical expenses they would have to pay. In this economy nowdays staying at home with the kids isn’t always an option and in order to live well and be able to pay your bills, guess what they have to work!!! Just because someone works doesn’t mean they shouldn’t have children or are bad parents because they can’t spend every minute of the day with their kids. People need to stop judging someone whose situatuion they don’t know. Stay at home moms/dads while what you’re doing is great, it’s not something everyone can afford to do or wants to, so judging other working moms isn’t okay, different things work for different people. Also, I don’t think Chyler wanted our pity, she was simply giving an interview just like many other celebs do.

Lena on March 26th, 2011

I commend her honesty and openness. And I don’t criticize her for working while she can. Being an actress is similar to being a professional athlete… It can be a short career with no guarantees for future income.

It is painful to read all the negative comments here… I think Chyler has enough on her plate already. She seems like a genuinely nice person and doesn’t deserve this kind of cruel judgement… Especially when none of you are living her life.

I bet she thinks twice before being so honest next time… What a shame. She will probably make bland statements in the future to avoid this kind of response from people. Too bad… It’s refreshing to me when celebrities give real interviews. But I understand why they wouldn’t want to… The general public is full of jerks.

-Lena. (not the same Lena as the one above)

JC on March 26th, 2011

I don’t know why I am still surprised that people are still so ill informed when it cames to “special needs.” You have some much information at your fingertips but you choose to believe rumors.

Cecelia on March 26th, 2011

How she and her husband raise their children has no bearing on anyone else.

I will never understand why some people think women need to stay home once they have children. Sometimes working is what’s best for a family, financially, and other times, people actually ::gasp:: enjoy their careers. Going to child care, having a nanny, being watched by a babysitter, etc. does not diminish the role of a parent just because you’re not with your child 24 hours a day. Of course some parents abuse the privledge of having help but the vast majority don’t. Women who stay home with their children are not better mothers and neither are those who work outside of the home. Every parent has to do what’s best for his/her family.

Krissa on March 26th, 2011

I have 3 children – 2 with special needs (one with a neuro disorder and another with non critical medical needs)
I am provided with respite money from our provincial gov’t. I get respite based on how much funding is provided and I take as much as I can get (which is minimal)
Kudos to her for taking advantage of what she can! She can afford the help so she uses it!!

CelebBabyLover on March 27th, 2011

Mira- Chyler didn’t say a thing about how often she actually uses the nannies. For all we know, she DOES only use them when she works or when she and her husband are out on date night.

poppykai- Very good point that having a “specialized” nanny might be the best thing for Chyler’s children. I wouldn’t be surprise if at least one of the nannies has more of the role of a therapist or early intervention specialisit than a nanny.

Jessica on March 27th, 2011

Indira,
I was stating the facts. I never said my personal opinion on the matter. and Pointing out others lack of compassion or understanding is not necessarily judging.

Allison on March 27th, 2011

I don’t feel bad for her, she is rich and between her and her husband could easily afford to take a few years off for one of them and focus on the kids. I don’t care how many nannies they pay for, no nanny will do for your kids what you would. I don’t get why she’d keep having more kids if she couldn’t handle any special needs herself. Celebs want to keep their lives as they were, have the kids, and then just hire people to do what they should be doing. Majority of non celeb working moms wish they had the money to stay home.

jeepers on March 27th, 2011

Now febrile seziures and sensory processing disorder are “special needs”???? Please. Pretty soon writing with your left hand and being uncoordinated will be “special needs”. Then both of my children will qualify. Diluting the term only diminishes what children with true “special needs” face. It is becoming some sort of catch-all for anything that you really didn’t expect to have to deal with. I feel like everyone just wants attention by acting like there is something wrong with their kid…I know so many families like this. Every child has challenges that are their own, but not everyone has “special needs”.

jessicad on March 27th, 2011

Not all women feel satisfied staying home 24/7 with their children, good for her for doing both. I’m so glad women have the choice now, it’s sad that so many of you judge her so harshly or think they aren’t raising their children just because she works. People are so narrow minded and self centered that they think everyone should feel or do things the way they do, and the only right way is your way, which is ridiculous.

She seems like a genuine person and I love her character on the show, also love the names they gave their kids!

Carly on March 27th, 2011

As a family member of Chyler Leigh Potts’, I find it horribly offensive that ANY of you are judging her. As far as I have EVER known, she is a very nice, wonderful human being and a great mother at that. How dare any of you say a word about her not going to work because her kids are “sickly.” SICKLY? I hope none of your kids have any kinds of illnesses and are perfect in every way. I can tell you that just because they have special needs doesn’t mean a mother should give up her life to stay home. If there is help to be hired so she can make a living (also money to HELP her children) that so be it. Take a look at your own lives before pointing fingers at anyone else, just because she is a celebrity doesn’t make her any worse of a mother or person. I hope all of you talking smack about her feel humiliated. Take a look in the mirror, how disrepectful

Jillian on March 27th, 2011

Jeepers, I have yet to here the special needs her children have…..as she hasn’t made it public. She never said the seizures were the special needs.

Grace-2 on March 27th, 2011

@Jeepers: I think you’re very poorly informed when it comes to sensory processing disorder. It can have a huge effect on a child’s life, often requires several different kinds of therapy, and if left untreated can inhibit a child’s ability to walk, eat, and function in the world. Anyone who would say that isn’t special needs has never had to spend several hours every day dealing with the additional challenges sensory processing disoder can create (not the mention the meetings with therapists, the additional daily exercises designed to help desensitize the child.) You need to get your facts straight.

Grace-2 on March 27th, 2011

Also, I find it very odd that people are so quick to assume that a working mom is a bad mom but a stay-at-home mom is wonderful. I have two neighbors – one a stay-at-home mom whose children spend all day playing in the street totally unsupervised (despite being toddlers) and another – a working mom who spends a great deal of time in the evenings outside playing ball with her kids and doing various other activities with them.

There are working mothers who totally ignore their kids, and those who spend every minute they’re at home with their kids, just as there are stay-at-home moms who spend a great deal of time with their kids and other SAHM who ignore their kids completely and either plop them in front of the TV or let them run wild in the streets. Knowing whether someone is a working mother or a SAHM is not enough information to know if they are a good mother or not. And I can’t believe how many people there are who are naive enough to think in those terms.

cheryl on March 27th, 2011

Celebbabylover — are you an employee of the site? You probably post more than anyone else and your posts always seem to have a positive slant. You also seem to act like the de facto referee and moderator — explaining other people’s posts and in some cases, breaking up a “fight”. No offence intended, I am just curious.

CelebBabyLover on March 28th, 2011

cheryl- Nope, I’m not an employee of this site. My posts are mostly positive simply because I don’t see a reason to be negative. Even if I disagree with something a celeb does, I feel it’s better to do it in a positive way than a negative way.

Grace-2- Exactly! I happen to have a mild sensory processing disorder myself, and I can never understand when people try to claim it isn’t a special need. Believe me, having a sensory processing disorder isn’t like, say, being a picky eater or being left-handed (both of which, while they may present some challanges, are not special needs. At least not in and of themselves. Sometimes being a very picky eater can by a symptom of a special need. For example, Autistic children are often very picky eaters, and children with sensory processing disorder often are, too).

It can be very challanging to deal with, both for the person who has it and for the family of the person who had it. I, for example, had to undergo several years of occupational therapy in order to treat my sensory processing disorder (in fact, a lot of it was more sensory integration therapy than traditional OT). This included being gradually exposed to certain textures (everything from dry rice grains to shaving cream!), as well as learning how to do things such as properly griping a pencil (that can be a challange for people with sensory processing disorder, due to the often unique way they hold things. For example, the sensation of deep pressure feels really good to me, so I tend to grip and hold things quite hard in order to get that sensation! So prior to therapy, I tended to grip pencils with my whole fist rather than just a few fingers like you’re supposed to!).

My therapy also included learning ways to cope with noisy enviornments (since I’m overly sensitive to noise as well as touch). Thanks to that therapy, I’m a lot better than I used to be, but I still struggle with sensory-related stuff at times. For example, I won’t wear jeans, sweaters, turtle necks, or anything (other than a jacket) that has long sleeves because I don’t like the way those things feel. And even simply touching a piece of paper can somtimes feel weird to me (it’s hard to explain)!

So to say sensory processing disorder is not a special need is simply wrong, IMO.

Jillian- Indeed she never said the seizures were the special needs. Although it’s rare, sometimes prolonged febrile seizures (which is what Taelyn had/has. In the article about it that was posted here, Chyler said usually febrile seizures only last for a couple minutes….but Taelyn’s lasted for a full 25 minutes!), along with the high fever that triggers them, can cause brain damage. And that brain damage, in turn, leads to special needs.

So the seizures themselves aren’t special needs, but they may have LED to special needs for Taelyn. Just trying to clear that up for anyone who’s confused!

Jillian on March 28th, 2011

CBL, Unless you know Chyler and know the facts, you have cleared nothing up. All you have done is give another personal story and tried to clear it up again. No need to “clear up” things for anyone….because you…don’t…know…the….facts. My suggestion is to not speak like you know, unless you do. As someone who has a child in my family suffering from febrile seizures, I can tell you all instances are different. Either way, you are a wee bit off.

Cheryl, I agree.

Sara on March 28th, 2011

Grace-2, Amen girl.

tbrick on March 28th, 2011

@jeepers….you have seriously been misguided about Sensory Processing Disorder. My son was diagnosed with it almost 4 years ago & you have no clue what these kids go through! He has ripped shirts in half because the tags are so iritating to him. He has tied his shoes so tight that the laces have cut into his skin. Yes it is a “special need”. He went through 2 years of OT just for it! Get educated before you open your mouth.

Toya L. on March 28th, 2011

Grace-2
Very well stated! Bravo!!!

CelebBabyLover on March 29th, 2011

Jillian- I never said that Taelyn’s febrile seizures DID cause brain damage or that they are the root of her special needs. I just said that they COULD be. What I was actually trying to clear up was why some posters on here have alluded to Taelyn’s seizures being the cause of her special needs, and all I was trying to say is that Taelyn’s seizures COULD be the the root of her special needs, hence why people are referring to them is being part of her special needs.

And as for the personal story….in this case, I shared it in the hopes that it would educate people about sensory processing disorder. As for why I sometimes “break up” fights or seem like a referee, it’s because I can’t stand to see people argue, and I hate seeing people getting bashed (in my opinion) unnecessarily. I realize that sometimes people argue, and that it’s not right to always jump in. I admit that I struggle with that, and I promise to work at it!

Also, as for this part of your post “My suggestion is to not speak like you know, unless you do.” Please don’t tell me what to do, or how to post. I know you said “my suggestion”, but to me it sounds more like a command.

CelebBabyLover on March 29th, 2011

tbrick- That’s exactly what I was trying to say last night! Glad I’m not the only one who shares personal stories here.

MiB on March 30th, 2011

Having worked as a nanny and at a home/school for children and teens with special needs as well as having grown up with a cousin with special needs I can tell you that you might need a nanny or a mothers helper even if you only have one child with special needs. It might be that the child needs someone to look after them round the clock, it might be that the child is so demanding that you need someone to come in just so that you can have a shower and something to eat at least once a day, you might need someone to relieve you for a couple of hours a week so that you don’t get burned out, or you might need someone during the night so that you can get some sleep. If you have more than one child, you might need someone to cover for you during weekly or even daily therapy sessions, doctors appointments and such as it is really not fair to the other children to have to spend several hours every week in a waiting room or in a car going to appointments for your sibling. Children with special needs often put the family under psychological as well as financial strain. Working obviously gives Chyler joy, and both material and mental means to make her childrens lifes better. She should not have to explain what her childrens needs are for you to judge wether an extra nanny is necessary or not and she should not feel guilty about getting the help she and her family needs. In fact, I have noticed that the families with children with special need that fare the best are the ones that come to terms with the fact that they can’t do it all on their own, and that it’s alright to get all the help they can and need.

Jillian on March 30th, 2011

CBL, I never said that you said they caused brain disorders. Don’t twist things. All I said was you are a wee off on things…which you are. Again, my suggestion is to not speak of things unless you know them. That is not a command. Sorry, if you don’t know what the suggestion means. You can look it up on the internet if you would like. I am also sorry that you don’t like negativity. But in this world not everyone is going to like the same person or the same things. THat is what makes us individuals and I think that is a wonderful thing. Why you are trying to stop that is beyond me. Just like you are allowed to tell everyone how you don’t like their posts, I am allowed to tell you how I don’t like yours. Truth hurts, huh? I am glad to see I am not alone. Seems a lot of people feel the same way.

Saskia on March 30th, 2011

what i find so funny is everyone judging her when i know many celebrities/very wealthy families who have one nanny for each child (at least). one family i know had two young children and SIX nannies- one for each child, every 8 hours (so 24 hours/day), and the other family has three kids and has 4 nannies- one for each child during the week, and then one weekend nanny. in these families, the mothers do not work (unless you count working out with a personal trainer as work). you would all know these families if i told you their names- and trust me, you would probably all think they are AWESOME examples of good parents.

sooooooooo…i think everyone needs to stop being so critical of her. everyone likes to pretend like celebrities live the same way as other people, but that’s just not the truth.

she is earning a great living for her kids. her kids may have special needs that have not been publicized. for example, one child may have sensory processing disorder, which isn’t apparent at all unless you are the child’s parent or caregiver.

lighten up and give the woman a break. raising 3 kids is hard. not every woman gives up her career to raise her children. i gave up my very lucrative career to stay home with my kids, but many of my friends did not. and we are all doing just fine.

chyler- stay strong. you don’t owe anyone an explanation!

- erika on March 26th, 2011

AMEN TO THIS!!

Blair on July 29th, 2011

This is my guess that it is comfirmed her 4 year old has febrile seziures and maybe the special needs for the other one isn’t medical and maybe just that it’s a baby, so it needs to be taken care of more..? (Not more, but like by changing the diapers, making sure she doesn’t try to do something etc)

Got 2 Be Real Here on June 11th, 2012

Bashing an actress with children by saying they should not work & stay home to raise their kids is just lame people. They work just like every one of us does (well, MOST of us anyway) bills just dont pay themselves. Maybe some of you watch toooo much reality crap TV and are unaware of the actual real world ways. Oh and all sorts of issues with children/adults are considered “Special Needs” these days so stop judging unless you know the facts.