Ali Larter: Taking Care of Theodore Is a Team Effort

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No need to divvy up the baby duties in Ali Larter and husband Hayes MacArthur‘s household!

“You know, I think of us as a very modern day couple. He loves being a father and I love being a mom so it’s something that we enjoy,” the actress, 35, tells PEOPLE during a Rebuilding Together and Carter’s Kids event in San Fernando, Calif. on Wednesday.

“We don’t think of it as this duty that we have to do. We both enjoy being part of raising [our son] and it’s great to have a partner in life like that.”

However, despite the strong support system, Larter admits her sleep schedule is still suffering since the birth of 7-month-old Theodore Hayes.

“I am tired! [I use Yves Saint Laurent] Touche Éclat [Radiant Touch],” she reveals, adding that her determination to make a difference also plays a large part in her motivation.

“I’m really inspired to be out here today. I was with the baby and I wanted to be out here actually, working more, but as any mom knows, sometimes they pick your schedule out for the day.”

And as baby boy grows and is able to express his needs, Larter admits leaving him home only gets harder.

“It’s always hard to leave, but he’s still pretty tiny,” she says. “He’s sitting up, but he’s not running around or talking yet, so I think that it does get harder and harder.”

Although Larter’s workout routine has waned since becoming a mother, she credits her bounce back after baby to nursing.

“Breastfeeding is definitely helpful,” she explains. “I’m still nursing so I feel like you don’t want to get too thin because you’re taking care of the baby.”

– Anya Leon with reporting by Melody Chiu

Comments

Kristin on July 22nd, 2011

What is the problem with leaving behind her 7 month old? So many women go back to work in 6-8 weeks after having a baby. It has to do with having a job, not just being a “hollywood superstar.” People are so judgemental.

K on July 22nd, 2011

I agree, Kristin. 6 – 8 weeks is the norm for maternity leave in the real world. And isn’t having a nanny nearly the same thing as sending your child to day care? Or to a person’s house each day so that you can go back to work? I’m sure many women abuse the privilege of having a nanny, but we cannot assume that all women or parents in Hollywood do.

Kat on July 22nd, 2011

I’d love to have my 7 month old with me most of the time, but I also have to do a little thing called work! And I agree, the older they get the harder it is to be away from them.

My husband’s cousin has a nanny because her job includes travel, I guess we can call her Hollywood too!

Sarah K. on July 22nd, 2011

Marie, according to the article she’s still breastfeeding so it doesn’t really sound like she’s uninvolved. Mothers are allowed to have jobs.

Cassie on July 22nd, 2011

Newsflash Marie – Moms and Dads can’t always be home with their children 100% of the time…. it’s called WORK!!!

Jen DC on July 22nd, 2011

@ Marie: And didn’t she just say that her husband is thrilled to take care of the baby? She can pump, leave the milk, the husband AND the baby and be out for a few hours without the baby forgetting who she is or being irredeemably scarred by her absence. And even if he IS with a nanny, every woman has a right to be fulfilled outside their duties as mother and wife. We’re not living in the Victorian Era anymore.

me on July 22nd, 2011

My son will be three next month and I have never been away from him overnight. His diet included my breast milk until he was two. I am lucky enough that I was able to make the choice to put my career on hold during this time.

That said why judge anyone else? Some woman choose to return to work and some find it necessary. Also reading the article it clearly indicates this interview was conducted at a charity event! That she was out ‘working’ at an event which helps children.

Jillian on July 23rd, 2011

What I find interesting about this article is the need to defend Ali for her comments because she is well liked. I have seen other articles with celebs who seem to not be liked as much, saying similar things like “i wish i was home with the baby” or “wish i wasn’t working” or “don’t want to leave the baby,” People chime in and say, well don’t work, stay home, blah blah blah!

It all depends who the celebrity is and if they are liked…….Ali is likeable, that is what it boils down to.

Lena on July 23rd, 2011

Jen dc, I get what you’re saying, but the Victorian era is not the best example to illustrate your point. The late 1800s was in the midst of the industrial revolution which saw many women leave the home to work in factories as did many children. Those who were wealthy did not have to work, but almost all employed nannies so they had plenty of time to socialize. It was not in vogue to stay home with the children, and breastfeeding was considered primitive and animalistic.

jessicad on July 23rd, 2011

Our lives don’t have to end with children. I still enjoy having my own life outside of being a mother and my daughter, and that’s perfectly fine for some of us. We should support each other no matter what.

Marva on July 26th, 2011

Re. K: “6 – 8 weeks is the norm for maternity leave in the real world.”

Huh? Well, not in the real word I live. I’m from Germany and mothers can make use of a maternity leave up to three YEARS.
6-8 weeks is insane and inhuman. What if your partner also has to work? The baby would be far too young to be in kindergarten. I’d rather live on social benefits than leave my 6-week-old baby to be able to work.