When news broke that Rob Pattinson had a secret baby, the world held its breath. It was already winter, and the temperatures were dropping, but for the most popular paparazzi-endorsed couple, the winter of 2014 was truly beautiful: they were blessed with a son, and the world swooned. People couldn’t get enough of the quirky British actor and his artist wife, Belle, and their happy family.
The first few months of the baby’s life were filled with adoration and excitement, as fans gathered outside the couple’s home to catch a glimpse of the new addition to the family. But things change, and the story of a celebrity new baby’s first year isn’t quite as sweet as it seems. It’s a difficult transition into parenthood for any parent, but for a celebrity parent, it’s a whole other ballgame. In fact, according to a new report from DontJudgeMe.com, raising a family in the public eye is more difficult than ever, and it’s getting harder to be a celebrity parent.
More Is More
In the months after his son’s birth, Pattinson, 37, admitted he and Belle don’t always see eye to eye on matters concerning their child. He’s the primary caregiver, and she’s the one who brought their son into the world, so naturally he wants to be the one to shape his son’s personality. But this is an area where they struggle, he said, adding that he doesn’t always feel like he’s doing the right thing for his son.
Now that their baby boy is one year old, the proud parents are finally beginning to see the benefits of having more children. In an interview with ELLE, Pattinson discussed the joys and challenges of fatherhood, as well as his hopes for his son’s future.
From Mummy Wars To Cohabitators
It’s no secret that the world’s most fashionable and richest celebrities want nothing more than to shag as many women as possible. And while this may be fun for the individual ladies involved, it can also cause a lot of friction in relationships with their male partners. Take, for example, Martha Stewart and Karen Elson, who were once happily married. But in 2014, their status as a “couple” was brought into question after it was revealed they were living together and having kids together (the couple have four children altogether). And let’s not forget about the spectacularly unsuccessful Kateřina Rudolfová and Alistair Petter, who had to put their romance on ice after it was revealed they had been secretly trying to conceive for years, only to suffer two heartbreaking miscarriages.
With more and more celebrities struggling with infertility issues, coupled with the growing demands of being a parent, it’s no surprise that some stars want to put themselves before anything or anyone else. Consider the case of Brad Pitt, who famously told an interviewer in 2012: “Sometimes I think being a parent is the most rewarding thing a person can do. Other times, I wonder if it’s the most challenging thing a person can do. Hopefully it’s both.” Well, he certainly succeeded in both areas, fathering six children with his now ex-wife, Angelina Jolie. The film icon and her partner, Jonny Lee Miller, have adopted two children from Cambodia. But that doesn’t mean everything is hunky dory between the exes. It’s reported that their on-off relationship is now filled with bickering and even violence. And what about Meryl Streep and her infamous “feud” with Nicole Kidman? The actresses have been at each other’s throats for more than 30 years, and their ongoing battle was made public in 2006 when Streep’s third husband, Thomas Steyer, died from cancer. Kidman attended the funeral and had lots to say about Streep. What will this year’s Oscar winner have to say about her fellow nominee? Will they attend the same ceremony this year? And what will their walk down the red carpet look like? We’ll have to wait and see.
Different Needs
Another issue that comes with more children is that parents need to reevaluate their requirements and priorities in light of the new arrivals. Take, for example, Lamborghini and Johnny Depp. The fashion house’s founder, Alfonso Lamborghinionce famously said, “I believe that a woman’s greatest gift to men is her ability to give birth. Through this miracle, she brings life into the world. This divine creature embodies purity, femininity, and power.” Well, Lamborghini clearly had no idea what a feminine creature he was talking about, because his only son, Ferruccio, is one of the most successful and famous designers in the world. He’s created iconic dresses for some of Hollywood’s most famous women, including Catherine Zeta-Jones, Ellen DeGeneres, and Angelina Jolie. But his success hasn’t gone to his head, as he’s still very much involved with his family, traveling the world and frequently donating plenty to charity. He also designs a men’s wear collection, which is available for purchase. So while his initial intentions may have been good, maybe Ferruccio Lamborghini wasn’t so smart after all.
In a similar fashion, Johnny Depp founded the production company, Dark Harmony. Its first major production was the film Alice in Wonderland, which came out in 2010 and starred Anne Hathaway. Since then, the company has produced several other films, including the controversial docudrama about the late fashion designer, Mikimoto. But while the luxury brand has enjoyed massive success, it’s taken a toll on Depp’s personal life. He and his family rarely appear in public together, and while he often goes on holiday with friends, he generally keeps the company of his dogs.
Exercise Routine
If you’re a parent who works out regularly, you’re probably already aware of the struggle of finding the time to fit it in. With a newborn, your exercise routine is almost certainly going to be compromised. But while it’s frustrating, it’s also an opportunity to reevaluate your priorities. Your body may need the extra energy, and it can help you resist the temptation to eat too much. This is why it’s important to work out even when you don’t feel like it, because soon enough you’ll feel like you have to.
For example, if you have a daughter who’s a bit of a ballerina, she may need some extra help getting through her pregnancy. So while you’re working out, she can practice her movements and dancing for the baby. This is one of the reasons why some couples exercise together: they have different routines they can help each other with.
Family Dinner Routine
One of the delights of being a parent is getting to see your child grow up. Unfortunately, this also means you have to adjust your habits as a result. You may want to spend more time with your family than ever before, but it’ll also mean missing out on some of the hobbies you used to enjoy, like going out for drinks with your friends. This is why it’s important to establish new practices and rituals that provide balance in your life: having more children means more to do, and less to think about. Sometimes it feels like there’s never enough hours in the day, and it can be hard to fit in the work-life balance that comes with more responsibility. This is why it’s good to establish healthy routines and practices that will help you manage your responsibilities and meet the demands of fatherhood. It may mean sacrificing some things, but it also means enjoying life more. And isn’t that what parenting is all about?