Sometimes you have to wonder about the lives of celebrities. Truly wonder. As in, they truly don’t live normal lives. Yeah, we already knew that, but don’t their lives end up resembling a caged animal in a zoo more than a liberated citizen in this country? Look, the monkey is actually… wait for it… peeling a banana! Wow, major accomplishment!

Enter Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. Granted, they’re at the upper echelon when it comes to A-listers of the A-list but apparently they went to get ice cream in Jordan. They took their twins to get ice cream. This, my friend, has become news. For real? They also visited refugees in Syria related to Angelina’s work with the U.N. Now that, to me, is headline news!

I think we put celebrities on too much of a pedestal. Way too high of a pedestal, that is. Do you take your children to get ice cream? Isn’t that a normal thing to do? Maybe that’s why it made headlines. After all, here are two wealthy, successful actors doing something that regular folks do on a daily basis. Why make news of it? It’s probably because their children are rarely seen in public. Again, could you imagine raising kids to have photographers following their every move? To have sleazy people scrounging through your garbage? To truly live under a microscope? I commend Jolie for doing goodwill work but just wish some of the minutiae wasn’t magnified as some of the truly substantial things like her work get downplayed.

I won’t start my soapbox rant of how professors doing research on cancer or volunteers across the country are making a difference for various causes and how they get overlooked. Rather, we’ll just focus on the high pedestal we put celebs on for “newsworthy” things that aren’t so significant when you truly think about it. Although some people enjoy celeb stuff as an escape and hey, we all know entertainment is an escape anyway, can we just keep our feet on the ground here for a sec, please?

They went to get ice cream. Big deal. Get over it. Let’s focus on some more important things and give them their privacy, ‘k?

Do you think magazines and websites publish trivial headlines because they think there’s a demand for it? Or is the demand being fed by the publications which choose to publish such “breaking news?”

[Photo: AP]

When it comes to parenting or even trying to juggle it all, the key is simply stopping.

In fact, actress Uma Thurman indicated to The Times she received a prescription from a doctor on something which was “unthinkable.” Doctor’s orders? One night a week in a hotel room. Although she didn’t follow through and couldn’t imagine doing that, she realized she seemed to be utterly exhausted. Spent. Worn out. The tank had run out of gas. Stop me any time now…

Her big wish now, she says, is to make a little time for herself. “I think many women, working women, get this. I mean, how do you justify that hour-and-a-half to yourself? When you have this to do and that to do and you want to be there… So I really want to do that. I really think it’s necessary.”

So necessary that your household will fall apart if you don’t put yourself first. If your tank is only half full, how can you possibly muster up the strength to keep it moving when it’s almost already spent? The mother of 11-year-old Maya Ray and 7-year-old Levon Roan has a new film being released this fall, aptly called Motherhood.

So this one’s a shout out to all the moms out there. Have you been able to create downtime for yourself when you haven’t felt guilty? Where did you go/what did you do? Was it a matter of a brief nap? Pedicure? Starbucks treat? Do dish!

{Photo: Getty}

Getty Images

Does this family ever get any rest from mourning? They lost Eunice Kennedy Shriver two weeks ago and now… iconic senator Ted Kennedy lost his battle with brain cancer.

Here’s the thing about paparazzi parenting or, in this case, surrogate parenting in the spotlight as the patriarch of the Kennedy family. Then look at all of the tragedies over the years that have impacted their lives. Ted lost his brothers Joseph, John, and Bobby. When JFK, Jr. passed away 10 years ago, it was Ted Kennedy who took the reigns as the surrogate parent. He was the one who kept the family intact, released the family statements, dealt with the press, and kept a firm upper lip to be strong for the family. Sure, their family has endured a lot of triumphs as well, but it always seems unfortunate when tragedies occur to them. For a longer, more formal tribute, be sure to read the obituary in The New York Times. For purposes of this blog, let’s focus on surrogate parenting.

As we look at Americana, royalty, and the very fabric of our culture, it’s embedded with the Kennedy’s. Whether you’re a fan of them or not, whether you’re a right or left winger, there’s no denying the indelible stamp their family’s legacy has left on our nation’s history, politics, and government.

So, as our country mourns the fallen senator, let’s not forget: a parental role in the spotlight can indeed be done with dignity, grace, and even when it’s not your own children you’re protecting. To quote another senator, as in Hillary Rodham Clinton, “It takes a village.” Amen!

As you heard of the passing of the late senator, what thoughts came to mind? Were you like me in not being able to name any other senators by name other than the one from your home state and Massachusetts? Or perhaps you were thinking about the Kennedy family and how they each left their mark and place in history? Or how at least this Kennedy got to endure a long life to see his hair become gray and see the younger members of the family become adults? Let’s discuss.

John Wilcox

She’s beautiful. He’s beautiful. She’s ridiculously wealthy. He’s over-the-top rich. See a pattern here? Meet Gisele Bundchen, international supermodel and Tom Brady, quarterback of the New England Patriots.

Now meet her little baby bump! Gisele’s baby is due early next year and we can only wonder, will her infant be a glam baby model? Child model? Teen model? Hmmm. With those gorgeous genes, whether their tot is a boy or a girl, it matters not. The question is, will they be stage parents and push their cute kid into cute kid baby contests? Gerber baby contests? Dare we say it: pageantry?

Lest us not speculate, time will tell how they end up parenting their child. It’s interesting when you think about it, truly. When international superstars are photographed everywhere they go, a flashbulb here, there, and everywhere, how challenging it becomes to leave the house with a child especially when paparazzi craves the cute kid photo?

But in the celeb world the newlyweds seem to be tickled pink. Or light blue.

Do you think super-glamicious stars should push their beautiful children into the spotlight or let them take a back seat and attempt to enjoy private life?

Sometimes you wonder, when a big-name celeb celebrates a holiday, what exactly do they do? Go out for brunch, a walk in the park and BBQ with the fam? Are they just like us or do they celebrate in larger than life A-list style? Hmmm.

Well, if you’re Matthew McConaughey, on a day like Father’s Day, you update your website with news relating to fatherhood, of course. “Happy Father’s Day,” he writes. “It’s my first, and the last 11 months with Levi and Camila have been the most rewarding adventure to date. We have more blessed news to celebrate this Father’s Day that makes this time next year double the fun. Levi is going to be a big brother.”

Congratulations! While this is exciting news no doubt, we wonder if the star plans on tying the knot. Are we perhaps a bit old school? You bet. The 39-year-old actor recently signed on to star in Hammer Down, a flick about a former NASCAR driver who attempts to break back into the racing world.

He continues, “Yeah, we pulled off the greatest miracle in the world one more time. Camila and I are expecting our second child, bringing more life into the world, making more to live for. The future looks bright as the family grows, and we thank you for all the well wishes you send our way.”

This makes us pause. Considering his movie star good looks and his Brazilian girlfriend’s amazing genes, will their second child be as cute-kid friendly as their first? You betcha. Does he have the best lifestyle to be a dad, go on set for a few months or weeks a year and then spend time with the family? Ah, the grass is always greener.

So whaddya think? Should stars like Matthew tie the knot with their beloved, especially once children are born?

Okay, consider this a gratuitous post but, you know what? We just can’t resist. Ever hear of the song by Fountains of Wayne called, Stacy’s Mom? You know the tune, right? The frontman croons about having a crush on a friend’s mom: “Stacy’s mom has got it goin’ on. She’s all I want and I’ve waited for so long. Stacy, can’t you see you’re just not the girl for me. I know it might be wrong but I’m in love with Stacy’s mom.”

Well, could you imagine this in reverse? Your daughter is hanging out with Hugh Jackman’s son. And um, in the spirit of the song you can guess what happens next! A little crusheroo perhaps on the boy’s dad?

Maybe it’s the fact that he’s over-the-top talented, good-looking, and seems incredibly sincere. But Hugh Jackman has been happily married since 1996 and has two kids to whom he’s unabashedly devoted.

The Australian superstar recently dished that his nine-year-old adopted son, Oscar Maximillian, has been spotting pretty girls left and right. Now, even though Oscar has a new hobby of scoping out girls, we can only wonder how many of them will end up with a crush on his papa! Apparently his opening line is, “Hey, my Dad’s Wolverine.” And then he proceeds to ask his Dad to do some autographs for his new lady friends.

Hmmmm, do you think there’s anything wrong with Oscar pimpin’ out his Dad in the name of flirting?

(Photo: Stewart Shining)

Alison Dyer

What would you do if you were immersed in the over-the-top-skinny look of Hollywood and stood in the glaring light of the television spotlight? Better yet, imagine hosting a reality show about losing weight and yet you have just given birth!

Meet Alison Sweeney – The Days of Our Lives actress and host of The Biggest Loser. Sweeney gave birth to her second child, a daughter, Megan Hope on January 12, 2009.

So you can imagine what the star did next: exercise. Although she returned to the TBL set merely eight days after giving birth, and reprised her role on Days merely six days beyond that, she’s doing what her show’s contestants do best: work out.

Giving props to Nintendo Wii, Sweeney rocks out to its fitness program EA Active. As Sweeney gets accustomed to motherhood times two, it looks like her discipline and determination will get her back into her skinny jeans in no time flat. (I could totally dish here about being healthy instead of scary skinny, but hey, that would be a whole other blog.)

Even though it sounds like Sweeney is dropping the pounds the good old-fashioned way (i.e., hard work), do some celebrities take it too far to drop the baby weight pronto?

Ramey

Didja ever wonder what it would be like to grow up with a famous mom or dad? In a world where “Take Your Kids to Work Day” would be a day on set, the little tykes would grow up surrounded by fame, fortune, and an unrealistic lifestyle by typical “Tar-zhay” standards.

Take, for instance, Heidi Klum. During a recent interview on The Bonnie Hunt Show, the supermodel mentioned that her daughter, Leni, has attended rehearsals for Victoria’s Secret fashion shows. Get this – little Leni thinks, “It’s 27 Barbies walking down the runway.”

Which got me thinking. What happens a few years later when they recognize their parents on the runway or on the big screen and yet they know them from backstage events, barbecues, and birthday parties? Hmmm. It certainly is a different life than the typical American family but I suppose as long as the kids grow up with values and ethics and most of all, unconditional love, these three building blocks are no different than a loving parent-child relationship in all corners of our country.

But enough pontification. What do you think? Do celeb kids grow up with a distorted view of the world being surrounded by glitz and glam or does it depend on the parenting prowess?

Startraks

Does anyone not envy Gwyneth Paltrow? Envy in a good way, darling.

She’s gorgeous, thin, has two adorable kids, and is married to the front man of Coldplay, one of the best-selling bands of our generation (right behind the iconic U2). And yes, she’s a movie star, travels the world, and pals it up with celebs like Madonna and Stella McCartney. It’s hard to believe her daughter, Apple Blythe Alison, is about to turn five years old.

Gwyneth recently talked glowingly about motherhood to a magazine, “My perspective is so much different and the way I spend my day is different.” Keep in mind she is wealthy and has flexibility that “normal” moms don’t; rest assured she likely has a cook, nanny, housekeeper, and more members of a dream team. Nevertheless, as a working mom when she’s on set, she dearly misses her Apple and Moses, her two-year-old son.

The Oscar winner also notes the importance of being a working mom and not losing her identity as a person or artist. She dishes, “It is also nice to acknowledge that I am a woman, I’m an artist, I work, and it’s part of who I am.”

As for the icing on the cake or, in this case, the stem on the Apple (ok, bad joke!), she tries to keep them grounded and remind them how lucky they are. “[I teach them] to be mindful and hopefully it will stick with them.”

This may seem like a no-brainer but is it ok for celebs to spoil their kids rotten because they can or teach them a sense of values when it comes to money, manners, and success?