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Britney Spears and Kevin Federline settle custody suit

Britney SpearsBritney's fans may be holding out hope for a career comeback, but she's been busy making a comeback of a different type. Last week, the custody case between Britney and ex-husband Kevin Federline was settled. While Kevin will retain primary physical custody, Britney will get visitation with the boys three days a week and two nights, or about 40% of the time. Kevin, on the other hand, will see a "slight" increase in child support payments.

Anyone who watched Brit's breakdown a little less than a year ago will know that she's come a long way in her recovery process. Eight months ago, she lost custody of the boys and seemed unable to pull herself together to even fight for them, which, as a mom, was really frustrating and difficult to watch.

Britney's affairs are still under the control of her father, Jamie Spears, but she's slowly been making professional gains as well, with a cameo on How I Met Your Mother and work toward a new album. I think this is a major victory for her personally, and hopefully a sign that she's on her way to a more balanced and happy life.

Sean Connery drops son from will

Welsh actor Sean Connery has left his son out of his will. According to his ex-wife, the reasoning behind this is that his son, Jason, should provide for himself.

Jason is now forty-five years old, so one would hope he indeed is able to provide for himself. And, in fact he is. According to reports, the father and son fell out after Jason threatened to drop the family name--the reason behind the fight in the first place. Jason works as an actor and director, gigs his father claims he got only because of his name.

According to Connery's ex-wife Diane Cilento, the relationship became strained after Connery cut off the money to his son. What would you do? If you were in a position of power or influence, would you open doors for your children, or would you make them work for it all? Or, would you do something in between?


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Family Ties kid all grown up and getting in trouble

Family Ties castLast year, former Family Ties actor Brian Bonsall made headlines when he was arrested and convicted of third degree assault. You may remember Bonsall as Michael J. Fox's little brother, Andy, on the popular 1980's sitcom. After his conviction last year, the now 26-year-old Boulder, Colorado resident was sentenced to two years' probation for pouring a drink on his girlfriend, grabbing her in a choke-hold and throwing her down on the bed when she tried to leave. Nice.

Today, he's back in the headlines for failing to abide by the terms of his probation. He is accused of not paying for his court-ordered domestic-violence classes, missing his daily alcohol checks and testing positive for at least one breathalyzer test that he did take. But it gets worse. He was due in court yesterday to face those charges and failed to show. The judge in the case is expected to issue a warrant for his arrest today.

Sadly, a former child star getting in trouble isn't all that unusual. But what really gets me is the photos that accompany the article. From sweet-faced little boy to rough-looking criminal, it is enough to break any parent's heart.

'Cindy Brady' teaching her son about hangovers

They say that experience is the best teacher, but I don't think that applies in all cases. For example, Susan Olsen, better known as Cindy from the Brady Bunch, is teaching her 10-year-old son the dangers of alcohol by binge drinking and showing up for work with a vomit-inducing hangover.

The 47-year-old Olsen was being interviewed on a Colorado radio show when she began showing signs of intestinal distress. Clutching her stomach and covering her mouth, the former cutie-pie suddenly bolted for the bathroom. When asked what happened, she proudly told the truth: she drank too much wine the night before and was dealing with a bad hangover. "Of course I threw up in the bathroom. It's better than throwing up on their face," she said. "I'm a very, very, very honest person. I also am a person who doesn't drink."

I agree, cookies are better tossed in the bathroom than on the table. And honesty usually is the best policy. But what about her 10-year-old son, who was with her in the studio? When asked if she was at all bothered by the fact that he witnessed this display, she she insisted she was not. "That's the way kids learn," she said.

The way that kids learn what, exactly? That mom can't hold her booze? That getting drunk the night before you have to work is perfectly acceptable as long as you are honest about it? And if she really never drinks, what prompted her son to invite listeners to come "watch her drink like a pig" at a local bar?

Amanda Peet calls non-vaccinating parents "parasites"

Vaccinations are a hot-button topic that never fails to get parents on either side of the issued riled up. Amanda Peet, who will soon be appearing in a a pro-vaccination video, likely stirred the pot a little more with her recent comment to Cookie magazine.

"I was shocked by the amount of misinformation floating around," she said, "Particularly in Hollywood. Frankly, I feel that parents who don't vaccinate their children are parasites." Somewhere in Hollywood, Jenny McCarthy's ears just started burning.

Continue reading Amanda Peet calls non-vaccinating parents "parasites"

Jamie Lynn finds teenage motherhood "so much fun"

OK! magazine, the publication that Jamie Lynn Spears revealed her pregnancy at sixteen years old, features the teen mom and three-week-old Maddie Briann on their cover this week.

And in spite of troubling reports of teenage pregnancy pacts and the efforts of shows like Baby Borrowers to de-romanticize having a baby at a young age, Jamie Lynn wants everyone to know that "being a mom is the best feeling in the world!"

Continue reading Jamie Lynn finds teenage motherhood "so much fun"

Christie Brinkley divorce trial ends

If you have been following the divorce drama of Christie Brinkley and Peter Cook, then you know things got pretty nasty in the courtroom. Christie spilled the beans on her cheating husband's love of drugs, porn, public masturbation and teenage girls. Could she possibly make him look any worse? Fortunately for their children, we will probably never know if Christie has any more mud to sling. Yesterday, in a closed-door meeting that lasted through the night, the warring couple reached a settlement that effectively ends their public divorce drama.

No surprise, Christie pretty much got what she wanted: sole custody of their two children and all of their Hampton properties (18 of them!). Peter Cook got $2.1 million of his wife's money and some "parenting time" with the children (whatever that means.) The remainder of the settlement is confidential, but I would bet there is a ban on anyone writing a tell-all book.

Madonna speaks out: No divorce

When it comes to divorce rumors, it's not like Madonna can blame us for speculating. First there was that meeting with the high-powered divorce attorney. Then there were those late night visits from friend Alex Rodriguez, which apparently put A-Rod's wife over the edge.

Cynthia Rodriguez is blaming Madonna and Kabbalah (in a straw-that-broke-the-camel's-back sort of way) for ending her five-year marriage to the Yankees star. Family friend Dodd Romero recently said of A-Rod, "Alex, God bless him, is lost. I think he got pulled in by the dark side, if you can say that nicely. He's totally brainwashed."

Though usually mute on rumors and speculation, the whole messy affair apparently got to be too much for Madonna over the weekend. In an exclusive statement to People, she denied both the allegations of an affair between her and Alex Rodriguez and that there were any marital problems between her and Guy.


Continue reading Madonna speaks out: No divorce

Evander Holyfield a deadbeat dad?

Former boxing heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield hasn't fought a match in a while, but he is still making the newspapers. Unfortunately, he's in the legal notices section and the news isn't good. Holyfield's $10 million estate in Atlanta, Georgia is facing foreclosure and is about to be auctioned off to the highest bidder.

If that wasn't enough to make the champ want to punch someone, he is also facing deadbeat dad charges from one of the mothers of his children. Holyfield has been married just twice, but admits to at least nine children fathered out of wedlock. One of those children is a 10-year-old son with Toi Jenese Irvin. Irvin has gone to court claiming Holyfield is behind on his child support payments and now owes her $9000. She also says that Holyfield hasn't maintained a health insurance policy on their child despite a judge's order to do so.

It sounds like Holyfield is having some serious financial issues and the foreclosure and the child support issue may just be the beginning of things. Irvin's lawyer is aware of this and wants to make sure his client is at the top of the list when what's left of Holyfield's money is disbursed. "My concern is there may be a lot of other mothers not be getting paid, and I would like my client to be at front of the line," says her lawyer, Randy Kessler. And Kessler means business. If Holyfield doesn't pay up, the lawyer wants him tossed in jail. "This is such a small amount given the scope of what he has," Kessler said. "If Evander Holyfield can get away with it, anybody can. There are guys making $15,000 a year who go to jail for missing a $100 payment." Yeah, he's got a point there. I don't know what happened to the reported $200 million Holyfield has earned over the years, but perhaps he should have set a little of it aside to take care of all his kids.

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Denise Richard's kids in therapy

Some moms boast about their young daughter's involvement in dance or gymnastics or sports, but not Denise Richards! The bitter ex-wife of Charlie Sheen felt the need to share with In Touch magazine that the couple's two daughters Sam, 4, and Lola, 3 are both in therapy.

"It's very sad that they need to be there, but they do for now. On the other hand, it's good they have an outlet to deal with their feelings and someone who is just their advocate." Richards told the magazine.

What I find really sad is that these girls have to have a hired advocate because Mommy is too busy appearing on television denying she sent their father emails asking for sperm and her reality show and Daddy is occupied with screaming at Mommy and remarrying the next victim wife. One of the parents should be able to get themselves together enough to act in the best interest of the kids, no matter how bitter the divorce was.

And apparently Denise fancies herself the "good parent" because in full-on Mother of the Year mode, she explained exactly why she's sharing her baby girl's private lives with a glorified tabloid before they're even old enough to go to school and be teased for seeing a shrink.

"If I can help anyone feel better about their kids being in therapy - then something else good has come of this, too."

Maybe instead of feigning concern over everyone else's children (which is obviously a passive-aggressive way of trying to make herself look like a responsible adult and Charlie as the problem) Denise should worry about her daughters above all else. A good start would be to keep her daughters' private business out of the headlines to the best of her ability.

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Anthony Kiedis not being considered for father of the year

I like Anthony Kiedis. I like the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I don't think Anthony is close to honing his parenting skills. Recently Kiedis was spotted riding around in one of those electric gem cart type thingees with his son Everly, eight months old, strapped to him in a baby bjorn. So, in other words, the kid wasn't in a car seat.

According to TMZ, who has picture perfect proof of the whole incident, the RHCP lead singer clearly learned nothing from Britney Spears. Does he not realize that every single parenting move Brit has made since she was photographed allegedly fleeing the paparazzi with her toddler between her lap and the steering wheel has been called into question and grilled under scrutiny?

And, not that this is any excuse, but it's not like Anthony is a young dude with no clue. He's in his forties (and still looking mighty fine, although less so now that he's pulled this stupid move) and, I'm sorry, should just know better. He has no excuse for being this unbelievably careless and stupid. And no, Anthony, it didn't look cool. I don't care how many drugs you did back in the 80's, it's no excuse for endangering your child. What a _____________.

Did lightning strike with Don Imus?

As a person, you know that some people never learn. You see and hear this fact every day. As a parent, you will, at some point, no doubt be forced to share this delightful bit of information with your children, even as you try to teach them to be people who do learn from their mistakes and shortcomings. Sometimes it's tough to do when those people who never learn continue to be on the receiving end of everything but karma.

As we all know by now, Don Imus, the controversial radio disc jockey, is in the news again for making what are being construed as racist remarks. Recently Imus commented on the numerous (six!) arrests of football star Andrew Jones, who is African American. During the broadcast Imus asked what color Jones was. When he received the response, he stated, "Well, that explains it. Now we know."

Imus has since come forward claiming his comments were meant to be sarcastic. The people aren't buying it though, and neither is Andrew Jones, who said he has problems with African Americans and that he will be praying for Imus. I don't necessarily think Imus has a problem with a certain set of people (maybe he does, maybe he doesn't), but I do think he doesn't know when to let well enough alone. He doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut. Imus, however, doesn't get paid to do that. He gets paid to bring attention to his program, any way he knows how. And making controversial remarks is his trademark.

Christie Brinkley divorce drama begins

Christie Brinkley's divorce proceedings aren't even underway yet and already the spectacle has begun. You may recall that the 54-year-old Brinkley filed for divorce from hubby Peter Cook after catching him cheating with a 19-year-old office assistant two years ago. If that wasn't humiliation enough, Brinkley now has to deal with Cook's new love inserting herself into the sure-to-be messy divorce proceedings.

After Brinkley kicked him to the curb, Cook began dating single mom Suzanne Shaw. She's the former lover of a Park Avenue dentist who dumped her when she was six months pregnant. Because of that experience, she says she sympathizes with Brinkley. "I've been there, and I feel for her," Shaw said.

However, Shaw is concerned about the public beating she is sure Brinkley has planned for Cook and would like the former supermodel to back off her boyfriend for the sake of the kids. "He obviously made a mistake," she says. "But one mistake doesn't erase years of being a good person.

"She's doing this to publicly flog him," she continues. "This shouldn't be about her. It should be about their kids, [and] it will mean long-term, protracted damage to them."

I understand Shaw wanting to protect her man, but I think she is way out of line here. This is about Christie Brinkley, her kids and her cheating ex-husband. Shaw is entitled to her opinion, but should seriously consider keeping her mouth shut. If I were Brinkley, Shaw's comments would infuriate me.

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Free lipo with C-section???

Ok, I'm going to ask you a question, and I want you to be totally honest. Recently, a friend of mine revealed that when she went into the hospital to have her first child, wherein she had a Cesarean, she was offered and took advantage of free liposuction while she was in there.

My pal said she figured they were in there already, so why not go for it? Within a month of having her baby, if that, she was back in her regular jeans. Meanwhile, here I am, going about it the regular old way of the vajayjay, and I got nothing but running fourteen miles a day trying to get my butt back to its original, non-Texas size.

My friend said, however, that when she had her second child (also C-section, not VBAC), she was not offered such a thing. When she asked the doctors and nurses looked at her like she was insane. Her first child was born in New York City, her second, upstate. Perhaps it was a city trend. Perhaps it was because she had a rather large baby in there. Perhaps it was because she had a scheduled C-section. Perhaps it was NOT FAIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So. Were you offered a free bit of lipo when you went under the knife? 'Cuz if so, it might explain why all those Hollywood moms look pencil thin ten minutes after giving birth. And, it may be reason enough to sign up for an elective C-section!

Alec Baldwin to leave Hollywood?

Has success gotten to Alec Baldwin? Is he ready to throw in the sweaty, tear-soaked towel of Hollywood and make a go of it elsewhere? Quite possibly. Recently Alec, the eldest of the famous Baldwin brothers, took stock of all that has happened to him over the course of the last several years and feels he might be ready to say hasta la vista to Tinsel Town.

Between Alec's never-ending divorce from actress Kim Basinger, the ensuing very ugly custody battle, and some behavior Alec is ashamed to call his own regarding his daughter Ireland (he, uhm, referred to her as a selfish little pig, in case you don't remember), Alec has still found time to act and basically steal a show away from Tina Fey. Now, though, he is reconsidering what it's like to deal with the media non-stop and getting through it all just to act.

According to Alec, who recently spoke to the New York Post (which, by the way does nothing to ease your troubles in the media zealousness area), said that if you have four bad days in four years that is essentially all the public gets of you from the media. He also feels the business has changed and that there are other things outside of acting he'd like to get into. Alec also has repaired his relationship with his daughter and is looking for someone to love. Sounds like someone is having an epiphany!

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