Angelina Jolie

[migirl]

What a weird thing to say.

[Stella]

I'm a huge fan of Angelina... I think that statement could be taken in many different ways. And of course, we don't hear her inflections as she is saying it. I can understand how meeting a kid at 6 months vs. a newborn who just cries and poops can be a very different experience. She's not "saving" this newest child, it was lucky enough to be born to her. And, hell, to be born of Jolie and Pitt genes, you better believe she was born spoiled.

I'm kind of with Stella on this one. So much can be cut out or reinterpreted or MISinterpreted when things like this are taken out of context. But an odd thing to say in any context.

Having never adopted (but having had thoughts about it), I could almost see her point. You would want to THINK about it more consciously - to be sure those kids knew they were loved - especially if they knew that they came to your family via a different route. It's expected and assumed w/naturally born kids. I'm not saying it would be harder to love the adopted child - it just may be something you'd feel you need to be more obvious and demonstrative about so that there was no question.

Or - she's a nut.

[DCJenn]

Actually, Rick's mom said the same thing- the girls were great and all but they had to work to get him and wait and let me tell you, the sun rises and sets over him.

I know precisely what she means- when you start out at toddler, going back to infant is a complete mind trip. I can't even imagine how bizarre that must have been for her. You get these fascinating little people and blammo- then there's an infant and really- they kind of are blobbish by comparison. (of course, I've never been the "snuggle the baby" kind of person so things worked out perfectly for me)

I don't think she meant anything malicious. It's just that her initial parenting experiences were different than most. It would be like me having a baby (Dear God, may that never, ever happen). It would blow my mind.

Jenn

Phew. I'm so glad you said that Jenn. I was concerned I may have voiced something offensive to the adoption crowd.

[Auspicious]

I think she's weird and she's fetishizing the third world.

Or - she's a nut.

Yep, or that.

I think she's weird and she's fetishizing the third world.

And that too.

[Sheherezade]

I don't have strong feelings about her, per se. My thought on the quote was "Shut UP!!!" I mean, how will her daughter feel about that when she reads it later? I don't have a problem with the sentiment, but I wish she had said it after 2 glasses of wine to a dear friend late at night - not to a reporter.

It seems like a feeling that you would have some - shame? - for having. I'd hesitate before voicing those thoughts, even if they were contributing to my behavior. These are your children. They will already be in competition for your love....why give them more to ponder?

But.....I suppose it isn't about *the kids*.

[houseelf]

Great analysis, Shera..Sheera....Oh, you know who you are and I can't spell it.

We all have mixed emotions about our kids that we don't like to admit in the light of day. I understand where she is coming from in some small way. I have one child who will attend at least three different elementary schools and will be 9.5 when residency ends. The other one will be four. I don't like to admit it, but I am probably going to be much more protective about the older child's education and social network. (Unless of course the other one shows me that she has a special need and then I'll probably be overanalytical and cautious on her behalf as well.)

I also get that infants, while unbelievably cute and intoxicating, just don't have the "personality" of an older child yet. No one really admits because the problem sort of solves itself as the infant ages into a toddler with personality galore. Still it is an unspoken truth of parenting. I felt guilty about this for awhile. Don't worry, DD has tooooonns of personality now and we've bonded at a deeper level.

Finally, I think that Angelina probably has guilt on the whole natural birth thing because she literally saved her other two children from a high likelihood of disease, famine, illiteracy, or who knows what else. A lot of moms have some sort of similar crazy guilt: my kids are too close together, too far apart, an only child, fatherless, I'm too old, too young, whatever. I hear women express these sentiments all the time.

With all of these concessions being made, I couldn't agree more with Sherazade's analysis. These feelings are only appropriate for sharing with your deepest girlfriends, NOT IN A MAGAZINE!

I guess that her kids are going to have issues too.

Kelly

I love her. I find the quirkyness a refreshing diversion from the typical shallow, Hollywood actor. She was so good in Gia and Girl Interrupted....
For someone without a formal education, she is fairly well spoken during her interviews.

I assume that just about all famous actors/actresses are a little messed up in the head. I mean, you get lost in different characters and pretend for a living. She was raised by actors so she of course started out badly. Lets hope she really has become this mother earth character she portrays...for the sake of her children.

[Rapunzel]

I think she's weird and she's fetishizing the third world.

Thank you for articulating my sentiments so well.