Celebrities - are they real?!

[Lizzer]

Just been catching up on the latest celeb gossip after being away and been shocked by two things, the first being the news that Madonna has (allegedly - but this was apparently said by the woman herself) never ever changed a nappy for either of her children????

The second is that Liam Gallagher and Nicole Appleton have left their THREE WEEK old baby with his grandparents for an 11 day holiday and while he was recovering from an operation on his tongue!!!! Is it me or are they all mad, what does fame do to these people? Do you know anyone who would want to be away from their newborn baby for even a night, let alone a holiday? I thought the other one, Meg Matthews, was bad enough for being on her hols and mising her daughter's 1st birthday but they really take the biscuit with that news, weirdos.

As for the nappy changing, I can see how being able to afford anything on the planet would sway you into employing someone to do it, but hands up how many of us have been a little proud of our darling's 'productions' on occasions, or at least astounded - who would want to miss out on that experience?!

I watched a programme last night on one of the music channels about Oasis, the first part of it focussed on the Gallagher brothers' childhood. It was really sad - and their father by all accounts was awful to live with and not a good role model. Both the brothers talked about their feelings for their father (not good obviously) but it made me wonder what sort of example Liam thinks he's setting for his children. You'd think that someone who'd grown up having such a terrible relationship with his own dad would go out of his way to always be there for his own children.

Bexi, I know what you are saying - but don't most studies to do with family problems show that history repeats itself? (particularly where abuse is concerned, although I'm not suggesting Liam's behaviour fits into that category).

I'd just like to add my two pence worth to this one. I have had weekends away from my two - my eldest was 14 months when me & dh went away for a weekend together. Since we've had 2, we've had a couple of weekends away, and I've had 3 days at home on my own while they were with dh at his mothers (I had to work - that was my excuse). I think it's really important to spend some time with my dh on our own - how can we be a good parenting team if we never get time to recharge our team batteries (what am I going on about - hope this makes sense to someone!). We do enjoy the time we get together, but what I've found is that it's never as good as you anticipate, as you can never go back to the way you were before you had them; I never sleep that well (too used to waking up early), I'm always saying "Bethan would like this", "Catrin would enjoy that" & so on. I must say though, that I never worry about the girls, because I wouldn't leave them with people that I didn't think were capable of looking after them, and more importantly they are happy to be left with & will give them a brilliant time. I worry more about the poor people who have to deal with them!
On the subject of having a bad father and trying to be a good one, the father of my sister's child had a hard childhood, with a largely absent father, and he is repeating all the same things with his little girl. He is living proof of the continuation of the cycle.

Off the subject but what do you think of the recent story about Noel setting up a 250000 trust fund for baby Gene.

My fist thought was how totally and utterly that was a snub for little Lennon. He is Liams first born son and it seems he gets sweet FA from uncle Noel.

Did noel really do this out of love for Gene? Or simply to rub Patsys nose in it. (He has publicly admitited he cant stand her but he thinks Nicole is great)

Imagine how hurt and unimportant little Lennon will feel when he grows up and finds this out.

And what about the OTHER baby, conceived a week after he married Patsy?!

It's craziness to the extreme really isn't it.

I think it's v true about the cycle of bad parenting, as my baby's father is living proof!

I know that perhaps you didn't worry about leaving your children Emsiewill, BUT they weren't 3 weeks old at the time - could you have gone away before they could even focus properly? I can even imagine leaving a baby of 6 months or so, but there is such a difference from 3 weeks isn't there... Sorry, keep repeating myself I know!

Emsiewill - totally agree that it is vital to have time off (we're off this weekend to a friends wedding and my son is going to his gran's - can't wait). But, to repeat Lizzer, surely the time has to be suited to both you and the baby. Swanning off on tour with your pop star hubby when your baby is a) tiny and b) just out of hospital is crap parenting. I'm not saying that I am the perfect parent, far from it. However, if my sixteen month old son came down with some nasty illness before the weekend I would have to cancel the trip away as I wouldn't think it fair on him or his gran. What's more I'd want to be there for him.

Lizzer, no of course there's no way I could have gone away when my two were so young. But then we all live in a different world to them (well, I do, anyway!). And frankly, I'm quite happy in my world.

I do feel sorry for these celebrities sometimes, I think they miss out on alot of things that us 'normal' people have. I like you Emsiewell am extremely happy in my world and little bubble that we live in. It does seem to me that sometimes their little lives have no emotions.

it's totally disgusting -leaving your baby, that is!-it isn't only popstars that do it however -my sister-in-law's friend went on holiday for a week abroad , leaving her 2 yr old and 6 week old baby- i couldn't do it(my breasts would have exploded for a start!) i know it's only a week -but it is 1/6th of the baby's life at that point. what is the point of having them if you're gonna swan around the world pretending you're childless? i wanted to pursue the life of a popstar , but once i found out i was pregnant with my 1st child i had to put it all on hold until i had completed the mother thing(have to resort to the odd karaoke evening once a year!)-frustrating occasionally -yes!-but i was the one who let it happen , so i have to deal with the consequences and not let the child pay for it!!
nicole-grow up and take heed!