Jill Johnson/JPI

While hosting a Winter Wonderland-themed charity event for Feeding America at her California home recently, Alison Sweeney said she hoped son Benjamin Edward, 4 ½, and daughter Megan Hope, 10 months, would someday learn from her charitable example.

“I look forward to volunteering at a food bank on Thanksgiving, and I plan to introduce my children to the idea of giving back as soon as they’re ready,” the 33-year-old actress tells BabyCenter.

“It certainly helps me keep my problems in perspective. I want that same clarity for my children.”

Together with husband David Sanov, Alison said she’s also teaching the kids that animals are just as deserving of their help. “Both of our dogs come from shelters, and we explained to Ben how we wanted to take care of them and welcome them into our family,” she explains.

When asked how she maintains such a balanced childhood for Ben and Megan given their mom’s fame, Alison admits”that’s a tough one.” She adds,

“I don’t think anyone’s figured it out 100 percent. You just do the best you can. Being aware of the advantages you have and helping your children understand their good fortune is probably half the battle. Also, setting a good example. Making sure you, as parents, are being good role models is key.”

Alison says that a good place to start is having your child volunteer in the community. “It’s something you can do together, and teaches them the importance of giving back,” she notes. “I remember when I first realized some kids didn’t get presents on Christmas. It’s a scary thought as a kid, but doing something proactive such as gathering toys for orphanages can really bring you together as a family.”

Click below to read about Alison’s Thanksgiving plans.

Family time is definitely on the agenda as Thanksgiving approaches, and Alison says she’ll spend the day helping her own mom whip up a feast. “My mom is a great cook,” she raves. “It’s so fun to see everyone. To me the holidays are all about celebrating together.”

Working side-by-side in the kitchen, Ben and Megan will no doubt be a topic of conversation for mother and daughter, but Alison says the best piece of advice she received about parenting was to parent Ben as if he was not her first child.

“When you’re a new parent think you have to jump at every squeak,” she notes. “But if you imagine that you already have a kid, you realize you can’t just drop that child to come running.” She adds,

“As you deal with your new infant, you’ll come to appreciate the extra breathing room that comes from considering what you’d have to do if you had an older child too!”

When asked whether she now says things she never imagined she’d say, Alison admits that it happens “a lot,” revealing,

“I hated the saying ‘You’ll understand when you’re older.’ I never thought I’d say that — but I have, and probably will again.”

Source: BabyCenter

– Missy

Brian To/Elevation

The past year has shaped up to be quite the eventful whirlwind for Parminder Nagra! Not only did she and her longtime boyfriend James Stenson finally tie the knot in January, the couple welcomed their first child together — Kai David Singh — last May.

“Newlywed, newly mother,” she laughs while talking with Celebrity Baby Blog during the 7th Annual Bag Ladies Luncheon.

Life as a new mom has taken its toll on the former ER actress, who admits that after spending six months at home with her baby boy, she has only just begun to put her “feet back in the water” when it comes to her career. And, according to Parminder, for good reason! “Really, I’ve been so exhausted and he is still not really sleeping through the night,” she shares.

As a result of Kai’s midnight festivities, catching up on shut-eye has become top priority for Parminder.  “Sleep when the baby sleeps,” she advises.

“It’s really difficult to do ’cause you’re like, ‘Maybe I can catch up on this.’ Before you know it, he’s woken up again. I read that and my mother-in-law helped me with that as well. My first five weeks she was out helping us. Thank God she was there.”

With the new family of three settling into their routine, a favorite pastime for the mother-son pair has become quiet moments bonding over baby books. “I love reading him Dr. Seuss,” she reveals. Confessing that she never grows tired of the series, which includes all of the classics, mama says she may be into it more than baby!

“I think I’m enjoying it maybe more than he’s enjoying it. It’s so much fun to read,” she raves. “They’re just amazing. Absolutely timeless. Total genius.”

Elated with first-time motherhood, Parminder notes that the addition of baby has been, for the most part, a smooth transition. “It’s great. He’s so much fun,” she says, adding that one of Kai’s latest milestones includes “giggling a lot now” thanks to the family’s furry friends!

“Our dogs seem to amuse him which is quite funny.”

– Anya with reporting by Nina Tyler

Christopher Peterson/BuzzFoto/FilmMagic

Music is understandably a frequent theme in the Tennessee home Keith Urban shares with wife Nicole Kidman, and in a new interview Keith says that husband and wife often share a duet! “I love singing with her at home,” the 42-year-old country crooner shares. “It’s quite nice.”

As for whether or not the couple — married since 2006 — will make it official and record a song together, Keith admits it’s not “out of the question,” but adds, “we sort of do our own things professionally.” A daddy-daughter duet could be in the works, however! Keith boasts that Sunday Rose, 16 months, has “got some pipes!”

“They’re loud, you know! I think so. I think she sounds quite musical. Sit her at the piano and play and we mash the keys together.”

Looking forward to the holidays, Keith says that he’ll keep things simple with his New Year’s resolution. “Just to keep choosing love truly,” he reveals.

Source: PEOPLE; OK!

– Missy

Alpha/Landov

While everyone loves the idea of celebrity dads Ben Affleck and Matt Damon enjoying an occasional playdate with their daughters, Matt says that it is yet to happen. “We’re on different coasts,” he pointed out recently to OK!

Chatting from the premiere for the History Channel’s new documentary The People Speak, Matt said that his family — who recently relocated to New York City — would be heading back to Florida for the holidays. He added that he hoped his political activism would someday rub off on daughters Alexia, 11, Isabella, 3, and Gia Zavala, 15 months.

“The tagline is that Democracy is not a spectator sport,” he notes.

“That’s what I would want, more than anything, my kids to take away. This country is about participation, activism, understanding the history of the country, understanding your place in that history, being involved and being a productive part of the American experience.”

The 39-year-old actor credits “good communication” for his happy marriage to wife Luciana, and says that parenthood has been eye-opening as well. He jokes,

“I never knew I could function this well with no sleep. That was a realization.”

Ben is dad to Violet Anne, turning 4 next week, and Seraphina Rose Elizabeth, 10 months, with wife Jennifer Garner.

Source: OK!

Seth Browarnik/Startraks

While her ex-husband Chris Robinson will soon be experiencing with a newborn once again when he welcomes his second child in early 2010, Kate Hudson says her days in the baby phase — at least with their son Ryder Russell — have officially ended. “He’s a boy, the baby has become a boy,” she concedes to Extra.

The moment of truth for the actress came when she noticed Ryder’s reluctance as she kissed her son goodbye each morning. “Now I get at 6, already, he’s like, ‘Mommm, stop!’ Kissing is a little…Kissing him in front of his [friends], he’s starting to be like, ‘Mommm…’” Kate laughs.

According to Kate, her son’s heart has even been captivated by another woman: none other than her Nine costar Penélope Cruz! “He goes, ‘I saw Penéolope in the lobby today.’ And I went, ‘Penéolope?’” she laughs in regards to her son’s mispronunciation.

“I would see him look at Penélope and you could see that he definitely recognized what a beautiful woman she is.”

However, at the end of the day, Ryder only has his mama in mind when it comes to quality catch-up time. “I think it’s the last fifteen minutes of the day before he goes to bed that’s the best time,” Kate admits.

“You talk about things and he will fight sleep so he’ll just come up with crazy stories and wants to talk about things he wants to do. That’s my favorite part.”

Source: EXTRA

– Anya

Jackson Lee/Splash News Online

About 50 guests came out over the weekend to celebrate Heidi Klum and Seal’s son Johan’s 3rd birthday at their Los Angeles-area home with a train-themed party.

The model and her musician husband dressed in overalls and conductor hats along with the rest of their brood, which includes daughter Leni, 5 ½; son Henry, 4; and newborn daughter Lou, six weeks.

“They really got into the spirit of the whole train theme,” says a source. “They always have so much fun together as a family.”

Guests were greeted at the house by red, blue, green and yellow balloons decorating the driveway, and once inside rode on a mini-choo-choo train in the backyard. A clown also entertained the kids.

Heidi, who gave birth to Lou six weeks ago, looked “fantastic,” according to the source — just as she did last week during her surprise trip down the runway at a Victoria’s Secret show in New York.

– Sara Hammel with reporting by Pernilla Cedenheim

Jordan Strauss/FilmMagic

As Robin Thicke gets ready to become a father, he can check one item off his to-do list: the baby’s name.

“We like Julian if it’s a boy and Isabella if it’s a girl,” he told PEOPLE Saturday while hosting at The Bank nightclub in Las Vegas.

Robin’s wife, Paula Patton, is due with their first child in May.

“My wife is good,” he said, “I’m just trying to make her as comfortable as possible and hopefully nature will take care of the rest and give us a healthy baby.”

Though this is his first, he’s gotten plenty of advice. “The best advice I’ve got was I’ve been told just to enjoy this moment and it’s the most special time in your life. It can seem stressful and worrisome, but it’s the best time and we’re excited.”

– Mark Gray

Byron Purvis/AdMedia

When she auditioned for a role opposite George Clooney in the new film Up In The Air, Vera Farmiga was four months pregnant, and by the time she was hired she was eight months along.

In a new interview with the Los Angeles Times, the 36-year-old actress — now mom to Fynn, 10 months — says that expectant motherhood was beneficial to the part in more ways than one.

Citing a certain “empowerment that birth brings,” Vera admits she was “feeling very womanly” when the film was made. “All of a sudden, I had breasts and they had purpose,” she notes before adding that there were drawbacks as well. Vera elaborates,

“On one hand, yes, in normal, non-hormonal circumstances, I would have an easier time clicking in to the character’s suave coolness, sensuality and confidence. Focus was difficult. When your milk comes in and you know your child is hungry, and you’re wearing a silk shirt and you’re staring at George Clooney doing his close-up, having to interrupt and say, ‘Hold that thought!’ And go do that.”

The scenario presented itself “many times,” Vera admits. “If you look at it again, you can probably see angles when I contort my bosom and my torso just to disguise what was really happening,” she explains.

Still, Vera says she harbors no regrets about the timing.

“Truly, I’ve never felt more womanly than at that time in my life. And that probably added to the performance in delicious ways.”

Fynn is Vera’s first child with husband Renn Hawkey. Up In The Air hits theaters December 4th.

Source: Los Angeles Times

– Missy

Courtesy Redbook

In the December issue of Redbook, Rachel Weisz opens up extensively about son Henry Chance, 3, and fiancé Darren Aronofsky.

Although the 39-year-old actress calls motherhood “delicious,” describes Henry as “scrumptious,” and proclaims she’s “never been happier,” she is refreshingly candid about the broad spectrum of emotions that follow the birth of a baby.

“I think one of the things that moms aren’t allowed to talk about enough to one another … is the times when you’re pulling your hair out at home with the kids,” she says.

“Those moments when everything is crashing in and you feel like you’re going to scream.”

Rachel suggests that moms “get together in regular groups” to talk openly about their feelings of frustration, without fear of being judged.

“It doesn’t make us less good or less human, just real,” she adds.

“I think there is sometimes too much pressure on us to be perfect moms, to be empathetic and loving all the time…Every woman needs a good girlfriend to be able to turn to and say, ‘I just can’t deal with it all today.’”

“Because even though children are the most precious things in the world, they are also set to test us. I think women are already stretched and pressured to be perfect, and it kind of drives me crazy.”

With that said, Rachel admits that her favorite moments of the day are still those spent with Henry.

On the day of the interview, mother and son enjoyed a pizza lunch together.

“We were sitting there and he said, ‘Mum, today I saw two people that were married,’” Rachel recalls. “And I said, ‘How did you know they were married?’ And he said, ‘Because the man had a hat on that was tied underneath his chin.’”

Noting that kids “come up with the most lovely and crazy things,” Rachel says that “it is so sweet and such a joy to watch them as they figure out the world.”

Click below to read about how Rachel unwinds, and why she makes time alone with Darren a priority.

Courtesy Redbook

Having a child has streamlined Rachel’s own approach to managing that world, one which is even more busy than usual as she appears in the London stage version of A Streetcar Named Desire and promotes her upcoming film The Lovely Bones.

“I find I can get a lot more done since I’ve had Henry,” she reveals.

“Suddenly, in 45 minutes, you can get twice as much done as you once did…I’ve become a lot more organized.”

She adds,

“And I’m a much happier person since I’ve had Henry, and much more balanced. I feel I have an ultimate purpose beyond anything else in my life.”

An admitted “worrier,” Rachel says she “thinks about things a lot” and will often talk through problems to set her mind at ease.

“Men don’t seem to need to do that like women do,” she notes. “I don’t know what men do with all of that [emotional stuff].”

To that end, Rachel says that when she is feeling overwhelmed she turns to yoga, a massage, a hot bath, or her girlfriends for help.

“My best friend who I grew up with in London is still here, and she has two sons,” Rachel notes. “To just be able to sit with her and laugh and catch up or watch my son play with her sons is the most beautiful experience to me. She and I have so much history together; we have our own shorthand, so we can get to the heart of everything in about one minute.”

Taking time out for herself is important to Rachel, and it’s something for which she makes no apologies.

“Some might think it’s self-indulgent, but it’s very important because once you’ve figured out how to chill, it makes you a better mom and a better wife.”

Taking time out for her relationship with Darren, on the other hand, is something Rachel jokingly describes as “a work in progress.” The couple recently spent a weekend alone in Maine and the separation from their son was tough. “All we did was talk about Henry,” Rachel admits. “I cried about how much I loved and missed him.”

By the end of the trip, however, Rachel says she could see why it was important to get time away.”It was great for us to be away together like that, and I was the one who suggested it,” she explains. “Even though it’s always hard to get away, I think it’s really important to do that as a parent.”

“You get perspective on things when you’re away from your child, and in a way, your love for them becomes even deeper. It’s also important for your partner, for him to know he’s still a priority. Children need to know that Mommy and Daddy are still in love with each other, and that everything is alive and well in that department.”

Whenever possible the couple travel — and make decisions — together as a family, based on “what is best for all of us,” Rachel says. Case in point? While in Malta last year working on her upcoming film Agora, Henry wasn’t yet in preschool, so he traveled with mom; Darren, by contrast, had just finished shooting The Wrestler and the family-of-three reunited overseas.

“He brought his editor to Malta, edited the film while I was working, and helped look after Henry,” Rachel recalls. “We all met every night for dinner and then put Henry to bed together.”

“We figured it out, and it took some planning, but so far we’ve been able to figure out the logistics of being together as a family. But definitely, the priorities change.”

In The Lovely Bones, Rachel portrays a mom grieving the loss of her murdered daughter. The subject matter was often dark, but Rachel says she didn’t bring any baggage home at the end of the day.

“I think the only way you can successfully be a mum and an actress is by not carrying around the burden of the character,” she explains. “Between the time the director says ‘Action’ and ‘Cut,’ it’s all true for me. But when I stop saying the lines, it’s not true anymore.” Motherhood has had an undeniable affect on how she approaches her job, however.

“It affects just about everything. I mean, your heart opens up so much more when you’re a mum, don’t you think? If there was any protection there, it’s gone….I think being a mum and having a child has completely grounded me. It’s amazing.”

It’s changed her in other ways, as well. Rachel says that Henry has taught her “to sing and joke more,” made her more patient, deepened her love for Darren — and even made her smarter!

To that end, Rachel jokes that Henry has “reinforced” for her how little she knows about science. “He recently asked me how a battery works, and I had absolutely no idea,” she admits. “I usually say, ‘Why don’t you ask your dad?’”

Acutely aware of how quickly time passes, Rachel adds,

“I love to cuddle him and kiss him, and I’m obsessed with his smell. I love to bury my face in his neck and just hold him and smell how delicious he is. I know in a few years he’s going to say, ‘Mommy, stop kissing me!’ So I’m making the most of it now.”

The Lovely Bones hits theaters December 11th.

Source: Redbook, December issue

– Missy

A.M. Parks/iPhoto

No magic wand for former spellcaster Melissa Joan Hart: The onetime star of Sabrina, the Teenage Witch has to rule over her real-life family with old-fashioned mom moves.

“It’s a crazy house right now,” she told PEOPLE at Wednesday’s Lupus L.A. Bag Ladies Luncheon in Beverly Hills.

The mom of sons Mason, 3 ½, and Brady, 20 months, said that — what with a big move and her recent spin on Dancing With the Stars — it’s been a wilder ride than Halloween on a broomstick.

“We just moved to the East Coast, and with the show, I had to come back here,” she said. “I’ve spent a total of five weeks back at home, so we’re still living out of boxes, but the boys are lovin’ it. They’ve made friends, they’re running around wild and having fun. Daddy’s a little frazzled, but everything else is good.”

As it is, though, Melissa and husband of six years Mark Wilkerson can’t even find time for date nights.

“We actually prefer date lunches,” she said. “Date nights, we’re always tired, and we figure if the kids are in bed then we’re just wasting our time, so we really like lunches. We get the nanny to come over and we go out to lunch and have a blast.”

The chore-juggling pair have only seen one movie this year, but their choice couldn’t be more fitting. Said Melissa, “Pretty much the only one I think I’ve seen is Couples Retreat.”

– Michael Y. Park with reporting by Nina Tyler