7 Pieces of Celebrity Parenting Advice I’d Actually Take

There is no dearth of celebrities doling out terrible parenting advice, like Bethenny Frankel, who once repeated everyones least favorite pieces of mom fiction: “Sleep while the baby’s sleeping!”

Then there’s this pretty awful revelation from Brandy Norwood: “A lot of mothers feel like they’re the mom first, with that authority. But for me, I’m a friend first. I believe that just being there for my daughter as a friend more than ‘I’m in charge …’ causes her to be more open with me as a person.”

As for Gwyneth Paltrow’s statement that,“My children only watch television in French or Spanish,” that’s fine, but when they turn it off shortly thereafter because it’s in French or Spanish, do you suppose she makes herself available to play with them or is a hired hand charged with their entertainment?

As it turns out, though, not all celebrities who are also parents dole out less-than-useful advice. Few people think celebrities are or should be role models for kids, but for these well-known dads and moms, these quotes are proof that they actually have the chops to inspire their less-famous brethren:

Jerry Seinfeld

How the very wealthy raise their kids to not be entitled is not a problem that I have. However, that doesn’t mean my kids don’t still act as if they have an official license to ask for and receive everything that strikes their fancy at any given moment. That’s why this nugget from the stand-up legend has been permanently etched into my Mom Handbook.

Will Smith

One of my most-used lines as a mom is borrowed from box office superstar Will Smith. When my older daughter says she doesn’t want to clean her room, and she shouldn’t have to because it’s her room, I repeat after Will Smith.

Kelly Ripa

Maybe on some level they have a lot in common, but Kelly Ripa and Brandy Norwood prove to be far apart in at least one regard: How they approach their relationship with their daughters. Kelly is most decidedly not.

Bridget Moynahan

There’s good advice, advice that’s good in theory, and then there’s just practical advice. Bridget Moynahan may or may not have enough mom-tricks up her sleeve to write an entire book, but sometimes, this is all you need.

Kendra Wilkinson

You wouldn’t necessarily think that a parent who became famous showing off her bare assets (not to mention showcasing her tabloid-ready marital strife on TV) would make for the best mother. And yet when the former Girl Next Door was asked to give some advice to new moms, her answer made it seem as if maybe Hollywood hasn’t taken over her brain completely.

Nicolle Wallace

This gem from The View co-host isn’t so much advice as it is what so many moms fantasize about saying to all the not-so-well-meaning people around them who just have to put in their two cents on your screaming kid and, by extension, parenting style.

Sheryl Crow

It’s a lovely idea to think that our kids will eat healthy foods simply because we explain gently to them why it’s so important for their bodies to be fed with vitamins and other essential nutrients. Then you actually sit down at the table with your kids and realize the roasted chicken and broccoli will not go quietly into their mouth. 

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