We all have our own ways of making our family set up work. And whether you choose to do the parenting thing solo or your relationship just didn’t work out, as a single mum there can be a few different issues to deal with. But there are plenty of wins, as these celebrities show.
Celebrity Mums Doing Great At The Single Parent Thing
Miranda Kerr
The Victoria’s Secret model separated from actor husband Orlando Bloom in October 2013. The pair have stayed close to raise son Flynn, with an official statement revealing, ‘Despite this being the end of their marriage, they love, support and respect each other as both parents of their son and as family.’ Image: Corbis
Gwyneth Paltrow
Coining the term ‘Conscious Uncoupling’ to announce her split from Coldplay frontman Chris Martin in March 2014, mum of two Gwyneth wrote ‘We are, however, and always will be a family, and in many ways we are closer than we have ever been.’ Image: Corbis
Sandra Bullock
After divorcing husband Jesse James following reports of his adultery, the Gravity actress continued the adoption process begun by the couple and is now a mum to toddler Louis. ‘If [a relationship] should come along, great. But I feel like I'm not missing anything yet,’ she recently told a US magazine. ‘Maybe one day I will. But my son is three years old, which is an amazing age. Four is an even better age. So if something happens, great, but if not, I've got plenty to do.’
Image: Corbis
January Jones
Actress January is mum to two-year-old Xander, and has never revealed his dad’s identity in the media. ‘I knew I would be raising my son alone,’ she told Net-A-Porter's The Edit magazine. ‘It was something I went in to knowingly, I was prepared mentally – and I was excited about it.’ Image: Corbis
Minnie Driver
Minnie gave birth to her son, Henry, in 2008 and only revealed in 2012 that his father was a writer on her TV show, The Riches.
Image: Corbis
Charlize Theron
She’s dating actor Sean Penn now, but Charlize adopted her son Jackson after splitting from long-term boyfriend Stuart Townsend. She told Ellen DeGeneres on her show that she has two boys helping her out, though – her dogs. 'From the moment this baby came into our home, those two dogs have never been more in love. It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever witnessed.’
Image: Corbis
Sheryl Crow
Country singer Sheryl adopted her two boys Wyatt and Levi as a single parent, and told an interviewer for The Telegraph: ‘But it’s interesting dating and having boys. ’Cause there’s a quick weed-out! It takes a lot to get to that second date! That said, whoever does step into our life is going to get two amazing boys with no baggage! There’s no dad, there’s no ex-husband. It’s just a clean-slate.’ Image: Corbis
Diane Keaton
The Annie Hall actress adopted her teenagers Dexter and Duke, the first when she was 50. ‘When I think what my mother did; she gave me this gift. I really, really should give it my all for somebody who doesn't have a mother who's going to take care of them. And it won't be perfect, because of course it's not,’ she told The Guardian earlier this year. Image: Corbis
Michelle Williams
Michelle gave birth to her daughter Matilda with actor Heath Ledger in 2005 with the couple splitting in 2007. After Heath’s death in 2008, Michelle’s said on being a single parent, ‘You make it work. You keep getting out of bed. Sometimes it’s just because you know there’s a cup of coffee downstairs.’ Image: Corbis
Kristin Davis
Just like her character Charlotte in Sex And The City, Kristin adopted her daughter Gemma in 2011. And as for dating? ‘It has to be someone so awesome that I would bring him in and potentially share time with Gemma,’ she said in a recent interview. ‘Now I have a baby and I have to put her first and think about what she needs, and stability is a huge, huge part of that.’ Image: Corbis
Katie Holmes
Formerly part of one of Hollywood’s power couples, Katie split from husband Tom Cruise in 2012. Katie’s often seen around NYC with their eight-year-old daughter Suri, with the actress telling a US magazine ‘New York has been very good to both of us’. Image: Corbis
Sadie Frost
While her marriage to actor Jude Law ended in 2003, fashion designer Sadie has stayed close to her former husband for their three children. ‘Me and Jude parent together,’ she told The Mirror earlier this year. ‘That’s what’s important. You make your decisions together... a man and a woman who are not together can still get on.’ Image: Corbis
Kimberly Stewart
Rod Stewart’s daughter is a single parent to daughter Delilah, whose dad is actor Benicio Del Toro. The pair were never a couple but he’s reportedly very involved in Delilah’s upbringing. Image: Corbis
Chantelle Houghton
Mum of one Chantelle had a daughter, Dolly, with ex Alex Reid, and even set up a dating website for single parents last year. Image: Rex
Katie Price
The businesswoman and former glamour model separated from husband Peter Andre in 2009. The pair share custody of their children. Image: Corbis
Stacey Solomon
Stacey was a single mum to son Zach when she came third in The X Factor. She had a second son, Leighton, with fiancé Aaron, but sadly the pair split earlier this year. In a statement, the singer’s rep said, ‘Her priority is her two children. She thanks her fans for their support at this time.’ Image: Corbis
Myleene Klass
Mum of two Myleene credits her own dad for helping her get through her own marriage ending. ‘There’ve been times when I’ve just cried and asked him what on earth I do now, and his reply is always, “You pick a course and you hold your nerve and you go on,’ she told The Daily Mail. ‘”You’re the captain of your own ship. You sort your girls out. You steer them out of this.”’ Image: Corbis
Connie Britton
Nashville’s front woman was single when she adopted her three-year-old son Yoby, then nine months old, from Ethiopia. Image: Corbis
Elen Rivas
The former partner of footballer Frank Lampard has two children with him, and has revealed her best advice for fellow single parents is to ‘Surround yourself with loved ones and friends you can trust’. Image: Rex
Christina Aguilera
Christina filed for divorce from the father of her son Max, now six, in 2010. The singer is currently pregnant with fiancé and production assistant Matthew Rutler. Image: Rex
Jourdan Dunn
The supermodel and new face of Maybelline has a son Riley, four. She separated from his father not long after he was born, and her mum helps care for him. Image: Rex
Uma Thurman
The actress, a mum of three, recently called off her engagement to Arpad Busson, the father of her daughter Luna. Her other two children are with ex husband Ethan Hawke. Looking to start dating again? Welcome to new site Mother&Baby Dating.