Tori Spelling's Rocking Bikini Body

Are only skinny women allowed to rock a bikini? If you ask Tori Spelling, she’d be quick to say no!

“Spoiler Alert: Yep! I’m wearing my BUMP PROUD again in a bikini so if you don’t want to look then leave my site now!” said Tori Spelling on her website according to ABC News.

Not surprisingly, a lot of Spelling’s fans had an issue with her showing off her baby bump in a bikini.

“Too much showing. Not suitable for a pregnant mom with a seven-month-old.”

“Ewww. She’s pregnant! Cover that bump up! No one wants to see that!!”

I’m really fumoxed as why people have a problem with a woman exposing her pregnant belly to the world. There’s no reason why a pregnant belly needs to be hidden.

From experience I know that when I’m pregnant I feel more comfortable in a bikini rather than having some horrible spandex stretched across my expanding middle. I also feel freer of bikini body issues when pregnant because I don’t judge myself so harshly as when I’m not pregnant but just soft around the middle.

Lay off Tori (and all the other pregnant ladies and less than perfect-bodied amongst us) and let her rock her beautiful belly as she pleases.

How does Octomom, Nadya Suleman, fare as an actress and mom?

Orange County News blogger Josh Dulaney covers how others really feel about Octomom in Porn Stars Review Octomom's New Film, andHer Parenting Skills.

It seems porn star Amber Peach felt the need to weigh in on not only Nadya Suleman’s porn acting abilities in her new masturbation film from Wicked Pictures, but her mothering skills, too.

"This is a woman who had children she knew she couldn't take care of, not by accidentally getting pregnant, but on purpose, and people's issue is that she did a porn. There are many porn people who are also great parents. People are acting like her doing porn is what makes her a bad parent, saying things like, 'What are your kids going to think of you when they get older and find out?' My question is, 'What are those kids going to think of her when they get old enough to realize she had them with no way to take care of them either because she hoped to get a reality show or because she's...crazy, or both?'"

Amber Peach makes a great point when she explains that there are lots of porn actresses who are great mothers. There’s no reason why one’s occupation should have anything to do with other areas of one’s life.

Dulaney also quotes porn star Paige Little on the aftermath of working in the adult entertainment business: "Eventually the job offers and money will not be there," she said. "You will be left with needing to justify to yourself why you chose that path and be able to live with it. The porn industry is littered with the shattered lives of those who could not."

I think this is the biggest struggle for people who have chosen to work in the adult industry. We must find ways to integrate our pasts into our present lives without guilt. I hope that Suleman will be able to move forward with joy and faith in herself no matter what she chooses to do.

Madonna Shows Us What Celebrity Moms are Good At

You just can’t keep clothes on Madonna! Leave it to her to create a stir over clothing.

According to MSNBC, Madonna moons audience at Rome concert after she flashed a nipple last week in Istanbul.

The pop star’s wardrobe non-malfunctions both occurred during her song "Human Nature."

Of course there are outraged people all over the place. But not so much for the fact she exposed herself—more because of her age. How dare a 53-year-old woman and mom of four subject people to seeing that?

The icon was criticized in some corners for showing her breast in Istanbul last week during the striptease routine. "What works for a 22-year-old woman or a man is not appropriate, very often, for a 53-year-old," Donny Deutsch complained on TODAY recently. At his, Dr. Nancy Snyderman sniffed. "Not special," she said. "Not a special breast, not worth doing."

I’m kind of hoping that these comments may push Madonna to strip it all off completely!

I find it much more fascinating and provoking to have an aging pop legend stripping down to show us our prejudices and preconceived notions about what kind of female nudity is acceptable in our society.

An open letter to Ms. Polizzi, AKA the “Snooki”

Dear Ms. Snooki:

I have never seen your television show, which I understand paints a picture of certain Jersey locales and characters. I have read about your pregnancy and your embracing of your new role as mother.

I’ll admit when I saw your quote in Us magazine in reference to breastfeeding I wanted to reassure you that there’s nothing to be frightened of: "I'm just scared. My friend did and she said it was so painful…but I definitely want to pump because it's the best nutrients for the baby."

While it’s true that some new mothers experience some pain, many mothers have no problems at all. I would urge you to not take just one opinion into consideration.

And regarding pumping, I can definitely say there were times when all I felt like was a walking milk machine. If I remember correctly, there may even have been times when I walked through the house singing: Choo, choo! Here comes the milk train! Pulling into station! Toot! Toot!

And while some people may take offense at your statement: "It's kind of like you're a cow and you're just milking," I have to admit pumping really is like that when you kind of strip the whole act of any beautifying.

It’s hard to really feel all adoring and loving as you hook a plastic suction cup to your aching, hard, milk-filled breasts and slide the plastic pieces up and down until your arms ache.

And that’s not even to mention the leaking milk that comes out just about any time you hear a crying baby or the pain of clogged milk ducts that can turn into infections.

But all of this fun stuff is almost behind me as my oldest baby is 20-moths-old and only nursing once in a while and my milk supply is greatly diminished. Of course, now my breasts do sag a bit and have an entirely deflated, pancakey look to them, but…wait.

There are also the amazing experiences I had with my three children. The closeness and the intimacy that were created through those years of providing of my body for their nourishment and comfort.

The sweet moments of looking down at the fuzzy little head cradled in the nest of the inside of my elbow. The visions of sweet napping dreams while my baby’s lips continued to suckle in sleep long after my breast had fallen away from their grasp. The warmth and precious feeling of their weight pressed against me in absolute trust and love—even before they understand the meaning of words. The sweet smell of the sweaty cheek buried against my body. The quick and complete cessation of their worried cried when they thankfully find themselves tucked against me.

Home again. Safe again. Folded into my body. One again for just a little bit longer.

Nadya Suleman to Strip

TMZ and every other celebrity website today are reporting on Nadya Suleman’s upcoming stripper performances. Octomom will be performing at T's Lounge in West Palm Beach, FL, from July 11-15.

While most headlines are all touting Octomom’s becoming a stripper now, it’s not really like that. She’ll be doing two shows a night for less than a week. I don’t think that really makes one a stripper. She’s obviously just stripping for promotional reasons for her porn movie. I don’t think we should expect to see her doing this as a new steady gig.

At this point in Suleman’s life, I can only hope that she does indeed feel good about what she is doing. If she feels confident and is having fun with her new image, then power to her. There is nothing wrong with her choice if she has come to terms with her own self and choices and feels empowered by the role she is playing.

I hope that she will find everything she is looking for and not let the naysayers get her down.

Different Celebrity Mom Styles of Being

It’s so interesting to see the different “accepted” celebrity mom “selves” to wear in the world.

Today, reports from Us Magazine show us two current celebrity mom “styles.”

There’s the been-there-done-that and just-like-normal-moms self that Charlize Theron is rocking when she says "A lot of people have sent me these children's books, and there's this amazing book, a best-seller called Go the F-ck to Sleep," she said. "This book was good for me because it made me realize that I don't need to judge myself right now."

Yes, even Theron knows the anguish of trying to get a crying baby to sleep.

Switching mommy styles, we see the always lovable and sparkly I’m-going-to-make-this-baby-girl-a-princess stance.

Kourtney Kardashian’s baby shower was a sea of pink—we’re talking flamingos and cotton candy pink!

And trying to define the baby girl before she’s even born is sister Khloe: "I have bought Kourt's daughter so many tutus. All I want to do is dip my niece in glitter and put a tutu on her!"

With an aunt like that, how could things go wrong?

How do Celebrity Moms Feel About Gay Comic Book Characters?

I am very open-minded and liberal and have no problems with what anyone chooses for their own lives as long as it does no harm to others.

But I still felt unsure where I stood on introducing gay characters into comics when I first read Perez Hilton's report on the issue in his blog entry: One Million (Annoying) Moms Are Against Gay Superheroes. Hilton thinks these mothers are “incredibly angry women.”

“After threatening to boycott JCPenney for hiring Ellen DeGeneres as its spokesperson and then going after our main man Archie for its depiction of a gay interracial wedding, the group of are out for more blood.

When Marvel revealed its first openly gay superhero - Northstar - was marrying his long time boyfriend in the next issue, the super pissy moms wrote an open letter to anyone who would listen.

Here's what they said:

"As a parent and a member of OneMillionMoms.com, I am extremely disappointed that you would use a children's superhero character to help endorse same-sex marriage and glorify the homosexual lifestyle. It is disgusting that your company would participate in introducing sexual orientation to children when they are not equipped to understand what sexual preferences involve. Unfortunately, children are now being exposed to same-sex marriage and the gay lifestyle choice in your comic books. Gay adults do not need superheroes as role models. Your company is damaging impressionable young minds by placing these gay characters on pedestals in a positive light. As a Christian, I know that homosexuality is a sin. The Bible states this clearly in Romans 1:26-27. A comic book is the last place a parent would expect to be confronted with questions from their children on topics that are too complicated for them to understand. Issues of this nature are being introduced too early and too soon, which is extremely unnecessary. Please do the right thing and reverse your decision to have sexual orientation displayed to young readers. My decision to support your company and parent company depends on it. I look forward to hearing from you regarding my concern."

I was thinking that it’s true that sexual orientation is not something my kids are aware of yet, but then I realized that that isn’t true.

My children see representations of heterosexual couples all the time. That is a norm that they are raised with. My daughter who is eight is old enough to understand issues I point out sometimes like, “Oh, you know so-and-so has two moms.” Or sometimes I’ll find ways to bring up, “There’s no problem with whom people choose to have a relationship with. Usually we see a mom and a dad, but there can be two dads, etc.”

And my daughter just is like, okay. Whatever. And that has been my method of introducing concepts she can understand.

I suppose if my children saw more of a “romance” of two men in a comic book it would raise some questions, but I don’t think that would be a bad thing. It would be a teaching opportunity.

But of course, that is because I myself am fine with homosexuality. I can see how people who believe homosexuality is a “sin” would not see this as a teaching moment.

I am curious if any celebrity moms may speak out on the issue.

How do you feel about gay characters in comics as a mother?

Sarah Burge's Anderson Cooper Interview

Why couldn’t I have been on this Anderson Cooper show?!

Anderson Cooper cut an interview short with 'Human Barbie' Sarah Burge, who I’ve written about before.

Cooper explains that he doesn’t like to be rude to guests, but he felt Burge just wasn’t trying to have an honest conversation about her behaviors, which include giving her seven-year-old daughter cosmetic surgery vouchers, encouraging her to dance on a stripper pole, and giving her older daughter Botox to stop her from sweating on her forehead.

These are the mothers that the world pays attention to and that’s why she gets onto talk shows in the first place.

What if we mothers demanded to see inspiring mothers, women who have overcome obstacles and come out on the other side to help others, in the media?

Moms Posing Nude

People reports: Jenny McCarthy Speaks Out About Posing Nude at Age 39.

Bravo for McCarthy being brave enough to strip down after having a child. The last time she posed for Playboy was nineteen years ago.

"Why should only 20 yr olds be considered sexy?" McCarthy says. "Let's (hear) it for the MILFs."

I think it’s great to celebrate women’s bodies of all ages and sizes. I have a feeling though that McCarthy’s body will be quite perfect looking in the “accustomed” way.

What I’d like to really see are some mothers posing nude who don’t have perfect bodies. Some “real” Mommy bodies with wrinkly bellies and stretch marks. You know what? Those bodies can be sexy, too…

Snookie's Got the Parenting Skills!

Thank you Today Moms for bringing us Lela Davidson’s fun take on celebrity pregnancy: 5 reasons Snooki will be a great mother.

Instead of joining in on all the Snooki-as-mom bashing, Davidson explains why Polizzi may be a great mom with points like how she’s already used to being sprayed by vomit during her wilder days. And multitasking? Polizzi’s got it down!

My favorite point made by Davidson though has to be about questioning ourselves and what we would come across like if we’d had our early twenties filmed by a reality television crew.

Goodness. Not many of us would ever have been deemed fit enough to bear human life.

What Makes a Good Reality TV Family?

Celebrity Baby Scoop brings us the unexpected celebrity mom news of, wait for it…good news!

Former reality television star Kate Gosselin reports that things are going well between her and her ex-husband Jon and that the kids notice it and are so happy.

Gosselin also says that the kids are missing the whole TV thing and that the family might have some projects up their many sleeves.

It just makes me think more about families and reality television. What makes one family more interesting to watch than another? Just having a large brood does not make a necessarily interesting family.

"We're hoping to move forward and do more projects," she reveals. "Fans are begging [to see more]. 'They've grown up, they turned eight. What are you doing [now]?'"

"Everyone is excelling school across the board," the proud mom gushes. "We've had a great school year."

I’d like to see some reality television show all about different families and how they live. We could probably learn a lot about parenting by watching an overview of different parenting styles.

Attachment Parenting Dialogue

Celebrity moms are weighing in on attachment parenting after Time magazine’s controversial breastfeeding photo cover.

Us magazine reports that Alanis Morisette appeared on The Billy Bush Show and said, "I'll breastfeed and I'll be breastfeeding until my son is finished and he weans. I think it affords the child, when he grows up, to have a lot less therapy to go to. For me, I protect his safety and his well-being and his attachment. That stage of development is a very important stage."

So the Time cover has definitely opened up the conversation amongst mothers, but is it just about moms getting their opinions on the matter out without working toward an open dialogue?

"Time, no! You missed the mark! You're supposed to be making it easier for breastfeeding moms," Alyssa Milano tweeted. "Your cover is exploitive & extreme."

I’m interested in how this cover can be seen as exploitive and for whom? Perhaps for the boy who really has no conscious choice in whether he wants to be always remembered as the toddler nursing for America?

Is the cover helpful in any other ways? Do nursing moms feel more comfortable now nursing their toddlers?

How Dare Aishwarya Rai Not Lose Weight Fast Enough for Her Fans?

I never thought I would say that I would take the American media coverage over another country’s, but I am now.

Aishwarya Rai is a famous Bollywood actress and a former Miss World considered by many in India as being the most beautiful woman in the world. Well, until she gave birth that is.

Rai gave birth a mere six-months ago, but apparently she should have snapped back into shape already. It’s her duty as a beautiful person.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald a commenter said, "She is a Bollywood actress and it is her duty to look good and fit.”

Another added: "She needs to learn from people like Victoria Beckham who are back to size zero weeks after their delivery."

It seems that in India there are very strong opinions about the roles women should play and how they should look.

"There is a glorification of motherhood in India and Indian cinema," said cinema professor Shohini Ghosh. "But people are confused because they don't know whether to glorify Aishwarya in her new motherhood or lament that she is not looking like a runway model."

This seems to be an issue that many people are confused by when they don’t look at women as people but rather as vessels to carry out certain roles in society that fulfill their needs.

It is not a woman’s responsibility to look a certain way to please others. Until we all get that sunk into our brains in a very deep way we will be battling this issue.

How do we reach people trapped in an old world mentality that who we are as people is what matters, not what we look like?

Jessica Alba Feels Like One Sexy Mom

iVillage’s CelebVillage reports: Jessica Alba: I Feel Sexier Since Becoming a Mom.

Alba writes on her blog that motherhood makes her “feel more confident and secure than I ever did in my 20s.” 

I find her thoughts to be extremely empowering and so motivating. She expresses the feelings I long to truly have about my self. I don’t think I’m quite there yet though.

“It’s really amazing how your perspective shifts and your definition of sexy evolves once you become a mother. Before having Honor and Haven, I was super-critical of my looks and worried more about inevitable changes to my body. I couldn’t even say the word “sexy” to describe myself without feeling funny and awkward.

But becoming a mom has definitely made me feel more confident and secure than I ever did in my 20s. Even though I can’t ever get down to my pre-baby weight before having Honor, my jeans don’t zip up the same way, and things just hang differently (all moms know how that goes!), I feel completely comfortable in my skin and my idea of perfection has changed. I don’t really care about my body image anymore because it just doesn’t matter now that I have children. Instead, I focus on my health, feeling strong, and making sure I’m up and running so I can spend that all-important time with the girls.

Having babies also helped me embrace my sexuality. Up until then, I was quite shy about it. But once I experienced how incredible and amazing it was to create a life, it was empowering. Now, I feel freer to express myself and just be me. Through motherhood I really came into my own and, for me, feeling sexy is all about this type of comfort, confidence, and true happiness.”

I can definitely agree that I feel much better about my body image since becoming a mother. I do feel better about how I look regardless of how I actually look.

I love the idea of allowing “having babies” to be used to “embrace” our sexual selves. For me, it has been more of a struggle of seeing myself as sexy and really feeling it now that my biggest role is mother.

I’m often so overwhelmed and tired that I don’t have time to feel sexy. I’ve got to try focusing on the whole empowerment-of-birth angle and see what happens!

Jessica Simpson to Launch Maternity Line...What Will YOU Do?

New celebrity moms are busy falling in love with their newborns and planning their next dynasty!

Jessica Simpson just gave birth to her daughter Maxwell Drew and will already be delving into the world of maternity fashion this fall according to Us magazine.

"I'm so excited to partner with Destination Maternity to design a collection of fashionable styles that make you look and feel great!" Simpson said in a statement released Monday. "You want to wear clothes that are flattering to your baby bump; you want to show your bump off."

Set to launch this fall, Jessica Simpson Maternity will be sold across the nation at Motherhood Maternity, Destination Maternity and Macy's. The pieces, which will include vintage-print tops, form-fitting jersey knit dresses and chunky realized sweaters, will start at $36.

It’s really amazing the opportunities a celebrity mom can have open to her with each new interest in her life. Having a baby? Ah! The need for beautiful maternity wear. Gained weight? Ah! The chance to endorse a weight loss program.

How awesome would it be if everyday women could get an idea for creating something new and cool and just be able to start it up just like that?

Perhaps we can. Yes, it won’t be so easy for us to reach the masses, but we can always start on a small scale.

Anything you’ve been dying to do and introduce to the world? How can you make it happen now, Mom?! What would you do if you knew you could not fail?