As father to two adoptive children, Hugh Jackman knows a thing or two about adoption. So it’s not surprising to see he’s one of the people in Madonna’s corner as she battles to adopt a second Malawian child.

“I challenge anyone who thinks you adopt a kid for a publicity stunt. Any parent knows that would have to be the most intensive publicity stunt in the world,” he told The Sun.

Hugh and wife Deborra-Lee Furness decided to adopt their son Oscar and daughter Ava after multiple miscarriages. But the couple insists adoption was always in the plan.

“We always planned on adopting anyway, even if we had our own biological children,” he explained. They’ve considered adding another to the mix, but don’t want to press their luck!

“Our first child was not the easiest of babies, which is why we left it five years before the second,” Hugh admits. “Our second was a dream baby.”

And there’s no denying that more children mean more work!

“Every time we get on a plane with our two kids and are all crammed in together, we think maybe we will leave it at what we have.”

Hugh is a harsh critic of the adoption laws in his native Australia, which he calls “too restrictive.” He says he understands why “checks need to be made,” but added that adoption officials “had a very negative approach.” This led them to looking abroad.

“It was like they were trying to discourage you,” he noted. “There are 130 million orphans in the world — who is looking after them?”

“If you are a citizen of the world, on some level they are all our responsibility. And if you have got parents who want to adopt and there are children who need a home, it seems like a no-brainer.”

I couldn’t agree more!

Image source: splashnewsonline.com

Madonna’s not about to give up her bid to adopt Malawian girl Mercy James without a fight. The pop star has launched a PR campaign designed to sway Malawian authorities.

She’s released photos through her record label taken during her recent stay in Malawi. They show Madonna in maternal mode with the three-year-old child clutched to her side.

To coincide with the photos, Madonna also released an e-motional e-mail sent to Malawi’s Nation newspaper.

“I want to provide Mercy with a home, a loving family environment and the best education and healthcare possible. It’s my hope she, like David, will one day return to Malawi and help the people of their country,” she wrote.

A judge recently rejected Madonna’s adoption bid as she did not meet the 18 to 24-month residency requirement. Only time will tell whether this latest charm offensive will change their mind!

Image source: splashnewsonline.com

Madonna may have adopted African-born David Banda Richie, but it’s important for the Material Mom that her three-year-old son stays “connected to his Malawian culture.”

“It is a big priority for me to educate my son about the world … He has a big map of Africa in his room with lots of arrows pointing to Malawi.”

While the pair regularly visit David’s African homeland, it appears Madonna might go one better and take back another little piece of it. Yes, Madonna is considering adopting another child from the African nation!

“Many people - especially our Malawian friends - say that David should have a Malawian brother or sister,” she said in reponse to a question in The Nation. “It’s something I have been considering, but would only do, if I had the support of the Malawian people and the Government.”

I don’t blame her. I can’t imagine going through all that red tape all over again!

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Christina Aguilera says she looks to fellow musical mom Madonna for inspiration when balancing her family life and her career.

“She’s a mom of three and still doing it, on tour. I’m having trouble gearing up for my tour just thinking about how it’s going to be for Max, but we’re a traveling family and that’s just the way it’s going to be.”

Max Liron is 11 months next week, and he could become a big brother sooner rather than later!

“We definitely want to have another child,” the singer told OK! magazine.

Max Liron is the first child for Christina and her husband Jordan Bratman.

It was business as usual for newly-divorced Madonna, who headed out to the Kabbalah Center in New York with her son David Banda yesterday.

Madonna gave adopted son David Banda a lift as they left The Kabbalah Center in New York on Saturday. She also attended the service with her other children Lourdes and Rocco. All this time spent in New York is adding some weight to the rumor Mads will relocate to the United States now she’s split with Guy Ritchie.

Madonna had her hands full outside New York’s Kabbalah Center on Wednesday. Only moms can manage to carry a hat, a cell phone, and their three-year-old! David Banda is so big now, he looks like he’s getting heavy!

Madonna left the New York Kabbalah Center with her children Lourdes and David Banda last night. Lourdes and her Material Mom walked hand in hand, while the nany carried little David Banda.

Carlos Leon, the father of Madonna’s daughter Lourdes, tends to stay out of the spotlight. But he recently spoke to People magazine about how he keeps the girl he calls “Lola” grounded.

“Look at me and the way I live: I ride my bicycle, I walk, I don’t have a driver,” he said. “That’s how I keep her grounded. Her mom does a good job too - she’s not that person that everyone thinks. She’s very laid back and cool.”

He said his bond with his daughter, who’s now 11, has grown over time.

“She’s at that point where she can call me and say, ‘Hey Dad, what’s up? What time are you going to get me?’ It’s really cool. We talk every day.”

The daddy-daughter pair enjoy sharing music, with both enjoying everything from Alicia Keys to Audioslave.

Just don’t expect Carlos to play the bad cop with his gorgeous girl.

“It’s hard for me to be the tough guy with my daughter. Maybe I should work on the discipline stuff, but I could leave her mother to do that!”

Image used with permission from www.splashnewsonline.com

Lourdes Leon looked every inch the star as she stepped out in New York recently. Madonna’s daughter visited Avanti Nails and Spa with a gal pal. I love her ruffled blouse, and that cool headband!

Image source: Christopher Peterson/Buzz Foto