LilSugar

Colin, Jude and Johnny Pay It Forward to Matilda Ledger

LilSugar — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 10:00:07 -0700

The lil girl who lost her daddy to a tragic death last year will benefit from the loving gift of three other fathers. Heath Ledger died of an accidental prescription drug overdose in January and his will had not been updated to include his two-year-old daughter. The late actor was in the midst of filming The Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus so three actors -Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell - stepped in to finish playing his role. Beyond making good on Heath's acting commitment, the men, who are all fathers, donated their salaries to the child.

Flynet and Bauer–Griffin and Source

Mini Me: Heath Ledger and Matilda

babysugar — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 08:00:48 -0700

Little Matilda Ledger is blessed with the charm and good looks of both her parents. But, on a recent jaunt in NYC, the resemblance between the lil lady and her late father was undeniable.

Michelle Williams will have more than photographs and films to remember her former fiancé, her daughter is definitely Heath's mini me with the daddy's brown eyes, bold nose, handsome chin and warm smile.

Children tend to evolve - taking turns cloning one parent and then the other. We hope Matilda will always carry a sparkle of her papa in her own sweet way.
INF and Source

Coping With the Loss of a Parent

LilSugar — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 12:00:43 -0800

While the jarring news of actor Heath Ledger's death shook the world, it left two-year-old daughter, Matilda Rose with one live parent.

Many children experience the loss of a parent so keeping the memory of mom or dad alive is important for the entire family.

Licensed psychotherapist, Sally Sacks, M.Ed says there are nine specific ways you can help your lil one cope. To see her list, read more.

She said:

Don't think that you need to go to a cemetery to express yourself to loved ones. If you teach spiritual development you are aware that the person doesn't live in the cemetery. They live in your heart and mind which are with you everywhere. You want to keep that memory alive by carrying out behaviors of the person.
Create a tangible reminder that you can see everyday. Keep their favorite item in your closet, or favorite picture in your room. Dedicate a sculpture or statue or flower arrangement in your house to them. Plant a tree in your yard for them, or a flower.
Take a balloon and attach letters to them and let it fly free to the universe.
Write to them in a special journal only for them and your private communication to them.
Wear something that they liked to school.
Order their favorite meal, or make their favorite cake on their birthday. You can even take a piece of cake and bottle of wine to the cemetery or their favorite place on their birthday. If you feel sad, let yourself be sad.
Always talk to children about their deceased loved one, reminding them of how they are like that parent or have such good qualities like them. If they are sad, disconnected or don't answer, that's ok; keep doing it.
Get help with yourself for the loss, and dealing with it if you are having trouble helping your children. If you don't get help for yourself you will not be able to help your children with the things that they need to do to keep their loved one's spirit alive.
Teach children to live consciously, day by day in the moment. Life is short and we don't want to miss connecting to anyone that we love, dead or alive.

Source

Daddy's Lil Girl

LilSugar — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 21:12:27 -0800

The world mourns the loss of the incredibly talented Heath Ledger, an actor who lit up the silver screen. But more than a movie star, the 28-year-old was father to daughter, Matilda Rose, 2. These sweet photographs portray a loving daddy and his lil girl. Our thoughts are with the child and her family during this difficult time.

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Tell Mommy: How Do You Encourage Your Child's Creativity?

LilSugar — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 07:00:15 -0800

Last night's Oscar acceptance speeches were filled with praise and adoration for encouraging and understanding parents. I was moved to tears when Heath Ledger won a posthumous Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role in The Dark Knight and his family accepted the award on behalf of darling daughter Matilda, but also touched by Original Score winner A. R. Rahman. The Slumdog Millionaire music man quoted a line from a Hindi film that says, "I have nothing, but I have a mother," which sent chills down my spine. Of course, it would be remiss to ignore first time winner and one of my favorite Oscar nominated parents, Kate Winslet, who solicited a loud whistle from her father and dedicated her award to her children.

It is ever clear that parents play a critical role in supporting and fostering a love of the arts in their children. How do you encourage yours to be creative and express their artistic and musical talents?

Do You Have a Will?

babysugar — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 09:00:06 -0700

Entering parenthood means acknowledging mortality.

Prior to having children most people don't give a will much thought, but when wee ones make their debut it's important that the parents plan guardianship and allocation of their assets. Otherwise, family battles and courtroom drama can ensue.

Surprisingly, Heath Ledger did not update his will after having daughter, Matilda with former fiancee, Michelle Williams. Luckily, People reports that the deceased actor's dad Kim Ledger said,

Matilda is our absolute priority and Michelle is an integral part of our family. They will be taken care of and that's how Heath would want it to be.

Have you detailed your wishes in a will?

Source

Michelle Williams Is Just a Mother Raising Her Child

LilSugar — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 08:30:00 -0800

Celebmama Michelle Williams is just another woman raising a child. But in addition to all the worries that most parents have, the actress is stalked by the paparazzi. In a recent and raw Newsweek interview, the 28-year-old actress expressed her feelings about those behind the lens. She said:

"It burns a fire inside of me, the s––– that I've seen people do to get at me or my daughter," she says. "I won't forget it, and I won't support it. I don't want my daughter growing up feeling spied on or threatened."

After the death of Michelle's former fiancé, actor Heath Ledger, it seems the interest in their now three-year-old has only increased. The article continued:

She can't understand how many more pictures people need of her holding a coffee cup in one hand and Matilda in the other. Williams is especially enraged at female photographers, because she thinks women should be protective of mothers. She tried to give a particularly aggressive paparazzo career advice recently. "I said, 'You're better than this. Look at you! You're young, you're able-bodied, you have a brightness in your eyes. You're above this.' But you know what? She didn't go away."

Williams continued to say that she might quit acting to get her privacy back.

Bauer-Griffin