Catherine Zeta-Jones on food, manners and if she'll let her kids act

The kids eat what the grown-ups eat. I'm very much like [my character] Kate about the fish sticks. I always cut the heads off [fish] and give it to them filleted, but no fish sticks.

Also a big no-no are bad manners. As she has previously stated, Catherine prides herself on teaching her children proper decorum.

We're both very big on manners. I get complimented on that, and it makes me very proud. I was brought up in a fairly disciplined environment, and it stands you in good stead, especially with spotlights on kids who come from families who are known. But at the end of the day, if it came down to it, we're strict in different ways. I would give in quicker than Michael. When he says no, he means no. When he makes a decision, that's it. Done.

As a hands-on parent - she and Michael always read to and tuck Dylan and Carys into bed - nothing is harder for the 37-year-old actress than leaving them behind for work.

It never gets any better. It's that initial thing of 'Bye, Mama.' It just kills me. I arrive in New York looking like a frog because it took me two hours into the flight to get it together.

Her kids do visit their parents on set. No Reservations director Scott Hicks recalled a humorous incident with Dylan when he mistakened Catherine's stand-in for his mom.

He said, 'There's Mummy!' And Michael said, 'No, that's Mummy's stand-in.' And Dylan said, 'Oh, you mean I can marry her?' It's so sweet. It's every boy's dream.

While she has dreamt of having three children, Catherine says she doesn't need or want that wish fulfilled anymore.

Healthy, gorgeous, one of each, I couldn't ask for more. I wanted three, and that equation has always been good. But Michael reminds me that I do have a stepson, Cameron [from Michael's marriage to Diandra Luker], so technically I have three.

Cameron, 28, has continued the Douglas family acting tradition and Catherine has no problems if Dylan and Carys do the same - when they're adults.

I've had a great life. I wouldn't let my children, as kids [be in movies], but when they're grown up, if they really want to do it, I can only say 'Go for it.' Look at what happened in my life.

Source: USA Today

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