Sarah Jessica Parker discusses James Wilkie in PARADE

Click below for the highlights.

On James Wilkie's wardrobe (yes, she still barely buys anything new):

He only wears hand-me-downs because I’ve got all these older nephews. That’s the God’s honest truth. Plus, my mother saved all my brothers’ clothes. I am not kidding. I don’t think I’ve ever bought him any clothes. Maybe a new winter coat. I do buy him shoes, because everybody’s feet are different.

On growing up near the poverty line:

I was really lucky. I think that if I had been raised a child of privilege, I wouldn’t be the working person I am today. I have a great appreciation for work. I think it’s incumbent on my husband and me to really stress and to show James Wilkie by example what it means to owe your community something and that he is not entitled to the benefits of our hard work.

That doesn’t mean that I’m withholding or keeping from him the joys of childhood. I’m not Joan Crawford. But I also don’t want him to think the world he lives in is the real world. It’s not.

On who is the stricter parent -- Sarah Jessica or Matthew?:

I am. Does it surprise anybody that I would be? It’s not that Matthew spoils him, but he just has a different way of parenting than I do. I was never spoiled. Oh, dear no. I was the baby of the family only for a wee time, and I was lucky to get any attention, let alone be spoiled.

A few years ago, I found all our baby books. My two older brothers’ baby books were filled with pictures. Then we found mine, and it only had my name written in it. There was nothing else in there. Not one picture. So there you have it. I’ve been starved for attention ever since.

On caring for James Wilkie:

I’m his primary caregiver. I put him to bed every night. I get him dressed. I’m the one who gives him his toothbrush. I take him to school every morning. He’s very small, but his personality is 6 feet 4. I’m spending the whole summer with him out at our beach house.

On the wide-range of religion their son has been exposed to (Sarah Jessica and Matthew consider themselves cultural Jews):

Well, your worldview is one of a Jew. You feel persecuted. (laughs ironically) And you certainly recognize persecution when it’s happening to others. You have a lot of empathy. It’s bagels. It’s whitefish salad. But we also have a babysitter who is a devout, devout Catholic from Brazil, and she’s had some influence on [James] as well. She says prayers with him. I say prayers with him too every night.

Oh, heavens. He'll probably end up a Unitarian. I go to an Episcopal church on Easter to hear the music. I think that’s rather glorious. Matthew’s sister is an Episcopal priest. And his other sister is a shrink. So James Wilkie’s got it covered on that side of the family!

Source: PARADE; Cover image courtesy PARADE.

See exclusive web photos of Sarah Jessica here.