by Sara McGinnis posted in Parenting

By definition Charlize Theron is a single mom of two children, but in practice she's part of a co-parenting team that includes her own mother.
"I knew that I would have to have my mom help me if I was going to do this as a single parent," the 42-year-old actress, who adopted children in 2012 and 2015, recently explained to Elle magazine. "To not acknowledge her in co-parenting my children would be a lie."
Charlize recalls her mother (whom she's pictured here with at the 2014 Oscars) "has jokingly said, 'Being a grandparent is what I was born to do.' I was like, 'Yo, bitch! What about me" Was it not to raise me" I'm your kid!' But I'm so lucky to have that. I would feel pretty alone if I didn't have a partner in crime in all of this."
Today Charlize Theron is comfortable asking for and receiving help when it comes to 6-year-old Jackson and 2-year-old August, but she didn't always feel that way.
"In the beginning, I wanted to do it all and didn't reach out for as much help as I actually needed. I felt, 'If I don't do all of this, then maybe I am a bad parent,'" the Tully actress went on to share.
"The second time, I realized I am happier and my kids are happier if I ask for more help. People think I have a staff of 40, but I don't. I have one nanny and my mom up the street and amazing friends and family. I call them my village. But I've learned to balance things out more. I look ...