How Maria, Arnold's Kids Are "Banding Together" to Support Mom
Credit: FAME PICTURES
Three days after Arnold Schwarzenegger admitted he fathered a child with a household staffer, his four children are rallying around their mom, Maria Shriver, as she comes to terms with the shocking news.
PHOTOS: Maria hangs with Oprah Winfrey hours after news broke
"The kids are all banding together to support their mom right now and they're doing their best to stay out of the spotlight," a Schwarzenegger family source tells Us Weekly of Katherine, 21, and Christina, 19, Patrick, 17, and Christopher, 13.
While the former California governor's wife of 25 years struggles to maintain a brave face, her kids seek comfort in oldest sibling Katherine, who frequently acted as a "second parent" while Schwarzenegger was away on the campaign trail.
PHOTOS: Famous political families
"Katherine is really upset about this and how her mom is right now," the family source adds. "It's tense because the kids need a sounding board just as much as Maria does but it's difficult to go to their mom for questions in a time like this. Everyone feels really betrayed and embarrassed that it's out in the open. Not for their dad's sake but for Maria."
Older brother Patrick admitted on Tuesday that he was suffering from his family drama. "Some days you feel like sh--, some days you want to quit and just be normal for a bit, yet I love my family till death do us apart," he Tweeted.
VIDEO: A look back at Arnold and Maria's marriage
"You have no idea how humiliating this is for her," one Shriver pal told Us when news broke of Schwarzenegger's fifth child, a boy who may have been born within weeks of Christopher. (The boy's mother is said to be the family's former housekeeper/assistant Mildred Patricia Baena.)
"[Maria] spent a lot of time ... defending Arnold's character...She had no idea about the child," says the pal.
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17i think arnold is a jerk! not only do i feel bad for maria and the kids, i also feel bad for the other child he fathered with the hired help.
@Judy: I beg to differ. NOT all men cheat at one time or another! There are some men **cough, my hubby, cough** who are actually devoted to their wives and could care less about other women.
All men cheat, at one time or another.
@Hollyanne: I read an article somewhere, I believe Huffington Post that Maria suspected the child was Arnold's and decided to confront Mildred about it and she confessed to her that the child was his. This is why she resigned (was not fired) in January. Obviously, soon after that Maria confronted Arnold who confessed to her. This is when she moved out. Now she has to deal with all the public attention since Arnold recently confessed to the infidelity to the media.
Marlene, your thinking seems to have flaws. Of course this is humiliating for Maria and her children. Put yourself in her shoes for a moment. How utterly humiliating it would be to think you trusted, supported and loved someone who could do this to you. Why is that so hard to understand? Feeling humiliated is not the same as feeling "guilt"! Maria is a bright, well educated accomplished woman from a hugely powerful family. I don't even have words to describe how disgusting Arnold's action have been! Of course she looks shocked and devastated now that the new has broken for the world to know. Same with the kids. My heart goes out to them and to the 14 year old child of Baena, who HAS siblings by the way. He has much older brothers. Of all the "unfaithful" stories, this is the one that has truly shocked me. There are just so many disgusting weird aspects to it. My hope for Maria and her children right now is that they can somehow process all of this and then move on with their lives. If I could say anything to Maria it would be to tell her that she wasn't at fault for trusting a man who was an expert actor. Your integrity, intelligence and compassion are not lessened by the actions of this completely pathological man. Your children are so lucky to have each other and to have you. Please all, have faith and hang in.
This article seems to have flaws. First Maria would not feel humilated.No one in her position should feel that way. They did nothing wrong.There is only one person who feels humilated;Arnold. 'death to us apart' ? apart. really. Why is the media thinking this is so shocking for Maria for this last couple of days. They separated a few months ago. She has been trying to cope with the news.So any photos from this week trying to say how devasted and shocked she looks, cannot be true. Sadly, I guess I am hoping the children were already made aware of it earlier too, and did not only find out in the last couple of days.
This article seems to have flaws. First Maria would not feel humilated.No one in her position should feel that way. They did nothing wrong.There is only one person who feels humilated;Arnold. 'death to up apart' ? apart. really. Why is the media thinking this is so shocking for Maria for this last couple of days. They separated a few months ago. She has been trying to cope with the news.So any photos from this week trying to say how devasted and shocked she looks, cannot be true. Sadly, I guess I am hoping the children were already made aware of it earlier too, and did not only find out in the last couple of days.
While everyone is having empathy for the family, let's not say anything insensitive and that may hurt the other child involved in this. He did nothing to deserve any harsh comments, such as having people comment on his mother's character. He must be in a lot of pain right now. I feel for him - and he has no siblings for support. Let's send him some hope and good feelings that he'll get through this and that we support him. He's an innocent, too.
Poor Maria, I am really sorry for her, she is such a kind and devoted woman, I guess Arnold did not appreciate that! He needed more...Men are like that, unfortunately!
Another Hollywood story about a man who can't be faithful.Look at Shania Twain, Elin Woods, but this woman lived,ate and played in the same house as Maria.
I am really shocked about this. Never in a million years would I have thought this would happen to the Shriver/Kennedy family. Poor Maria & the kids. To come out 14 yrs later in a 25 yr marriage .. what was Arnold thinking?? He should have kept his mouth shut instead. I know honesty is the best policy, but not this time, unless he was being blackmailed by Baeda. I wish Maria and her kids the best.
I always thought he was a good move actor for action movies. Never cared much for his politics or him. Although I did not dislike him. I did however think there might be some truth to his womanizing repuation. I just really feel bad for his family. I would never forgive him. Simply for the humiliation factor alone, and what icks me out even more his kids are born within weeks of each other. Meaning one of his kids with Maria Shriver and his boy with the other woman...just really find the whole matter disgusting and distasteful. How 'Big' of Arnie to come out now and tell Maria since he's out of politics and was trying to relaunch his movie career. BLECH!!!
Dear Maria, NONE OF THIS IS YOUR FAULT!! You have been a WONDERFUL WIFE & MOTHER!! Arnold's crap is not on you!!I am sorry for your embarassment! I totally understand as I have been there too! It was done to me so I truly do know how you feel..minus the fame! ((((MARIA)))) If you ever need a friend who knows how to be discreet, e-mail me any time!! God Bless You and Your Family! Robin Zarzana
If a man lets his gonads do his thinking for him, then that man has no business being either a husband or a father.
@Donna-What a judgemental comment to make? My gawd! No one has any right to judge what's happening. No one lives with this family, or know's the circumstances. The judgements are just sickening!
Arnold... the Womanator.
poor kids, dad's a cheat, and they now have how many brothers and sisters walking around..