When it comes to breakups and parenting in the world of celebrities, we tend to hear more bad stories than good. But the Hollywood pairing that has become the poster couple for celebrity #parentinggoals is, without a doubt, Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow.
The difficulties of divorce are undeniable, yet the exes are shining examples of just how amicable couples can be after they split (or 'consciously uncouple'). Both have been extremely open about how they navigated their separation, putting the needs of their children before anything else. Paltrow has said her ex-husband should be "father of the year" and he has only said good things about her in return, even with the divorce being finalised almost two years ago (they separated in 2014).
The Iron Man actress previously publicly admitted divorce was heartbreaking for the both of them but that throughout, one of their main concerns was ensuring that their kids Apple, 14, and Moses, 12, were emotionally supported throughout the process. From trying to maintain the family structure even though they weren't together as a couple - to the Oscar winner keeping her surname so that her children wouldn't be asked questions about it in school.
"We thought if we could really maintain the family even though we weren’t a couple that was kind of the goal so that’s what we’ve tried to do," she said. And in a new interview, she said legally keeping her surname was something she did - her name is still Gwyneth Paltrow Martin - because that's how she's known at the school of her kids.
"I think in my case, because I am known out in the world as Gwyneth Paltrow, I had always kept that identity in a way," she told The Mirror. "But in things related to school, I am Martin. Other children call me Mrs Martin, which is kind of hilarious."
And on keeping her married name, the Goop founder said it was a personal decision, as well as thinking of her kids. " It's a personal choice,' she said. 'I don't know – it has to be what's right for everybody. In some cases, women really want to reclaim their own name. And in some cases, people want to keep their married name."
We think the whole thing is very sweet - and a testament to how close the couple remain as a family.
