They both have insanely adorable tots who are perpetually targeted by the paparazzi, but that's where the comparisons end for Reese Witherspoon and Katie Holmes, who are light years apart when it comes to discussing their offspring.
Weighing in from planet Earth is the Oscar-winning ex of Ryan Phillippe (and current Jake Gyllenhaal squeeze), who tells the February issue of Marie Claire that she faces the same challenges in raising look-alike tykes Ava, 8, and Deacon, 4, as nonfamous moms and dads.
"Like every working parent, I sometimes feel that there are not enough hours in the day," acknowledges Reese. "But overall, I'm very fortunate that my job has a lot of flexibility. I spend a lot of time with the kids, just around the house. They're still pretty young, so I feel like what I can mostly do is listen to them and be there for them."
The actress, who joined her progeny for a weekend outing to a Los Angeles-area ice skating rink, also tells the mag she tries not to be a worrywart, but she admits to being plagued by the typical mom-type fretting.
"I worry about my kids growing up and how the world might hurt them," she concedes. "But at the same time, I absolutely do not worry about them growing up -- because they have great values and a great sense of self."
Adds Reese, "I had parents who believed I could do anything -- and I know how that made me feel."
A Very Strong Woman in Very Cute Bangs: The Suri Cruise Story
Meanwhile, seemingly beaming in from a galaxy where babies mature at an accelerated rate

is
Mrs. Tom Cruise, who gushes to People of preternaturally winsome daughter Suri, "She's a very strong woman."
The mop-topped moppet, for those keeping track, will be all of 2 in April, which is still a wee bit young to bring home the bacon and fry it up in a pan, at least without adult supervision.
"I'm very proud of her," adds Katie, who is currently out stumping for "Mad Money." "
She's actually teaching me a lot -- probably more than I'm teaching her."
While you contemplate exactly what that learning curve might mean for a 29-year-old woman and a poopie-pantsed toddler, keep in mind that both mother and daughter had oodles of fun during a trip Sunday night to FAO Schwarz in New York, where Cruise surprised Holmes with a birthday party back in 2005.
"We were running around, eating ice cream and playing with all of the toys," the flatteringly be-bobbed actress enthused to "Good Morning America" on Monday. "And Tom and I were playing with a lot of the toys ourselves. It's fun for adults. You get carried away."
The proud mom also revealed to "GMA" how her "very strong" and "very smart" child, who scored a decidedly youthful stuffed monkey during the toy store trip, is now to the point where she "picks out some of her clothes," which must be quite the pressure-filled feat for the fashion-admired ankle-biter.
And just in case you missed the part about Suri being one tough and intelligent little cookie, Katie reiterates to People, "
She's very smart and strong -- and really magical."