Angelina Jolie is trying her best to make amends, at least as far as the children are concerned. The actress’s six kids are having a difficult time adjusting to her divorce with Brad Pitt . To alleviate the situation, an insider told Hollywood Life that Jolie is willing to give them whatever they want .
Will Jolie’s tactics work?
“The kids are so depressed and Angelina is scrambling to do anything and everything to cheer them up,” the source explained. “Her first tactic was showing them as much love as possible – more hugs, more compliments, more affection, letting them sleep in her bed and stay up late, but that was not getting her anywhere.”
Jolie’s initial plan may have failed, but she isn’t ready to give up just yet. Instead, the Tomb Raider star is starting to buy her kids whatever they want – including a new puppy – in hopes to win them over and keep them happy.
“Now she’s resorting to gifts. Anything they want, they get it. Zahara (11), loves to shop so Angie had her go to her favorite online stores and get whatever she wanted,” the insider stated. “The twins (eight-year-old Knox and Vivienne) got a toy shopping spree. The boys Maddox (15) and Pax (12) get gadgets, and electronics, and Shiloh, 10, wants a puppy. Angie is still holding out on that one!”
Considering how Jolie has six children, sustaining this kind of gift giving is definitely going to take its toll. Of course, it will all be worth it if the children are able to work through the separation without losing their minds.
That being said, it isn’t clear what Pitt thinks of Jolie’s new tactics. According to Us Magazine , part of their marital problems centered on how to raise their kids . In fact, as early as 2009, the couple was fighting on where to enroll their children in school.
While Jolie wanted the kids to experience the entire world and “really live a truly global” life, Pitt wanted the children to go to a regular school in New Orleans. Their arguments allegedly led to intense and frequent fights.
“Brad wants them to have a normal upbringing and worries that they’ll come out spoiled, elitist, and not grounded,” an insider shared. “But Angie feels they should be ‘children of the world.’ They argue about it all the time: heated, screaming fights.”
Indeed, Jolie acknowledged their parenting differences in an interview in 2012. The actress admitted that Pitt “had to play bad cop more often,” though sources indicate that Jolie thought her husband was a little too strict at times.
“[He] became a big yeller,” one insider revealed. “And she would not tolerate him yelling at the kids. There were a few times Angie said she was terrified.”
Raised in Springfield, Missouri, Pitt grew up in a conservative household. His parents were never abusive, but they weren’t afraid to be stern with the boys. The same is true with Pitt, who, despite allegations, does not have a temper problem.
Like any ordinary father, Pitt would get upset if the kids left their toys out or stayed “up too late playing video games.” Although he was stricter than Angelina Jolie, Pitt tried to teach the children “to be respectful human beings,” while Jolie “lets the kids run around and behave badly.”
Of course, Pitt faced a lot of criticism following his breakup with Jolie. Shortly after the actress filed for divorce, Pitt became embroiled in a child abuse scandal. Authorities eventually cleared Pitt of all abuse charges, but not until his public image took a hit.
According to International Business Times , Pitt’s Allied co-star Marion Cotillard has nothing but kind words to say about her on-screen romance. During a recent interview, the French actress called Pitt a “good man” who was easy to get along with.
“He is such a good man,” Cotillard stated. “Of course, he’s an amazing actor. He’s such a good person that it’s really not difficult to get along with him.”
As far as Jolie is concerned, ET Online is reporting that her ex-husband, Billy Bob Thornton, shared kind words about the divorce. While promoting his new film, Bad Santa 2 , Thornton revealed that Jolie is doing fine with the split.
“She seems, you know, OK to me when I talk to [her],” Thornton explained. “I don’t talk to her that often though. You know? We’re still very good friends, but she’s got her world. I’ve got mine.”
Jolie’s father, Jon Voight, expressed similar sentiments and hopes that everything works out for his daughter. “I appreciate everybody’s concern and their prayers,” Voight told E! News during the premiere of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them . “Hopefully things will work out.”
When it comes to the custody agreement, a rep for Jolie revealed that a temporary agreement has been reached between the Hollywood stars. With a lengthy court battle likely to ensue, there’s no telling when the estranged couple will work everything out.
“The job of the DCFS is to make sure the children are in a safe and secure situation. As we said earlier this week, childcare professionals encouraged a legal agreement accepted and signed by both sides that was in the best interest of the children,” the rep explained. “Angelina said from the beginning that she felt she had to take action for the health of the family and is relieved that after their eight-week involvement, the DCFS is now satisfied the safeguards are put in place that will allow the children to heal.”
Tell us! Who do you think is the better parent — Angelina Jolie or Brad Pitt? Let us know in the comments below.
[Featured Image by Milos Bicanski/Getty Images]