Generally speaking, moms have a lot of power at home. Some moms, however, wield a lot of power outside the home too, and that takes a lot of effort and determination. Dana over at Mombian has compiled a list of the most powerful lesbian moms in America. These are women who are not only caring for their kids, but are also making a difference in the world.

The list includes a lot of women we hear about all the time -- Melissa Etheridge, Mary Cheney, Rosie O'Donnell -- as well as some you might not have heard of at all -- Lisa Brummel (senior vice president for human resources at Microsoft), Megan Smith (vice president of new business development at Google), and Karla Drenner (Georgia State Representative).

Of course, everyone's definition of power is different, but I think we can all agree that these are women who are definitely higher up on the ladder than most. And if that weren't enough, they're also all moms -- probably the most challenging and difficult job on the planet. Cheers to all of them!

Women going through childbirth might as well check their modesty at the door. Depending on how you handle your own labor experience, any number of medical professionals, friends, and family members may be privy to parts of your body that you yourself need a mirror and an awkward angle to see.

Then, afterward, the cameras come out. The baby is cute and the husband is dressed and well-rested, but mom? Well, if your pictures look like mine, you look sweaty, pale, and exhausted.

According to the New York Post, some moms -- influenced by today's celebrity mom lifestyle -- are taking steps to look their best in their post-labor pictures. Some are even planning appointments around their due date, making sure that they have fresh manicures, pedicures, hairstyles, and even bikini waxes.

Blogging celebrity Heather Armstrong (better known as Dooce to most of cyberspace) recently made an appearance on The Today Show. Only instead of promoting her newly released book, Heather was subjected to the judgements of Kathie Lee Gifford about the evils of blogging . (Gifford, who clearly would not know a blog from a bog said, "There's something that worries me about it (blogging)......")

David Archuleta is one of three contestants left in the final round of this season's American Idol, so it stands to reason that the pressure is on. But it's hard to say who's feeling the pressure more, David or his dad.

Jeff Archuleta, who is allowed backstage because David, 17, is still a minor, recently lost his backstage pass for not following the rules. Though Archuleta had been warned about his overbearing influence during rehearsals in the past, he broke a rule last week that cost the show extra money. When David sang the song "Stand By Me," his father added in a verse from Sean Kingston's "Beautiful Girls," which American Idol then had to pay for.

According to Wikipedia, this isn't the first time Archuleta has been accused of overstepping his role of stage parent. Naomi Judd, who worked with the family on Star Search once said that Jeff Archuleta was the "worst stage dad," and that security measures had to be put into place during that series as well.

When Denise Richards and Charlie Sheen broke up way back when, many speculated that playboy Charlie had been caught doing something he shouldn't have been doing. There may or may not be something to that theory, but according to Denise Richards, the final straw in the relationship had nothing to do with another woman. She says it was an ugly disagreement over vaccinations that made her realize her marriage wasn't going to work.

Denise says that when she decided to vaccinate four-year-old daughter Sam, Charlie accused her of poisoning their child. "I knew when he said that, that the marriage wasn't going to work," she tells Rebook magazine.

While that does seem a little harsh, I've seen first hand right here at Parent Dish how the subject of vaccinations can divide parents. In the end, the best we can do is agree to disagree. But when mom and dad have different opinions, things can get a little more complicated. Have you and your partner found yourselves on different sides of the vaccination debate? How did you work it out?

She might be famous for playing a character who wouldn't be caught dead in last season's clothes, but Sarah Jessica Parker is no designer diva when it comes to dressing her five-year-old son, James Wilke.

"He only wears hand-me-downs because I've got all these older nephews," Parker, 43, says in the newest issue of Parade magazine. "That's the God's honest truth! Plus, my mother saved all my brothers' clothes. I am not kidding. I don't think I've ever bought him any clothes. Maybe a new winter's coat...."

As the parent of a 7-year-old, I am extremely aware of Miley Cyrus and her incredible rise to fame. As someone over the age of forty, I am also well acquainted with her Achy-Breaky dad, Billy Ray. I'm a fan of both and wish nothing but the best for them. However, I've been quietly, and not so quietly, wondering just what the heck is wrong with Billy Ray. It seems that he has forgotten that he is the father of a 15-year-old and not just the co-star and friend of Miley Cyrus.

I've taken a little heat for that opinion, but clearly I am not the only one who thinks Billy Ray Cyrus is falling down on the parenting job. In response to that Vanity Fair photo of Miley wearing nothing but a sheet and a come-hither look, former child-star Marie Osmond lays the blame on dad.

By way of explanation, Billy Ray has said he was present in the beginning of that photo shoot - before the offending photo was taken - but that he had another appointment and had to leave. That, says Osmond, is where he went wrong. "My parents never, never left us alone," she says. "We always had some form of a guardian or something with us, a guardian that would represent what they would have done."

Osmond says she was fortunate to have the best kind of stage mother in Olive Osmond. "She was there for every stage of my life. I think, if your kids are going to be in that kind of business, then you need to make it your business to be there for them and help them figure out, but not necessarily to control them."

Everybody makes mistakes and Billy Ray clearly made one in leaving that photo shoot early. But if a 47-year-old experienced entertainer could make such a mistake, imagine the mistakes a fifteen-year-old will make without someone there to guide her.

First she married, now she wants to mommy? Mariah Carey, the woman who recently claimed the act of motherhood would violate her but who has now found the soulmate she's always been searching for wants babies.

According to reports, Mimi is planning for children in the months ahead with new husband Nick Cannon. According to the Daily News, the 39-year-old Grammy winner is moving forward with plans to bring some mini-Mimis into the world, wasting no time in listening to her biological clock.

Carey reveals that her marriage, which she claims was planned and not out of the blue, was all part of her mommy plan. Says Carey, "It's part of the whole purpose of getting married." She also goes on to say she wants her kids to have the best childhood and upbringing possible. I'm elated by all this just imagining hearing that voice in the halls of the maternity ward during Mimi's final stages of pushing! Or, better yet, will she be wearing stilettos???

Good luck, Mariah!

We've all seen the movie version of the nervous dad-to-be sweating bullets and passing out in the delivery room while his long-suffering wife stoically endures the pain of childbirth. The next scene usually involves poor mom left to fend for herself while all medical personnel attend to dad, who by the time is on the floor. It's pretty standard stuff in the movies and usually good for a laugh. But does this ever happen in real life? Yes, it does.

According to Cynthia Rodriguez, the birth of her first child could have been scripted in Hollywood. Her husband is New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez - better known as A-Rod - and for a big, tough ball player, he's pretty wimpy when it comes to hospitals.

For an episode of YES Network's YESterdays, Cynthia recounts the 2004 birth of daughter Natasha Alexander Rodriguez. She says she knew her husband had difficulty dealing with medical situations, but was hopeful that he could stay upright and conscious while she gave birth. No such luck.

"The one nurse had a cold cloth on his head. The other nurse had the blood pressure on his arm. And my mother was like rubbing his back. And he is passed out on a couch. And I am there, in the middle of labor," she says. "And really, I am not being paid much attention to besides the doctor and a couple of nurses," she said. "And he is there moaning. In between pushing, I am going, `Honey, are you OK?' and `Are you breathing? Are you OK?' "

Thing went much smoother the second time around. When Cynthia gave birth to Ella Alexander last month, A-Rod arrived about ten minutes after she delivered. I imagine him walking very slowly down the hall of the hospital, hoping and praying the messy stuff will be over by the time he reaches her room.

What about you? Was your labor and delivery a comedy show, too?

Just in time for Mother's Day, a little something different. MSN has compiled a slide show of the meanest moms to come out of Hollywood. They're fictitious kind of silver screen, of course. Take a look to see if you're familiar with any and all from this compilation.

Naturally, included in the mix is Faye Dunaway's priceless version of Joan Crawford in Mommie Dearest. I remember seeing that film as a child and being absolutely terrified. Even now I can't think about Joan Crawford without flinching (especially after "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane!).

Also included is Norman Bates' mother from the movie Psycho, who haunts and taunts him from beyond the grave. Note to self: Do not be this kind of mother; son will turn out to be a murderer. Oh, and how could we forget Mrs. Robinson? Anne Bancroft, God rest her soul, who never looked better, played cold and calculating to a "T. If you're feeling bad about your own mothering skills, take a look at this list. I can assure you you'll feel a lot better knowing that no matter what you did--put the kid to bed to early, forgot to trim his nails (again), wouldn't let him have ice cream, etc.--you will never, ever be as bad a mom as these mamas. Have fun!

Pic of Joan and the Evil Queen from Snow White (not mentioned but worthy of inclusion!) by Evil Preacher.

New motherhood -- fulfilling as it is -- can be a difficult adjustment. I can only imagine that adjusting to life with a demanding young baby has to be especially hard for a young celebrity mom who's used to spending her days shopping and her nights partying.

That's why it didn't surprise me when I read that an "insider" recently told the press that Nicole Richie is torn between enjoying life as a new mom and missing her old party girl ways. She calls life with baby Harlow "beyond amazing," yet misses her former, carefree lifestyle. Yep, that about sums it up.

I remember sitting in a rocker on my third night as a new mom. Suffering from the baby blues and sleep deprivation, as well as a little uncertainty about why my baby wouldn't stop crying, I began to wonder if life would ever be the same again. What I didn't realize then -- tears falling, hormones raging, brain exhausted -- was that I was right; life would never be the same again, it would be better.

Nicole may already realize that, despite what this "insider" says. But if not, I'm sure that she soon will. What about you -- did you mourn your former life when your child came along?

The life of country singer Gretchen Wilson is one of rags to riches. Born to a sixteen year old mother, the Redneck Woman singer grew up in poverty in rural Illinois. Her father left before she was two and she and her waitress mother made their homes in various trailer parks around the state. At the age of fifteen, she dropped out of high school to work as a bartender and eventually found her way to Nashville, Tennessee.

There, she met and married Mike Penner and in the 2000, the couple had a daughter, Grace. A talented singer, Wilson worked as a backup vocalist before finding fame with the release of her album Here for the Party in 2003. That album sold 5 million copies and a career that began with a young Gretchen belting out tunes in front of Kmart transformed into a Grammy-winning success story. But for all her achievements, there was something missing in her life: a high school diploma.

Determined to set a good example for her daughter, now seven, Wilson sat for and passed the General Educational Development exam last month. On May 15th, she will be up on stage, not to sing, but to accept her long-overdue high school diploma.

Obviously, not having that piece of paper didn't hold her back in her chosen career, but she says she wanted to make sure her daughter knew the importance of finishing school. "I certainly don't want her to think you can be this successful without an education," she tells The Tennessean.

I know a thing or two about interrupted high school educations and commend Wilson for going all the way and getting that diploma. She clearly didn't have to do it, but what an important lesson she has taught her daughter. Congratulations, Gretchen!

There are many who believe that the marriage of Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey was doomed the moment they let a camera crew into their home. During a time when most young couples are quietly and privately settling into their newly acquired domestic bliss, these two were starring in Newlyweds. The whole point of that show was to invade their privacy and it makes sense that the presence of cameras would create some strain on the relationship. In the end, the marriage failed and the couple sadly went their separate ways.

There is at least one person who doesn't see a connection between the failed marriage and the intrusion of the cameras: Jessica's dad, Joe Simpson. As Jessica's manager, Joe was the man responsible for making Newlyweds happen and sources say he's now seeing dollar signs when he looks at his younger daughter, Ashlee. Ashlee recently became engaged to Pete Wentz and rumor has it that she is with child. Kaching!

In my opinion, another reality show featuring a Simpson marriage sounds like a snooze-fest, but apparently Papa Joe thinks otherwise. "He knows that no one cared about Jessica before her reality show, and he's hoping a show for Ashlee will have the same effect," a source says.

By "same effect", I am sure he means popularity and ratings, not divorce. At any rate, a publicist for Ashlee and Pete says it isn't true and that the couple have no plans to star in a Newlyweds 2. But that same publicist says Ashlee isn't pregnant, so who knows.

Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguilera and Nicole Richie may think selling photos of your newborn bundle of joy is a great way to make some extra cash, but R&B singer Usher clearly does not. In fact, rumors that he tried and failed to find a buyer for his own son's pictures have him sounding pretty riled up. "In no way would I ever pimp out my child for money. I am livid that people talk about my child," he tells New York Post's Page Six.

He goes on to say, "What makes you a man more than being a father to your child? I recognize I gave anonymity away when I became an artist, but to have people try to paint a horrible picture of what's so beautiful - it's obvious someone is trying to stop something so beautiful."

Usher may have a problem with celebrities who make money off their babies, but that doesn't mean the proud papa doesn't want to show off little Usher V. Father and son are to be featured on the cover of the Father's Day issue of Essence magazine. Free of charge, of course.

When Academy Award-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow stepped away from Hollywood to be a stay-at-home mom, people wondered if she had made the right decision. Like many women who put a successful career on hold to raise their kids, she was taking a leap of faith. But to Paltrow, that didn't factor much into her decision.

In a recent interview, she said:

"You know, they change so quickly and the idea of someone else being there when they do their first this or say their first that is just, like, it makes me die."

Paltrow is married to Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, and the couple have two kids, Apple, 4 and Moses, 2. Paltrow recently spoke about her bout with post-partum depression after Moses was born. It was then, she said, when she was depressed, unable to take off the baby weight, and hanging around in her sweats all day, that she began to worry Hollywood might not take her back.