Mum! We Lurve You

Mothers - where would we be without them! The pillars of our evolution, the foundation of our existence. They diapered us, pampered us, fed us. They also thought us the meaning of guilt. Galaxie toasts the award-winning performances of some of our behind-the-scene mothers - Happy Mother's Day.

Nick and Aaron Carter and mum Jane Carter

When did you first discover that Nick and Aaron had talent? Nick, when he was nine. He was singing in the backyard and I was out by the pool and I heard him singing. I ran into the house and told my husband. I think it kinda happened from there. With Aaron, he really started exhibiting "show off"-type personality, being around the Backstreet Boys a lot, when he was about four years old. He was always doing cartwheels and getting into the middle of things when the boys were rehearsing. I had a feeling then.

Did you encourage or discourage them? I recognized the talent and I definitely encouraged it. I did everything I could. I ran them to dance classes and voice lessons and auditons - all kinds of stuff.

What was it like bringing up Aaron and Nick? With Nick it was kinda sad in a way, because when he was 12, he was basically put into the entertainment world. Then, when he actually started touring when he was 14 and things started really happening for him, that was really rough - being away.

Would you have done anything differently? The one thing that I would have done differently would have been to have sought some more legal advise on contracts initially for Nick.

Have you ever embarrassed them in public - by mistake? Yes, I have. When Nick was 14 and touring in Germany. I am very affectionate with my kids and I am always kissing them or hugging them or holding their hand. Nick was just starting to grow up and there were fans around him and I give him a big kiss and he turned to me and said, "Mum, not in front of the fans." With Aaron I can still get away with it.

What's your favourite Mother's Day gift? A shirt that Aaron made for me at school. It had drawings of everybody in the family. And it said something to the effect of, "Mums are the most important people in the world." I still have it.