Actress Kelly Rutherford, one of the stars of the hit TV show Gossip Girl has just given birth to a daughter. The birth is particularly significant because she is currently going through a rather bitter custody battle with her ex-husband and the father of her children Daniel Giersch.

The baby was born at a hospital in Los Angeles on Monday, June 8. Their first child Hermes who was born on 18 October 2006, has been at the center of a very public fight between the former couple since their divorce. Seemingly making things worse is the recent revelation by Giersch that he was not informed of his daughter’s birth.

He released a statement saying, “Media reports claiming that I neglected to attend my daughter’s birth are total lies and fabrication. I was never informed by Kelly about the birth of our daughter, nor was I invited to attend. In fact, I found out about it through Internet reports like everyone else.”

Another disappointing development is what has turned out to be a somewhat distasteful fight played out for the entire world to see. A publicist for Rutherford, Jill Fritzo had this to say on the issue, “The doctors advised that no one be in the birthing room; (Daniel) was notified when (Helena) was born and was immediately invited to come see her.”

According to Giersch, the former couple had a verbal agreement that he would be kept appraised of everything leading up to the birth, which he says never happened. No further statement has been released by Rutherford regarding the issue.

This story is somewhat reminiscent of the battle between Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards after they began divorce proceedings. In some ways this story seems like it might top the Sheen/Richards story.

At any rate even though they are no longer together they still have two children to raise, two-year old Hermes and their newborn Helena. Hopefully this will be at the forefront of their minds as they move forward. I certainly wish them both the best and hope that differences will eventually be put aside for the sake of the children.

According to recent online reports, Kate Winslet’s ex-husband is expecting a child with his second wife. This means that her daughter Mia will soon be a big sis. In a refreshing change from all the bitter custody battles we keep hearing about, Winslet and Jim Threapleton have remained good friends since splitting.

Winlset is now married to director, Sam Mendes, and they have a four year old son, Joe along with eight year old Mia, her daughter with Threapleton. As the story goes they all spend time together when they can. Let’s face it, the family as we know it changed a long time ago. Winslet’s little group is only one example of what seems to be the reshaping of the concept of what constitutes a family.

Blended families, once the domain of sitcoms, are now widely accepted. Take a look at Ashton and Demi, who frequently attend events with her children and ex-husband Bruce Willis. Isn’t that what we would all like to see, as opposed to bitterness and public battles that are drawn through the courts for years?

Studies show that extended families now outnumber traditional nuclear families in the US. This is not surprising. Divorce has become relatively common, and sometimes, even people who marry for the first time, have a spouse who already have a child or children. It is not an easy road to travel for some, but being a stepparent is no less important than being a biological parent.

I think most people would agree that an environment that fosters harmony is important for the children involved. It’s tough enough to be a stepparent I’m sure without having to deal with hostile exes, too. Anyone struggling with these issues should know that there are support groups that can help.

For those of you who are having success raising your blended family, you and Ms. Winslet are in good company. Blended families in Hollywood include, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, and Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. Parenting was never meant to be easy, and being a stepparent brings its own challenges, but the rewards are all the same if a good bond and love is involved.