Celebrity Motherhood Is Mary-Louise Parker's Favorite Role The new mom says life with her two kids and a new boyfriend is wonderful By Paul Chi Published on October 27, 2009 08:30 AM Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Nothing beats the home life for Mary-Louise Parker. “Becoming a mom is the best thing that’s happened to me,” Parker, 45, told PEOPLE at the 5th Annual Worldwide Orphans benefit gala in New York City Monday. “I’ll be the first to admit that it can be very hard to raise two kids, but I absolutely love it. I can’t imagine what my life would be without my children.” Parker, already mom to William Atticus, 5, her son with former boyfriend Billy Crudup, adopted Caroline Aberash, now 3, from Ethiopia in August 2007. She says it was the “best decision I’ve ever made.” Meet Mary-Louise Parker’s New Beau And she’s a great fit with her big brother. “They both want to put on shows all the time with top hats,” Parker says. “It’s very vaudeville. They are really sweet together and sometimes they hurt each other, but they are just like me and my brother.” Boyfriend ‘Great Guy’ These days Parker can share the joys of motherhood with her musician boyfriend Charlie Mars, 35, whom she calls a “great guy.” “He’s kind and very sweet,” Parker says. PHOTOS: Mommy & Me Celebrity WorkoutsNow that Parker has two kids in her life, what has she learned about herself? Patience! “They really put you in touch on how little you know and how little you are capable of and much you are capable of,” she says. “They are very humbling, children. I am more patient now. I’ve become much more patient.”