Gwyneth Paltrow gets a lot of flack for her Goopy emails filled with tips on how to live, well, like her. I admit, I've done my fair share of eye-rolling at some of the things she comes up with, especially when it comes to "balance." But, while one of her latest missives, on the topic of a "typical" day in the life of a woman juggling career and family managed to include the phrase "my favorite fishmonger", I basically get that she's a working mother, trying to fit it all in and find that elusive "balance" we're always hearing about (but I have yet to see evidence it actually exists). Yes, Gwyneth Paltrow's days involve glamorous activities like giving interviews and prepping a wardrobe for a 6-day press tour; and yes she can afford all the help she wants ... but still. I get it, Gwyn. You're not exactly "just like us" -- but the themes are the same: Family, Work, Self.

And now Gwyneth has given an interview to Good Housekeeping that I'm sure is going to earn her a whole bunch more flak -- she confesses,

"I'll probably get kicked out of our school for admitting this, but I let Apple stay home yesterday. I just needed to be with her. We went out to lunch, we went to the beauty salon, we were together."

And to that I say ... Right on, sister! I can relate 100%. I'm not advocating mass truancy, but a day here and there to spend some stolen, quality time ... that's priceless. And well worth catching up on some math worksheets and spelling words.

Read 10 Fun Facts About Gwyneth Paltrow

A few weeks ago I took my own daughter, Isabella, age 7, out of school for the day because I'd been invited to tour the Madame Alexander Doll Factory in NYC. How could I resist? We rode the train together, had lunch, took the amazing tour, and then I brought her along to a work meeting where she took a break and watched movies on my laptop. We finished the day with a quick stop at the Swarovski gallery in Soho and some of the best pizza in NYC. Isabella had a blast, and it was so special for me to get to share the day with her, and I loved giving her a peek into some of what I do. As she fell asleep on my lap on the train home, I thought it had been just about a perfect day.

Yes, we can go on adventures on weekends and holidays, but every once in a while, a special day stolen from the routine of "supposed to" is well worth it.

I hope you had fun with your sweet Apple, Gwyneth -- no matter what the outraged letter-writers and bloggers are bound to say. (Huffington Post)

What do you think, Bettys? Are Gwyneth and I irresponsible nuts for indulging in some mama-approved hooky?

April Daniels Hussar is BettyConfidential’s Executive Editor.