Madonna has had a whirlwind year already, making her directorial debut, performing at the Super Bowl halftime show and preparing to release a new album, but the iconic singer admits that balancing her high-pressure career and her mom duties is taking its toll.
The singer told Britain's The Sun that she often feels as if her "head is going to explode" from all the stress of being a single mom -- something to which many women around the world can relate.
"I'm not going to lie -- it's hard work having four kids and doing all the work I do," she said.
And things are only going to get busier for the superstar, with the March 26 release of her buzzed-about new album, "MDNA," just around the corner and rumors surrounding her personal life running rampant.
Though Madonna is a single mom -- she split from husband Guy Ritchie in 2008 -- she's definitely not a single lady. She's been dating French model Brahim Zaibat for two years, and the inevitable engagement rumors have been swirling for quite some time.
With her worldly travels and her intense work schedule, it's easy to understand the stress Madonna and her family are under, but the singer isn't letting critics tell her how to live.
"Everybody has something to say about the way I live my life," she said. "At the end of the day I'm doing my best. If people don't like it, then that's really their problem."
In addition to raising children Rocco, David and Mercy, Madonna is also trying her best to shield her daughter, Lourdes (who goes by Lola), from the pressure of showbusiness. Though she provided background vocals for a track on her mom's new album, Lola is focused on school right now.
"She's not really interested in any of it," Madonna said. "She just wants to go to school. She says to me, 'Mum, I just want to be a normal kid. I'm not ready for any of that.'"
Though her fame may give her children certain advantages in life, the singer hopes her kids will grow up to be independent individuals who won't get trapped in the fame game.
"I realize to a certain extent my children are raised with privilege," she told The Huffington Post in February, adding that she wants them to grow up to think for themselves and not just follow the pack. "I encourage them to question things, to take responsibility for their behavior, to think outside the box, [as] they will have a different set of challenges."
For more from Madonna, head over to The Sun.
Missed Madonna's Super Bowl performance? Check out some photos below:
