Charlize Theron credits her mom as 'co-parent' to her 2 children

The actress' children are 6 and 2.

Theron herself is a single mother of two adopted children -- 6-year-old son Jackson and 2-year-old daughter August -- and said that while she doesn’t have a “staff of 40” like people may think, she’s still learned when to ask for help.

Theron, 42, admitted that in the beginning, she wanted to do it all, but with her second child she “realized I am happier and my kids are happier if I ask for more help.” In addition to her mom, her support system includes a nanny, as well as family and friends.

Theron, who grew up around racial inequality in South Africa, also said she’s very vocal about the issue with her own children, who are black.

“They need to know where they come from and be proud of that. But they’re going to have to know that it’s a different climate for them than it is for me, and how unfair that is,” she said. “If I can do something about that, of course I’m going to.”

The May issue of Elle hits stands April 24. "Tully" hits theaters on May 4.