There’s a lot that has been said about Katie Holmes, her relationship with Tom Cruise and how she’s parenting their daughter Suri Cruise after their split. And while no one knows what is really going on behind closed doors, one thing is for certain: Suri looks like she is having a very happy and healthy childhood with her mother by her side. As a matter of fact, the Hollywood actress has gotten plenty of praise for the way she has handled the media criticism, how she’s done things with grace and how she won’t let anyone get the best of her. For Katie, all that matters is that she and Suri are safe, sound and secure.

Katie has said several times in the past that all she wants is for her daughter to grow up as normal as possible. And by that, she means that she wants Suri to experience everything other little girls her age do on a daily basis. For Katie Holmes, it’s the least that she can do.

Here are 20 ways that Katie Holmes is raising her daughter, both in and out of the public spotlight. Take a look at our list below and let us know what you think!

20 Suri’s Playdates

Back when Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes were still together, little Suri would often be seen hanging out with her parents, being shuffled from one New York City hotel to another and going on late night dinner dates with her famous parents. That has all changed since Katie started taking control of Suri’s life. Instead of hanging out with adults, Suri is often seen with her friends and going on fun playdates with her classmates. For Katie, it’s important that Suri has a normal life and that she spends time with children that are closer to her age. Suri is surely not complaining about this at all.

19 No More Designer Clothes

Also, when Katie was still with Tom Cruise, their precious daughter was always photographed wearing the best clothes that money can buy. For Tom, he made it pretty clear that whatever Suri wanted, she got. That doesn’t seem to be the case anymore. Suri’s more humble now and is more concerned about giving than receiving. “My little one is very, very generous and very sensitive,” Holmes explained on the Today Show. “So, she’s always [saying], ‘Mom, let’s give my old toys to people who need it.’ So we are always doing that. I don't over-gift. I don't inundate my child with a lot of things.”

18 ….But She’s Still A Fashionista

And even though Suri might have more fashion items from Target than Gucci in her closet these days, that doesn’t mean she’s any less of a fashionista. As a matter of fact, she’s still got style on her mind every day and even gives her Hollywood mom some much-needed fashion tips. According to Katie, Suri often gives her good advice. “She'll really tell me [what she thinks]. Like today I'm wearing brown suede pants, and she said, 'I don't like your pants.' But then she'll say, `You've got to wear these shoes.' Or 'That's so pretty, Mom. Wear that.' She's got a great eye.”

17 She Wears Makeup Now

Believe it or not, Suri wears makeup now! It seems like it was only yesterday when Suri Cruise made her big debut on the cover of Vanity Fair magazine with her parents, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes dotting over here. These days she’s a little girl (who will soon turn into a woman) that is making her own decisions and yes, wearing the kind of clothes and styles that she wants to wear. In addition, she also likes to put on a little mascara and a hint of lip gloss wherever she goes. And clearly, Katie seems to be okay with it.

16 Living The Big Apple Life

Suri Cruise and Katie Holmes spend more time in New York City than in Hollywood these days. That’s because Katie wants Suri to live a life that is as normal as it can get for them. She once said, “I try to make our world very much an environment that’s just all about being a kid without too much of Hollywood coming into that. And I just enjoy it. Honestly, I think that there are so many books and opinions about how to be a great mom, and you have good days and bad days, and sometimes you do great and sometimes you could have done better. But I have to say I’m really enjoying having a 10-year-old. She’s a remarkable person.”

15 Holidays In Ohio

Suri is no longer having Christmas in Colorado with Hollywood stars but instead having normal holiday experiences in Ohio with her grandparents. And according to Katie, she is loving every second of it. “We are getting ready for Christmas in my house. My daughter’s 8 years old and she already has her Christmas list ready,” she said on The Ellen DeGeneres Show several years back. “It’s written out. She’s very organized. I start to, like, get a little bit [stressed] because you cannot [mess] up talking to Santa. You cannot miss any item on that list, because if you [mess] that up, that’s years and years of hearing about it and then probably therapy.”

14 Katie Values Motherhood

Katie Holmes has had plenty of roles in her life, both on the small screen and the big screen. But if there’s one role that is the most important one to her, it’s motherhood. She values her life as a parent and strives to do her best, each and every day. As a matter of fact, she’s even seen a lot of changes in her ever since she became a mom to little Suri. There have been ups and downs but it’s been mostly positive. Katie once said, “Becoming a mother has been the most amazing experience - in an instant you become strong. You have to be a little bit wiser; it's the most important job in the world."

13 But What About Isabella and Connor?

Suri Cruise used to be very close to her two siblings, Connor and Isabella, who happen to be Tom Cruise’s children with his ex-wife, Nicole Kidman. But the moment Katie Holmes pulled the plug on her relationship with Tom Cruise, things have changed. Those who used to be in Tom’s inner circle are no longer a part of Katie’s life. Now, no one knows what is really going on behind closed doors, but at the same time, Suri hasn’t been photographed with her older siblings in years. It’s safe to say they aren’t as close as they used to be.

12 Her Extra Curricular Activities

Suri Cruise is a very active little girl. Not only does she love to hang out with her friends, check out Broadway plays and go to her gymnastics classes, but she also loves to do creative arts and crafts with her mother Katie. In fact, the two of them love to work on fun projects at home together all the time. “I spray-paint shoe racks, because, why not? I think, ‘Oh, I’m a great mom’ and then it doesn’t really pan out the way I think it’s going to,” she told Women’s Wear Daily. “But the intention’s there. I’ve always done crafts at home — I have to stay creative in every aspect [of my life].”

11 Courtside Seats At NBA Games

If there is another activity that Katie and Suri love to do together, it’s root for their favorite and hometown NBA team, the New York Knicks. That’s right: Katie is a huge basketball fan and is often seen cheering on her team with Suri by her side. What’s more, the mother and daughter duo get to enjoy courtside seats like the VIP guests that they are. And from what fans can tell, Suri always looks like she is having a ball at the games. The smile on her face says it all, right? Here’s hoping the Knicks win a championship in their near future.

10 Kate Has Mom Guilt

Katie Holmes might be a Hollywood and celebrity mom who can afford plenty of help, but apparently, she deals with the same kind of mom guilt that the rest of us have on a daily basis. Sure, she can take Suri out of school and go on a lavish and luxurious vacation to Europe, but Katie isn’t that kind of mom. She wants to keep her daughter grounded. Still, she can’t help but feel guilty from time to time. “Remember the days when the only time anyone took out a camera was on birthdays, holidays and vacations? Like, that one has taken her child to Morocco. Why haven’t I taken my child to Morocco?” she said.

9 Mommy And Me Dates

Katie Holmes and Suri Cruise enjoy plenty of low-key but fun mommy-and-me dates together all around the Big Apple. It doesn’t matter what they are doing or where they are going, as long as they are together, that’s the only thing that matters. From hanging out to small coffee shops or catching the latest movies at the theater, they enjoy the quality time they get to spend with one another, and away from all the paparazzi and flashing light bulbs. For Katie, giving Suri a normal childhood – and a similar one that she experienced herself – is all that really matters.

8 Her School Life

Katie Holmes has given her fans an inside look to her life at home, but she doesn’t like to reveal too many details about Suri’s personal life. Suri does attend the Convent of the Sacred Heart in the Upper East Side of New York City and attends classes, does her homework, and participates in activities just like every other kid in her class. “My child is the most important person to me and her upbringing is paramount to my work right now. It’s very important that I’m present and she has a stable, innocent childhood,” she told Town & Country magazine.

7 Her Best Friends

Suri Cruise attends an all-girl school, which means that she has plenty of good friends that she looks forward to seeing every day. Sure, there might be best friends (and not so best friends), but for Katie, she wants Suri to go to a school in which she gets to meet people from all different walks of life. Suri is often photographed giggling and enjoying her free time with her best friends from school. They share laughs, ice cream, and gossip and jokes just like so many other little girls their age. Suri looks happy and above all, very well-adjusted as a normal tween girl.

6 Social Media Photos

Katie Holmes knows that she is a Hollywood actress that is in the celebrity and media spotlight. Being a public figure comes with the package, and that’s something she can’t deny. With that being said, Katie likes to give her fans a sneak peek of her private life behind the scenes. While a lot of celebrity parents like to keep their children’s personal lives private, Katie often shares photos of Suri on her social media accounts. After all, she’s proud of the little girl and she’s not afraid to show how much she loves her fans and to the world.

5 Life In L.A. With Jamie Foxx

While no one knows what is in store for Katie Holmes and Jamie Foxx and their future, one thing is for certain: they are both happy and in love. What’s more, Suri seems to be very comfortable living in New York City with her mom or hanging out on the West Coast with Jamie Foxx and his family, too. One source close to the situation even told Us Weekly in an interview, "When Katie and Jamie are together, it works. It’s weird, but it’s what works for them.” And it’s not like anyone is in the position to question that, right?

4 Suri Has Her Mom's Personality

Form what fans can tell, Suri definitely has her mom’s personality. In other words, she’s not very concerned about designer dresses, the best accessories that money can buy or being the star of every show or red-carpet premiere in the business. As many fans know, Katie is not like that at all. Sure, she loves fashion and has great style, but she also likes to look casual and comfortable, especially when she’s out and about. She also doesn’t care what her critics have to say as the only thing on Katie’s mind is her own comfort. Both she and Suri can wear flip flops one day and look amazing in gorgeous gowns the next day, too.

3 A Puppy Named Honey

Every little girl needs a pet to take care of, love, and cherish during their childhood, right? Well, Katie Holmes knows just how important that is and that’s why she decided to get Suri her own little furry pet named Honey. And yes, she is just as adorable as she sounds! Both Katie and Suri can often be seen walking Honey on the streets of New York City. As a matter of fact, they like to pick up donuts, run errands or simply go to the park to hang out with friends with their cute little fur baby. We are pretty sure Honey loves the cuddles she gets from her family.

2 Suri Can Always Rely On Her Mom

While there will be plenty of people who will come and go in Suri’s life, there’s one person who will always be a stable fixture in her life, and that’s her mother, Katie Holmes. After all, they’ve already gone through so much together, especially with the very public separation between Katie and her ex, Tom Cruise. Despite all of the headlines and the media reports, no one will pull these two down. Suri knows that she can always rely on her mother, for better or for worse. After all, it’s part of Katie’s job to make sure that Suri is always safe, sound and most importantly, well looked after.

1 What’s Next For Katie And Suri

With all of that being said, it does seem like Katie Holmes and Suri Cruise are taking things day by day. They love their life in the Big Apple. Katie doesn’t seem to be as concerned with the paparazzi and the media as she used to be. She’s adapted to their new normal and accepted the fact that being a celebrity is just who she is and that no matter what she does or where she goes, Katie Holmes will always make media headlines. The best thing about it is that Katie has managed to take everything in stride and will continue to do so in the future.

Sources: people.com, usweekly.com, hellomagazine.com, vanityfair.com, hollywoodreporter.com, intouchweekly.com