Charlize Theron says her son is the "coolest kid ever".

The Hollywood star announced she had adopted a baby boy on her own last month. The tot is called Jackson and Charlize is thrilled to have become a mother.

"I've always been very honest in saying I wanted a family. I've always known I wanted a family," she told the latest UK edition of Vogue.

"I don't think my mom could wait any more! Jackson is incredible, the greatest gift. He is the coolest kid ever."

Charlize has already thought about how she wants to raise Jackson. She is in awe of her own upbringing by her mother Gerda and hopes to replicate how she felt growing up.

"I hope to be like my mom," she stated. "Fair, tough, loving and supportive. My mom has made it possible for me to be who I am."

The 36-year-old actress' childhood wasn't always idyllic though. Her father was an abusive alcoholic and was shot dead by her mom in 1991, in what was ruled to be self-defence.

Charlize has a great deal of respect for the support Gerda gave her when she decided to become a model and then an actress.

"Our family is everything. Her greatest skill was encouraging me to find my own person and own independence," she said.