Melissa McCarthy and Sandra Bullock have done their share of funny films, but they both say it’s refreshing to do a female version of the buddy-cop films that have been so successful over the years.

The duo formed a bond while shooting “The Heat”, and director Paul Feig–who also directed “Bridesmaids” says their continued friendship is rare. For them, it’s about connecting over the important things.

“Having kids connected us on a deeper level,” Bullock said. “And the things we’re obsessed with outside of being a mom are the same, too: construction and house renovation…. We’re kindred spirits in that world. If we had a beer den, with Barcaloungers—but our version of that—it’d be great.”

For the working moms, sometimes guilt over leaving the kids at home gets in the way. But both women say they make an effort to shield their children from the intensity that Hollywood life can bring. For Bullock, that means keeping the paparazzi to a minimum. As for McCarthy, she says it’s about surrounding herself with a solid friend structure.

”Strangers shouldn’t be allowed to take a picture of your child and sell it for profit,” she says. “They think, ‘We’re putting out a product,’ but you’re putting out a child….Ben and I have absolutely nothing to do with the Hollywood that’s all actors and the Sunset Strip. We crave talking to people who do different things and are passionate about it. We have some of the most rock-solid, lovely friends in the world.”