We all know those moms who seem to do it all while always looking impeccably stylish and put together. Meet the queen bee of those moms, Lyss Stern. As the brains behind Divalysscious Moms, this mother of two has helped fellow New York City mommies stay perfectly poised and chic. In her new book, If You Give a Mom a Martini, Stern shares her favorite tricks for reclaiming a little more time for yourself. (Still, it's nice to know that even she has had a few frazzled-mom-moments of her own.)
Q: What about your children makes you laugh?
A: Everything! My boys are absolute characters. Every day is a new adventure. Watching Oliver learn new words and giggle when he says them makes me laugh out loud. And I look forward to indulging Jackson in his latest obsessions, whether we are role-playing Batman scenes or singing songs with Jeff Wiggle. My house is never quiet. The door is always open, and there is always plenty of singing and laughter.
Q: What is your favorite family ritual?
A: I enjoy spending quiet time with my kids. We cuddle in bed at night and read bedtime stories. Right now, Oliver's favorite book is Ollie the Stomper by Olivier Dunrea. Jackson and I are reading the children's version of Listen to the Wind by Greg Mortensen, but I can always grab his attention with anything that has to do with Batman!
Q: What was your most frazzled mom moment?
A: I've had my share—but my earliest memory of one is when Jackson was a few months old, and we were heading out for an early start to the Hamptons. Brian was going to meet us there, and I felt confident doing this on my own. I had my cell phone in one hand, Jackson's diaper bag in another, and a venti Starbucks to get me through the drive. Somehow the diaper bag ended up on the roof of the car and stayed there for several blocks until someone was kind enough to point it out to me at a stoplight!
Q: What parenting issue do you and your partner disagree most about?
A: Discipline. It's hard for me to punish my kids, especially when I have a fabulous day planned! I can't bear to see them miss some of the "once in a lifetime" events I can attend with them. I guess I'm not the best disciplinarian for selfish reasons ... I love spending time with my boys.
Q: What is your parenting role: good cop or bad cop?
A: I am usually the good cop, but I am working on becoming more of a united front with Brian, so we give the boys a more consistent idea of what the answer will be no matter which one of us they ask.
Q: What do you wake up in the middle of the night thinking about?
A: I usually wake up around 3 a.m. thinking, Where did all of the blankets go? or This bed isn't big enough for three people! because Jackson sneaks into our bed in the middle of the night.
Q: What do you wish you had done before you had children?
A: I can't really think of anything. I was ready to have kids when I did, and I wouldn't go back and change a thing, because anything I do going forward I get to share with them.
Q: What is a typical Saturday morning in your house like?
A: Wake up around 7 a.m., make breakfast (the kids love waffles). The kids watch cartoons (they both love Yo Gabba Gabba), and then we start our day as if it were a school day, but without the rush of getting to school.
Q: What was your mom most right about?
A: Everything, but most important, that your siblings are the best part of your life. They are the ones that will be there for you no matter what, when friends may come and go. So be nice to your brothers and sisters—they may be the only ones in the end who care. My sister Samantha is my very best friend!
WHAT'S YOUR...
...guiltiest pleasure?
Anything crème brulée and gummy candies.
...ideal getaway?
I've been trying to escape to India; it just hasn't happened yet.
...favorite clothing item?
Yoga pants.
...current reading material?
My newest issue of Cookie magazine, of course, and Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. I am also a fashion-magazine junkie. You can find me every week buying up all the latest and greatest. I can lose myself in the pages of accessories, shoes, and the newest celeb looks!
What's your preference:
chocolate or cheese?
Chocolate, for sure!
cook at home or eat takeout?
A mix of both. I'm not a great cook, but do love to bake!
coddle your tot or let him cry it out?
A little of both, but more cry it out—I hope it makes them tough.
