Q: What about your children makes you laugh?
A: Both of my boys are total hams. They create goofy voices and slip into crazy characters to get me to giggle ... à la Jim Carrey.
Q: What is your favorite family ritual?
A: I started singing to my boys at bedtime when they were both babies. Now they share a room and both request songs every night. Among their current favorites are "Castle on a Cloud" from Les Misérables and "My Favorite Things" from The Sound of Music. Julie Andrews I am not, but they don't seem to mind. "When the dog bites ... when the bee stings"—those lyrics always seem to get a smile.
Q: What was your most frazzled mom moment?
A: Austin was almost 2, and we were flying home from Vail, Colorado. He had gotten an ear infection while on our trip. The plane ride home caused him so much discomfort and pain [that] he cried inconsolably the entire flight. No matter how much rocking or walking up and down the aisle, the poor guy couldn't get comfortable. I'll never forget the stares and glares from the other passengers.
Q: What parenting issue do you and your partner disagree most about?
A: Movies like The Dark Knight and Transformers. I think they're too violent for the little dudes, but their dad doesn't see the harm.
Q: What is your parenting role: good cop or bad cop?
A: Good cop.
Q: What do you wish you had done before you had children?
A: I wish I had traveled through Europe for a good year to live, work, and play. I spent a week in Barcelona a few years ago, and I am dying to return. I can't go back in time, so my goal is to pack up the kids and take them with me in the future!
Q: What is a typical Saturday morning in your house like?
A: The longer Austin and Arion can stay in their jammies, the happier they are. Saturday mornings usually mean pancakes, bacon, and fresh fruit followed by lazy play in the backyard. They collect snails. I sip my coffee and enjoy the sun on my face.
Q: What was your mom most right about?
A: My mom was a single working mother as well. Although there is guilt associated with being away from our children, she explained to me the benefits of our kids being exposed to different caregivers and having multiple, varied experiences ... versus being so attached to just "Mom." She was right. Both of my kids are very social and well-adjusted. I think that is, in part, because they don't live in a protective little bubble at home with just me.
WHAT'S YOUR...
...guiltiest pleasure?
Sleeping past 7 a.m.
...ideal getaway?
Private island. Sand and surf. Maid service would be nice!
...favorite clothing item?
I bought some black leather L.A.M.B. sandals for summer. They're very rock 'n' roll and stylish, but most of all ... comfortable!
...current reading material?
Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson. My aunt started a family book club of sorts ... and this is our first joint read. Cousins, aunts, uncles, my grandpa—we're all joining in.
What's your preference:
...chocolate or cheese?
Chocolate. But cheese is a very close second.
...cook at home or eat takeout?
It's somewhere in the middle. At home it's a lot of grilled chicken and turkey burger. If it's takeout, it's usually sushi. The boys have squid and octopus at least once a week. I, on the other hand, could eat salmon sashimi for every meal and be a happy woman.
...coddle your tot or let him cry it out?
When my boys were babies, I would coddle. But now that they're both older, I let them cry it out in hopes of teaching them to work through their emotions on their own.
