This spring, Soledad O'Brien will host the first annual Smart Cookie Awards, which will honor mothers who have made outstanding contributions to women's and children's causes. O'Brien co-anchors American Morning, CNN's flagship morning program. Since joining the network in July 2003, she has covered Hurricane Katrina, the London terrorism attacks, and the tsunami. She and her husband, Brad Raymond, live in New York City with their four kids: Sophia, 6, Cecilia, 4, and twins Jackson and Charlie, 2.
Cookie: How long does your morning routine take, from wake-up to out-the-door?
Soledad: Ohhhh I'm embarrassed to admit—less than five minutes! I throw on clothes, brush my teeth, and run out the door—hair a big mess, wearing jeans and boots, usually.
Cookie: How much sleep do you get each night?
Soledad: Not enough. The boys just started sleeping through the night, so it's gotten better. But I'd say six hours a night on a great night, and four to five most of the time.
Cookie: What are your guilty pleasures?
Soledad: Pralines and cream from Baskin Robbins (right around the corner from my apartment—how convenient!). I am a Murder, She Wrote freak. I eat a Snickers bar for breakfast every morning, and despite numerous efforts to quit drinking coffee, I drink a ton—I can't help it, I get up at 3 a.m.!
Cookie: So how many cups are we talking about?
Soledad: Well, I usually don't drink the full cup—I have a few sips and refill constantly while we're on the air. So I'd guess three cups in the morning. Then, no more caffeine.
Cookie: How do you stay on top of the news?
Soledad: I watch everything: All the competition in the morning, all the evening newscasts. And I read transcripts of interviews I'm interested in if I can't watch the whole show. The Internet has made it so easy to stay on top of the news. And I carry a couple of papers around in my handbag to read on the subway.
Cookie: What books are on your night table?
Soledad: Ha, this is a joke, right? If I didn't actually fall asleep trying to read for pleasure after I plow through my reading for work, I'd tackle Michael Eric Dyson's new book, Debating Race. And my girlfriend Veronica Chambers just wrote Kickboxing Geishas, and I'm reading that (not in bed, but when I commute anywhere). Both are great, great, great.
Cookie: How do you and your husband divide up the parenting responsibilities?
Soledad: We share. Everything. Really, the only "Brad" job is garbage at night, because I'm too tired to take it out. He likes to cook, but really can't during the week, so on weekends he makes feasts, and I clean up! I like doing the dishes. We are very much a team when it comes to discipline, and even when we disagree, we present a united front. I do the laundry. He can step over piles of toys; I tend to put them away.
Cookie: How many nights a week do you have dinner with your family?
Soledad: On a normal week, five at least. An abnormal week can be anything—I might not be eating dinner if I'm on the road. We almost always have family dinners on Saturday and Sunday, and the girls split the duty of saying grace. Although they tend to say, "I bless us oh Lord...."
Cookie: How many nights a week do you go out without the kids?
Soledad: This is another joke, right? I almost never go out for fun during the week. Maybe one night a week. On occasion I'll host an event, but I'll be home at 8:30. On Saturdays, Brad and I get a sitter and go out for a drink at the local bar to watch sports and just catch up.
Cookie: Do your children watch you on CNN?
Soledad: Yes, they watch. They are very interested in the stories—especially the tsunami and Hurricane Katrina. My daughter Sophia is in love with Bill Hemmer, who's on Fox now but was my partner not long ago. When he was on CNN, she'd scream if anyone blocked the television. She was very obsessed with Bill.
Cookie: What's the one thing you wish someone had told you before you had kids?
Soledad: How physically tough it is. I'm 40, and some days I feel 70. I pick up the boys so much—my back hurts, my arms hurt, my legs literally creak! I wish I'd known that I would never stop worrying about them. And if I'd known how much fun it was, I would have had kids earlier!
