Life As A Working Mom

Hard But Not Impossible

When I think about what it was like being a working mom, it's hard to believe I pulled it off. I think my ability to manage it came down to my personality more than anything. I don’t think about things until I’m doing them, but I also try to be really practical and stay organized. It also helps to have a support system.

I was really lucky to still be able to do the things that mattered most to me while working, like school drop-offs, conferences, soccer games, and performances. I was also fortunate to bring my kids with me when I traveled for shoots. My husband, who loves to travel, was always gung-ho about joining, even if it meant bringing a few kids (and some nephews) along with us.

I've been able to bring my sons to tons of location shoots, fashion shows, dinners, and Christmas parties. I have countless pictures of them as babies with models, editors, photographers, and celebrities. I'm so glad I captured those moments. It wasn’t always easy having them there, but looking back, you forget the challenges and remember the good times.

I remember bringing my two older boys to Florida for a shoot for Young Miss magazine with model Niki Taylor. One of my sons got sick with an ear infection, so my husband took him down on the train and met me there.

Another time I took one of my sons to Florida for a shoot with Italian Vogue. It was at Mar-a-Lago with models Eva Herzigova, Yasmine Ghauri and Helena Christensen. I somehow got a photo of Eva holding him on set. That was really a fun memory.

When I had my third son, I was all in—three kids and commuting to work. I eventually started working from home on Mondays and Fridays, and my teams would come out to work with me. This setup gave me time in the mornings for school drop-offs, some exercise, and the chance to be there to pick the kids up from school.

I loved every second of being a working mom, and I still love it now with grown children. I enjoy getting their advice and opinions on projects and new ventures. I’ve always relied on their input—and they are all very opinionated boys. I have no regrets and would do it all over again. In fact, if I did it again, I’d probably add a fourth kid!

Here are a couple of hacks I figured out to make my life a little easier.

1. I used to prep dinner on Sundays by buying a cooked organic chicken from Whole Foods, shredding it, and storing it in a container. I’d steam broccoli and store that, keep frozen peas in the fridge, grate fresh parmesan, and have Rao’s sauce and pasta ready. This way, I had quick meals from Monday to Wednesday, and if there was extra chicken, I could turn it into taco night.

2. For birthday parties, buy gift certificates from a local bookstore or toy store and keep them stocked at home. That way, you support local businesses and never have to rush out for a last-minute gift.

3. Lastly, I recommend meeting with the principal on the first day of school to find out when teacher conferences and the holiday singalong are scheduled. This way, you can plan ahead and adjust your work calendar accordingly.