1.How many kids do you have and what are their ages?
I have six kids, which even I find shocking! They are almost 16, 14, 8, 7, 6 and 4.
- How long have you lived in Short Hills/Millburn/Livingston and what made you decide to live here?
I grew up here in Short Hills and I am a proud graduate of Millburn High School. I moved back here in 2007 and am so glad I did. Most of my family still lives locally, and they are the main reason we are here- but I do love this town for the proximity to New York, the great schools, the smart people who live here, and the memories this place holds for me. It’s a much better town in many ways than it was when I grew up here, not least of which because people are here from all over the world and it makes our community much more diverse and interesting.
3.Tell us about your business and what other local things you are involved in! And how did you get started?
I am a host of the podcast CALL YOUR MOTHER – it’s a true labor of love that I fought to get out there and I am delighted to put it into the world every week. We interview awesome people about that connection between being a parent and a person. We’ve talked to famous actors and comedians, moms who became addicted to opioids, moms who lost a child and moms who struggled to have them. I know I’m biased, but it’s a great podcast (and you should subscribe- it’s free!). I am a journalist and lawyer by training, so the interview format comes easily to me- plus I regularly interrogate my children, of course.
4.Favorite thing to do when you need “me time”?
I love reading and writing. Reading is more relaxing, though, and I devour books the way I would love to devour Ben and Jerry’s.
5.Favorite place for dinner with kids?
With a family this size, we really don’t go out much (you’re welcome, everyone within a 20 mile radius!). But if we did, I’d say Arturo’s in Maplewood.
6.Most enjoyable place to hang out?
My house or my parents’ house, but that sounds boring. I could happily get locked in either The Book House or Words bookstores, and Pickett’s Village Bar has the best margarita around. We really need a bookstore with margaritas, actually.
7.How do you balance your career and being a mom?
I am a very ambitious person and have had to curb my ambitions in order to have the kind of family life I want. I struggle with that a lot and have found interesting ways to balance the competing needs of ambition and family. Being New York bureau chief of the Jerusalem Post, for example, worked well when I only had kids in elementary school — since due to the time difference, I had to file my stories to Israel by 3 pm our time and then could be home with my boys. But it didn’t work so well with babies, unfortunately. My schedule now is palatable, but I would really like to be getting my name and work out there more, so that’s a struggle.
8.Proudest mommy moment(s)?
Is this when you’re proud of yourself as a mom? Because I pat myself on the back all the time for what might seem like minimal things: “YOU REMEMBERED TO GET ALL THE CHILDREN! GO YOU!”
9.Can’t believe that happened mommy moment!
When my then-three-year-old son, thrilled to meet Cinderella at Disney World, ran to her to give her a hug- and then threw up all over her.
10.Best advice you have gotten from a mom?
My mom gives great advice every day, whether I ask for it or not, so I am very fortunate. It’s always good, though. I would say that when she told me that I couldn’t let Jon (my then boyfriend, now husband) see what a slob I am until we got engaged? That was a piece of great advice.
11.Best piece of advice you can give other moms!
Only you can be your kid’s mom, so enjoy it! And I would say your biggest job is to encourage your kid to become her truest, independent self. Everything else is commentary.
12.One thing people would be surprised to know about you…
That there is actually stuff people don’t know about me! (I’m a big social media sharer!)