JEANNE YANG, stylist & designer
CHRISTINA HUTSON, fashion consultant
NADINE FERBER, Ten over Ten cofounder
s a mom of three boys, including twins, Julie Bowen (pictured on this page) would seem to know a thing or two about creating balance. But the actress admits that being a mom is “pure joy and pure challenge all the time.” During rare moments of calm, Bowen takes a “mental picture to file away,” and tells herself, “This is good. This is what it’s all about. It will never be better than this moment.”
One of the reasons Kelly and I decided to create The Glow was to explore this concept of balance—was it possible, and if so, how could we achieve it? What we found is that there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Bottom line: Making time to devote your whole heart to multiple roles—individual, partner, and mother—can feel overwhelming at times. Jemima Kirke, mom of two, artist, and actress, explains, “In order of importance: 1. Self, 2. Marriage, 3. Child. Of course all are important, but neglecting the one before is a disservice to the one after.” In a similar vein, makeup artist Pati Dubroff lives by this common sense rule: “Just like in the safety instructions you’re given when flying, it’s important to first give yourself the life vest and oxygen before helping others.”
In this chapter we explore the beautiful yet complex journey of the working mother—from stylist Jeanann Williams’s nanny-envy to the nightly mother-daughter routine actress Constance Zimmer swears by. These multitasking moms reveal their struggles and the secrets to maintaining their most meaningful relationships without losing themselves along the way.
“The best moment of my life was when my ladies were born, and it’s only gotten better.”
—Jeanne Yang, STYLIST & DESIGNER
Leslie Fremar, STYLIST
“Having kids exposes your vulnerabilities and, if you can get comfortable in that space, the experience can be so tender and heartbreaking in its bittersweet quality.”
—Ali Bird, DIRECTOR OF THE WALL GROUP
“My husband and I are very open about our feelings towards each other, and hearing that you are loved and appreciated before you collapse into bed makes you realize that all is good.”—Ana Lerario-Geller
“Acceptance, laughter, and self-reflection are my secrets to a long-lasting relationship.”—Jeanine Lobell
“Being with my husband in situations where we are not judging each other as parents is very, very important!”—Leilani Bishop
“My advice for balancing motherhood and marriage: Make sure you shower. It’s important to still care about yourself and your appearance.”—Amy Smilovic
“Every night after we read books, we turn the lights off and talk about the day and say all the things that we are thankful for.” —Constance Zimmer
“I often envy our nanny—I wish I could spend my days in Ruby's world going on play dates, taking trips to the water park, watching her spin round and round in Tots and Tutus class. I don’t want to miss a thing. I always wonder, how many ‘firsts’ does she have in a day? It’s magical to be a part of that sense of discovery.” —Jeanann Williams
