Kelly Rutherford, who stars in the hit TV show Gossip Girl, is a busy mom these days. She is a single mom to Hermes, 2, and Helena, 9 months. She is also the cover girl on the current issue of Working Mother. Here are the highlights from the interview:
On balancing her career with being a mom: Gossip Girl has an ideal schedule for a working mom. It’s an ensemble show, so I’m not in every scene, and I work two to three days a week. The show worked around my pregnancy with Helena by dressing me in big jewelry and big handbags—I think we started a fashion trend. We have three or four months off a year. I could be busier, but I want to be there for my kids.
On the pressure’s of today’s working pregnant mother: We work up until the last minute, whether we’re throwing up or not! Then we’re expected to give birth in two seconds or we get a C-section, because doctors are in a rush. We barely sleep the first months of our child’s life, but we’re expected to get back into our skinny jeans right away.
On the untold story of strain on a marriage after having a baby: Women often need their husband’s support more than they get it. It’s hard on the relationship. I saw red flags, but I was in love. We tried therapy. I stayed in the marriage as long as I could so that I could look at my son and say that I tried everything. I want Hermes to know that he’s loved in both homes. I tell him every day, “Papa loves you.”
On what she would tell woman who have the working-mom guilt: Figure out how you can help remedy the situation. Maybe it means making sure your baby is well cared for. You need to figure out what kind of mom you want to be and then find a way to be that mom. My mom worked, but it felt like she was always there for us.
On what kind of mom she wants to be: I want my children to know that they’re loved. When I’m with them, I’m fully present. I’ve noticed that when I get a phone call, suddenly things get louder in the house. So I call back later. Our kids want our attention—and they deserve it.
On a typical day for her: I have breakfast with my children, and I take Hermes to school. We may go to the park or to a playdate. When he wants to, he comes to the set. We love to dance to music. Hermes loves to be with his sister. We’ll have dinner and bathtime and cuddle while we watch Diego. We cuddle a lot—that’s what gets us through all of this.
On what it’s like being a single mom: I’m realizing what I’m capable of doing emotionally and physically—at 41 years old! It’s great. It gives my life as a mother a whole different meaning. I have more gratitude.
Photo Source: Celebrity Baby Scoop
