10 Questions: CNN's Soledad O'Brien
In our weekly column "10 Questions," I interview an inspirational mom about how she balances her family, career and self.
This week, we profile CNN's Soledad O'Brien, a modern mom balancing a thriving career as one of America's top news anchors along with her four children under the age of six.
Lolita: What is a Modern Mom?
Soledad: A mother who can multi-task and juggle numerous things...and do it without driving herself crazy and cracking. She is a mom who loves her children fiercely but understands that she is a person too with goals and dreams and desire. We all know that a happy, fulfilled mom is the best mom of all.
Lolita: What's your secret to balancing career and family?
Soledad: There's no secret except to not strive for real balance. I set a low bar on the things that don't matter, and I set a high bar for the things that do matter spending lots of time with my kids and husband. It's about being flexible and understanding that we are all human and make mistakes and there are limits to what we can accomplish in 24 hours. Get off your own back!
Lolita: What do you want to teach your children?
Soledad: One of the great things about working at CNN is that I cover what happens in our country and around the globe, part of my job is to connect the dots between what goes on here and happens overseas. I want my children to understand that in this day and age we are all citizens of the world and we have to think outside of our own lives and be respectful of others.
Lolita: Favorite thing to do with your family?
Soledad: Just to run around in the yard, play ball and be together.
Lolita: What did your parents teach you about parenting?
Soledad: It's OK to be strict. That kids, as much as they fight against rules, they really want them and need them. It takes a lot more time and effort to teach children good manners, but in the long run it is really worth it.
Lolita: What is your greatest achievement?
Soledad: Truly it is my four healthy children. And I am very blessed and grateful.
Lolita: Who is your role model?
Soledad: My sister Maria who has 7 kids; all of my older sisters who juggle motherhood and work and who do it all very well.
Lolita: What do you do when you're feeling selfish?
Soledad: What I'd like to do is spend a day at the spa - but what I actually do is run across the street and get a manicure in less than 20 minutes.
Lolita: What product can't you live without?
Soledad: My Blackberry and Vaseline because it's the best diaper rash preventor I know.
Lolita: What's keeping you busy these days?
Soledad: I'm working on a book about the importance of family and raising your own children. And in November I'm heading Chad, Africa to do a series on the refugee crisis happening due to the situation in Darfur.
Soledad O'Brien anchors American Morning with Miles O'Brien. Based in New York, O'Brien began anchoring CNN's flagship morning program in July 2003 when she joined the network. Since that time, O'Brien has attracted new viewers to the show as well as securing exclusive interviews.
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