Kathy Ireland passes on love of reading to kids

Kathy Ireland passes on love of reading to kids
American Baby magazine talked to supermodel-turned-entrepreneur Kathy  Ireland about motherhood and her kids, Erik, 12, Lily, 8, and Chloe,  4.  She has partnered with Family Reading Night, a campaign that  encourages families to turn off the TV one night a week and read  together instead. Her children's books include Mona's Favorite Words,  What Do Mommies Do, and An Angel Called Hope. Forbes Magazine has called Kathy's corporation, Kathy Ireland  Worldwide, a “design empire which grosses over one billion dollars  annually in retail sales.”  Their products include flooring, rugs,  home furniture, office and entertainment furniture, lighting,  decorative accessories, window coverings, bedding, mattresses,  candles, apparel, jewelry, blankets, hand painted porcelain, fire  resistant products and bedding.  She has said,

The mission  statement of my company, Kathy Ireland Worldwide, is to find  solutions for families, especially busy moms. I'm reaching out to  busy moms because that's what I am. That's what I know, and I know  this woman has been underserved. And I believe that all moms are  working moms – whether they get a paycheck or not."

Why did she get involved with Family Reading Night? I felt it was really important to pass my love of books on to my kids  as early as possible, so I read to them every night before bed.  If  your kids can appreciate your love of reading, they will try to  emulate that, and they will end up doing better in school- and in life. Besides her love of reading, what has she passed on to her children? I try to get creative and think of physical activities we can do  together as a family - on p- this way the kids are establishing good  exercise habits early on.  We take hikes, go swimming, or go to the  track near our house.  Usually I'll put Chloe in the jogging  stroller, and the other two will either run or ride their bikes.    Everyone can go at their own pace, but I never lose sight of them-  because we're running in a circle!

As the mom to three kids, what is her best pregnancy advice? Don't get stressed out and anxious and don't let doctors cause undue  anxiety.  Seek out second opinions (I say this as someone married to  a doctor!) and ask lots of questions, so you can make the most  informed decision for your health- and your baby's. How does she juggle her busy schedule? I try not the fit the children in around my schedule. Instead, I try  to work around theirs.  I always ask, "What's a good day for you? Do  you have homework or plans with your friends already?" It shows them  that they're your priority.

What other parenting advice can she offer? I love having one-on-one time with each of my kids, especially as  they get older and their personalities really start to come out. You  don't need a whole day, and it doesn't have to be an elaborate  expensive activity. When Erik was 5, he wanted to play in the mud in  front of our house, after a big rainstorm. He looked just like a  little piggy, covered in mud from head to toe, and he said, "Mom,  this is the best day of my whole life." I treasure that memory.

Source: American Baby magazine, June 2007, americanbaby.com

Do you and your children read together?

Published 5/30/07 by


Celebrity Baby Blog

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