Stefanie Wilder-Taylor is my new favorite mom. Funny. Smart. So hot she must be anorexic. What's not to love? Asked on the Today Show not too long ago whether it was OK for a mom and dad to split a beer in front of their kids, she said something close to, "I think a husband and wife should have their own beer."
If by own, she meant thirty six, then we're on the same page. Still, it was pretty funny -- the Today Show cast could be heard cackling in the background.
It turns out Wilder-Taylor, author of the classic parenting tome "Sippy Cups are Not for Chardonnay," had a whirlwind few weeks following the show. She won praise from parents who think it's just fine to mix playdates with an occasional drink and got a book deal out of the whole thing.
Good for her. If her new book, "Nap Time is the New Happy Hour," is anything like her first, I can't wait for it to come out (April '08 baby!) -- especially if she tells all about her brief relationship with Today Show host Meredith Viera.
The following is a Strollerderby conversation -- similar to Charlie Rose, just with more alcohol:
1. You were just on the Today Show defending a mother's right to have a play date drink. I'm not naming names, but I know some people who cheered you on -- but it's a touchy subject. What was the reaction? Besides landing a book deal about naptime cocktails, I mean ...
The fact that it's a touchy subject is insane to me. A drink or two and we mothers are not capable of taking care of our children? What's next; we do a little smack and suddenly child services is breathing down our necks? Seriously, I thought it was obviously that I wasn't advocating drinking and driving but relaxing with a drink or two on a lazy Sunday and being judged for it seems a bit harsh. And judge all you want, women are doing it in droves. FYI: Naptime is the Real Happy Hour has nothing to do with drinking while your kids sleep. It just means that as moms (and dads) our schedules are turned so upside down that our real downtime is while the kids are sleeping.
2. Did Matt Lauer hit on you? Come on, we won't tell.
Did Matt Lauer hit on me? That's like asking if Britney Spears like Coca cola. Of course he did. I can't even count the stares and come hither looks and gestures for me to write down my number so he could call me...or he was just chatting with him make-up lady and I'm psychotic. You decide.
3. You took a lot of heat in your first book for, gasp, saying it's OK not to breastfeed -- what can we expect from your second parenting book?
Well, hopefully only the die hards are breast feeding their toddlers and they will have no use for a book like mine because clearly they have no sense of humor. I think that making the decision to not breast feed or quit breast feeding is an extremely difficult and emotionally wrought process. I only hoped to tell my story and let women know that as long as they are doing the best they can for their child they are way ahead of the game.
4. Why do you hate children?
Because they're really young and you can't swear around them.
5. OK, OK -- back to drinking. It just struck me that both of your books are about alcohol, or at least prominently promote it. Some of your Amazon reviewers have suggested you might be headed down the Lindsey Lohan track -- what say you? And what say your
in-laws?
Oh yes, people have outright called me an alcoholic. I think the drama of drinking is far more interesting than actually being wasted. I always think of a cocktail as being something I associate with being an adult and having a child takes part of that away. Truth be told, I do enjoy a glass or four of wine when the kid's in bed and, obviously, I'm drinking right now while answering these questions.
6. Seriously, how about Meredith? I hear she's "handsy."
Meredith has obvious lesbian tendencies. If you have TiVo, and happened to record my segment just pause it at the longing looks she was throwing my way. We went on a few dates after the show but to be honest, no chemistry.
7. On your personal blog, you wrote a great essay about a flight with your daughter and how, at the end of it, you ended up not liking her. I think it's a common feeling at times, but one that rarely gets aired in public. Are you worried at all about being "too" open with your parenting feelings, on your blog or in books, and that one day your daughter might read them?
I think about it. But one thing I've always been is honest. I know for a fact that other people feel the way I do and if they want to vilify me for saying or writing it out loud so be it. But isn't that what a blog is for? And are any of us perfect parents? And what the fuck is a perfect parent? Something I wish I never had a kid. It last about 20 seconds but it comes into my head. Parenting is hard. We all know that. When other people write honest blog entries, that's what keeps me blogging. So guess what. If you don't like it, don't read it.
8. Isn't that what Zoloft is for?
Zoloft only helps so much. Maybe I need to up my dosage. I do believe in pharmaceuticals perhaps because my mother is/was a therapist.
9. So you used to be a TV writer -- which shows? Would we recognize any of the episodes?
They are all embarrassing show. Just IMDB me and have a laugh. My favorite show was Blind Date but I worked with all men who assumed that women are whores who just want it. We didn't get along all that well. Whose Line is it Anyway? was a blast and all those guys are friendly as hell, talented as hell and never knew what was going to be thrown at them.
10. How do you fit all that writing in during the day anyway? Kids have naps and meals and cocktail playdates of their own. What's your routine.
It changes all the time. I go crazy. Sometimes I have a nanny 4 days a week. Sometimes only two and I have to write at night. I used to write during her naps but naps are so inconsistent these days it's nearly impossible. I'm hanging on until preschool and until then I do it in bits and spurts.
Thanks for taking the time. We're looking forward to the next book!
