Desperate Housewives star Felicity Huffman is no stranger to the awards circuit with an Emmy, an Obie, a Golden Globe, an Independent Spirit Award, and two Screen Actors Guild awards on her mantle…not to mention countless nods including an Academy Award nomination for Transamerica.
A true modern mom to two young girls (Sofia, 6, and Georgia, 4), the actress, author and entrepreneur tells us about the one award that she never expected.
Lolita: What’s your definition of a Modern Mom?
Felicity: I’ll start with my definition of an old-fashioned mom: a mom who puts the needs of everyone else above hers to her own detriment. A modern mom respects herself and honors her needs on par with those of her family.
Lolita: What’s your secret to balancing career and family?
Felicity: Honestly, I don’t have one. I rush from one thing to another and have a lot of guilt…I’m still striving to find that balance. But, I will say that having great, reliable childcare is essential and I’m thankful that I can have caregivers who have been with us since our girls were born. For any mom, solid childcare — whether it’s a babysitter, a relative, or daycare — makes all the difference. And, my husband, Bill, is amazing too…he travels a lot for work, but when he’s here, he’s HERE.
Lolita: What did your parents teach you about parenting?
Felicity: My mom raised me and gave me the gift of fun and pleasure. She showed me how to enjoy every moment. Another great gift was that she didn’t make motherhood out to be the best thing in the world…she was honest about how tough it can be. I can always call her and say, “It’s so hard!” and not feel bad about it.
Lolita: What do you want to teach your daughters, Sofia and Georgia?
Felicity: I want them to have a strong sense of self…that they can always listen to and rely on.
Lolita: What’s your favorite family activity?
Felicity: Tickling on the couch! And we sing a lot…Bill plays the ukulele or the guitar and we sing together. We also love to take long walks in our neighborhood.
Lolita: Who do you admire most?
Felicity: My mom. Maya Angelou, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, Oprah. And Cate Blanchett for her astounding talent and skill…I’d do craft services (serving meals on movie sets) just to work with her!
Lolita: What is your greatest achievement?
Felicity: Actually, I won a Good Housekeeping Excellence award last year for my Head’s Up Comfort Pillow – a pillow I created when my girls were young. My neck hurt when I’d rock them in the glider and pillows would always slide down, so out of frustration and sleep-deprivation, I pulled out my sewing machine and made myself a pillow that stayed put. We put it on the market about a year ago and then Good Housekeeping gave us this award! It was so thrilling!
Winning an Obie (off-Broadway award); and winning the Golden Globe and being nominated for an Academy Award for Transamerica also rank high…along with marrying Bill Macy (aka actor William H. Macy).
Lolita: What product(s) can’t you live without?
Felicity: Truly, my pillow when the girls were younger…I needed it so badly I created it! I still love my glider in their room. Our sound machine that instantly settles us down wherever we are. And, Kate Somerville’s Kate in a Jar.
Lolita: What do you do when you’re feeling selfish?
Felicity: I read and drink tea in bed.
Lolita: What’s keeping you busy these days?
Felicity: Promoting the Head’s Up Pillow — not because I think I’ll make a gazillion dollars, but because I feel that everyone needs to know about products that help moms and I really think every mom should have one.
I wrote a book with my best friend, Patricia Wolfe: A Practical Handbook for the Boyfriend (Hyperion) which comes out next week, so we’re busy with that.
And of course, my family and Desperate Housewives always keep me busy.
Source: Modern Mom
