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For the first Eight By Eva of 2016, I was thinking I might included a Mother without whom the “Eva” of Happily Eva After would not be in existence– my very own, incomparable, lovely and amazing Susan Sarandon! She is an Actress, Activist, and Working-Mother of 3 grown children. And “Honey” to the little Miss Marlowe Mae. Even if some of her baby faves are a little dated (Her last baby was born in the early nineties!), I think that her parenting advice will surely stand the test of time. Without further ado, my Mama answers my eight favorite questions:
- What is the best parenting advice you have received?
When I got pregnant, nobody I knew was having kids. The only advice I got was to not have a baby!
- What is your greatest challenge as a parent?
Letting my grown kids make mistakes, and forgiving myself for not being perfect– especially when I had three kids under seven years old.
- What’s the latest with your kid(s)? Any new dynamics? Funny quirks? Challenges?
I found that once my kids got out of High School, their peers became less important and they embraced their authentic selves– the essence of who they were as children became stronger. Now the greatest challenge is for them to see each other, get to know each other as the people they are now– not the “annoying” siblings they knew. The older ones have to learn to listen instead of teaching. The younger have to look afresh at the older and they all have to look at their parents as flawed people who loved them and did their best. It’s time for them to teach me and I love it.
- What is your dream day as a family?
Hanging out doing something together with no stress. Laughing.
- Kid item you can’t live without?
My favorites were my clip on high chair for the table, and my pocket food grinder.
- Favorite local Kids’ activity?
The park, playground, coloring, and dancing.
- How do you unwind?
I exercise to unwind. I like boxing and bike riding, but when I’m really stressed I walk all the way to the tip of Southern Manhattan on the West Side Highway walking path. Day or night.
- What are your favorite beauty products?
L’Oreal Paris Day and Night Cream
Photograph via The Hollywood Reporter
Eva, tell your mom that she’s one of the greatest people who ever lived. I love everything about her.
Great site, love you and your mom. But I transcribe and proof for a living and there’s a typo in your first sentence.
Hi Eva,
Hopefully I won’t need any parenting tips anytime soon seeing as I’m 16 an have no plans on starring on MTV’s “Teen Mom”. I love your style and your authenticity that I think you inherited from your incredible mother. I am a huge Saranfan but I think “Safandon” makes more sense. Anyways I love your blog and I love all of your mother’s work both on and off the screen. It is no wonder you and your brothers are such fantastic people. It is my dream to meet Miss Susan as she is a huge inspiration to me. I’m loved what she said about finding your pure self after high school because I think teens (me) have a lot of trouble finding themselves without limiting themselves to a label or a certain niche. Love from Massachusetts wishing you a new year filled with sparkle, surprises and happy changes. Love, Julie. P.S if Miss Susan saw this I would be head over heels ecstatic.
Hi Julie!
HA- yes, I will concur that you do NOT need parenting tips right now! I’m glad that you found your way to this site anyway– and I hope you enjoy it! Glad my Mom’s words could inspire you in their own way! As somebody who survived High School, I can tell you myself that the best word I can offer you for that time period is this: PERSPECTIVE. It’s amazing how you feel when you look back on the experience from a great distance. I wish I had been able to approach every situation in High School with a little more perspective on what really mattered to me. You sound like you are well on your way to achieving that faster than I did, though!
I wish you all the best!
xoxo
EAM
What good is having a famous mom if you can’t even ask her eight simple questions? 🙂
I have just become a fan of your blog but am enjoying it very much. Its nice to see a young woman who is sure enough of herself to put both her perspective and insecurities in print. Best of luck. I look forward to reading many more enjoyable posts.
Eva, you’re so beautiful, smart, and one of my favorite actresses of my generation. Susan, you’re one of the women I always looked up to. A gifted actress, a tireless activist, and an open minded role model. I came from a very conservative family, so I always kept my politics to myself… At almost 31 I am more outspoken (in a kind fashion) and I look up to you even more now than ever!
Thank you for all your political work and all of your films (and current work)!
You both are an inspiration to so many women (and men).
I just wanted to say thank you to you both, truly thank you!
Beautiful picture.
A huge, huge fan of Susan! And how true her words are….with an older and younger sister, our relationship has changed since we’ve gotten older and now have our own families. And we saw the mistakes that were made, and try to avoid it with our own kids. Great post. Beautiful ladies, the both of you!