As co-anchor of CNN’s American Morning, Soledad O’Brien is used to breaking news. But to keep disasters under control at home, this career mom balances mornings on air with evenings putting her little ones—Sofia, 5, Cecilia, almost 4, and 19-month-old twins Charlie and Jackson (below)—to bed. “As a working mother, you steal a lot of strategies from people and apply them to your own life,” says Soledad, who lives in New York with husband Brad Raymond. Her favorite tip? “My sister Maria has seven kids. The best piece of advice she gave me was to relax and try to remember to enjoy the process. When you have your first child, you’re very concerned that your baby will never sleep again. Now that I have four, as crazy and chaotic as my life is, I have a much better idea of what I’m doing and that makes it more enjoyable.”
Soledad shops for quality items that can withstand her kids’ active, and often messy, lives. “There are so few things I buy that are expensive—we spill, we drop, we roll around in mud and grass,” she laughs.
“The nice thing about twins is the constant companionship,” she says. “I’m looking forward to seeing that in action. Play is the two of them exploring things and growing together.”
SOLEDAD’S FAVES:
BabyBjörn Baby Carrier Air
“I love my BabyBjörn. The best thing is that your hands are free. I wish they would make one for twins.” $99.95, babybjorn.com
Chevrolet Suburban
“It’s the car that I grew up driving; it’s a great car. And in New York City, taxi drivers get out of your way.” 800.222.1020, chevrolet.com
Titan Deluxe Convertible Car Seat from Evenflo
“I try to find things that are going to have multiple lives.” $99.99, evenflo.com
