Laurie Gelman, The Mom Show, Co-Host and mother of two

as told by Butterfly Co-Founder Bradi Nathan

Playgroup. By definition one would think that this is a group that plays. Jack was five weeks old when he attended his first playgroup ~ a gathering that could have been better described as a lay there like a latka group. Its the mothers that did the playing. We shared stories, frustrations and milestones every Wednesday until our babies grew into children that actually were able to play themselves. And eventually, playgroups turned into play-dates and play-dates turned into practices. Our latkas are now 9 years of age.

A part of me misses those Wednesdays and the experiences that we as mothers so intimately shared. I am envious of the Canadian moms who tune in to watch "The Mom Show" for a daily dose of playgroup on TV. Co-hosted by Laurie Gelman, mother of two sweet little girls,
"The Mom Show" explores the world of motherhood in its truest form. Laurie is joined by an audience of moms and their kids as she dishes on everything to do with being a mom, including fashion, marriage, sex (or the idea of sex) and men. Laurie and her co-host join a team of experts who provide candid advice on many hush topics on daytime TV.

Until many of you have the opportunity to migrate to Toronto to catch this Canadian Cable show, you can find a slice of Laurie here. In an exclusive interview with Butterfly, Laurie invites us into her own personal mom show.

BN: Where were you at in your career when you had your first daughter?

LG: I WAS WORKING AT CBS NEWS AS A POP CULTURE CORRESPONDENT FOR THE EARLY SHOW. I HAD SPENT MY 20'S WORKING MY WAY THROUGH LOCAL NEWS, AND MADE IT TO NYC AS THE CO-HOST OF FOX AFTER BREAKFAST. WHEN THAT WAS CANCELLED I SPENT A COUPLE OF YEARS AT GMA BEFORE GOING TO CBS. I WAS READY TO MAKE A CHANGE AND START A FAMILY.

BN: How did you alter your work schedule once you became a mother?

LG: I ALTERED IT BY TRAVELING A LITTLE LESS. IF I HAD TO GO OUT OF TOWN FOR A STORY I WOULD TRY TO COME BACK THE SAME DAY. I ALSO STARTED LEAVING EARLY - COULDN'T WAIT TO GET HOME!

BN: How difficult is it to juggle travel, the demands of your show and the needs of your family?

LG: VERY DIFFICULT. INSTEAD OF FEELING LIKE YOU'RE DOING WELL AT SOMETHING, YOU END UP FEELING LIKE A BAD MOTHER, A BAD EMPLOYEE AND A BAD WIFE. I WANT TO MEET THE WOMAN WHO HAS GOT THIS ONE ALL FIGURED OUT.

BN: What role does your husband play in that equation?

LG: MY HUSBAND IS SUCH A CHAMP. WHEN I'M AWAY HE REALLY TAKES UP THE SLACK BY TAKING THE TIME TO PICK THE GIRLS UP FROM SCHOOL AND TAKE THEM TO THEIR AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES. ITS TOUGH FOR HIM TOO BECAUSE HE HAS A VERY DEMANDING JOB (BN: on REGIS & KELLY) BUT HE NEVER COMPLAINS (WELL, ALMOST NEVER...THERE WAS THAT ONE TIME HE HAD TO DO SAFETY PATROL)

BN: Your family must be proud of all that you have achieved as a mother and a woman?

LG: HARD TO SAY WHAT MY BIRTH FAMILY THINKS BUT THE FAMILY I HAVE MADE WITH MY HUSBAND IS VERY PROUD OF ME.

BN: Do your girls ever make an appearance on your show?

LG: THE GIRLS HAVE BEEN FEATURED ON THE SHOW SINCE I HAVE BEEN DOING IT. WE HAVE A SEGMENT CALLED THE MOMMY MINUTE WHERE WE SHOW A BRIEF SLICE OF LIFE FROM OUR HOUSEHOLD. THE GRILS ARE ALWAYS IN THOSE. ITS GREAT TO SEE THE ONES FROM THE FIRST SEASON BECAUSE MISHA WAS JUST A BABY.

BN: What type of role model do you hope to be?

LG: CAN'T IMAGINE BEING A ROLE MODEL FOR ANYONE.

BN: What do your girls want to be when they grow up?

LG: JAMIE MY 7 YEAR OLD ANTS TO BE A PILOT AND MISHA MY 4 YEAR OLD WANTS TO BE A DRUMMER AND A SINGER. THIS OF C OURSE WILL CHANGE NEXT WEEK.

BN: If you could choose any path, professional or personal, for your kids to take, what would it be?

LG: SOMETHING THAT MAKES THEM AS HAPPY AS I AM AT WHAT I DO.

BN: What is the inspiration behind many of the topics discussed on The Mom Show?

LG: LETTERS FROM VIEWERS!! WE DON'T EVEN HAVE TO HAVE IDEA MEETINGS ANY MORE. THE MOMS WHO WATCH WRITE IN WITH TOPIC SUGGESTIONS ALL THE TIME.

BN: In what respect do you believe "The Mom Show" is helping mothers?

LG: NOT EVERYONE LIVES IN A CITY THAT HAS A GYMBOREE DOWN THE STR EET AND A MILLION MOMMY AND ME CLASSES. MANY WOMEN LIVE IN ISOLATED AREAS, SMALL TOWNS AND RURAL COMMUNITIES AND THEY SEE THE MOM SHOW AS THEIR PARENTING GROUP. THEY WATCH US AND FEEL CONNECTED. THE ONE MESSAGE WE HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO GET OUT IS "YOU ARE NOT ALONE" WE WANT THEM TO KNOW THAT EVERY MOM FEELS FRUSTRATED AND INADEQUATE. AND JUDGING BY THE FEEDBACK WE GET, OUR MISSION IS ACCOMPLISHED.

BN: Have there been any episodes that you wished you could do over? Are there any crazy mom moments that stand out?

LG: WE DID ONE ON SINGLE SEX COUPLES RAISING KIDS THAT I FEEL WE COULD HAVE DONE BETTER. EVERYONE WAS +!@#$FOOTING AROUND AND NO REAL QUESTIONS WERE ASKED. IT STILL BUGS ME.
WE'VE HAD SOME VERY INTERESTING MOMS ON - ONE MOM SAID HER BEST TIP FOR OTHER MOTHERS IS WHEN YOUR CHILD HAS A TUMMY ACHE, GIVE THEM COKE AND CHIPS BECAUSE THEY NEED LIQUIDS AND SALT. THERE WAS DEAD SILENCE FOR ABOUT 3 SECONDS WHILE WE ALL DIGESTED THAT ONE.

BN: How has your own mother or grandmother inspired you as a woman?

LG: MY GRANDMOTHER TAUGHT ME THE VALUE OF SAVING MONEY AND DOING THINGS QUICKLY AND EFFICIENTLY AND MY MOTHER TAUGHT ME THE IMPORTANCE OF NOT FORGETTING TO KEEP YOUR HUSBAND HAPPY TOO.

BN: What advice do you have for women who are trying to do it all?

LG: YOU CAN DO IT ALL, JUST DON'T EXPECT TO DO IT ALL WELL. ALSO, YOU ONLY HAVE A SHORT WINDOW IN YOUR CHILDRENS LIVES WHEN YOU HAVE INFLUENCE AND CONTROL SO TRY TO BE AROUND TO POINT THEM IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.


BN: What has been your best career highlight?

LG: DOING THE MOM SHOW LIVE IN FRONT AN AUDIENCE ON LOCATION IN CALGARY. WE USUALLY DO IT IN A STUDIO WITH NO AUDIENCE=2 0SO WALKING OUT ON THAT STAGE AND SEEING THE HUNDREDS OF LIVES WE HAD TOUCHED WAS INCREDIBLE.

BN: Whats up next for Laurie Gelman?

LG: HOW ABOUT "THE MOM SHOW"...THE U.S VERSION???


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