Does this woman have super organizational powers?
I have a love/hate relationship with Cookie magazine. On one hand, I appreciate their overall concept—to offer content that balances the needs/wants of both parents and children. I enjoy casually browsing through a spread of office-ready outfits, as much as I like their fun suggestions for kids’ books and music.
That being said, it’s hard to believe their fashion editor thinks the average parent can afford a $559 tote bag, or would be crazy enough to buy a $187 silk, Marc Jacobs jumpsuit for a 4-year old. But I get it—this is a glossy, Condé Nast publication. Cookie is more about inspiration than reality.
Still, after reading the May issue’s Smart Cookie: Mother of Invention, a section that features savvy entrepreneurs and parents, I was ready to throw Cookie out the window.
May’s Mother of Invention features a Beverly Hills mom and high-end designer named Kelly Wearstler—best known for her hosting gig on Bravo’s Top Design. According to the article, Wearstler took it upon herself to makeover her son’s classroom, which she says, felt like a closet.
The writer does her best to make Wearstler appear just like you or me, citing that the designer—despite her busy work schedule—drives the boys 90-minutes round trip from Beverly Hills to their school in Los Angeles each day. And after all that driving, she still takes time to have dinner with her family.
And maybe Wearstler really is an über-mother. I’m sure she doesn’t have extra help at the house or a driver. I mean, when you’re working on hotel projects in Miami and Anguilla, plus designing a home-linens collection for Neiman Marcus, you wouldn’t need those perks, right?
So, I’m able to suspend belief until the part of the article that discusses Wearstler’s organizational tips for parents:
“Just try to have a place for everything,” she advises. “If you’re organized, your kids will be organized,” she adds with a laugh, perhaps realizing how hopelessly high her standards may be. “My boys know they’re not supposed to mess up the house.”
This tidbit struck a chord. In my former life without children, I was very organized. Now I try my best, but really, it’s hard—even with neat shelving units from IKEA for my kids’ toys. So, I’m having trouble relating to the Mother of Invention at this point.
Wearstler’s boys are 2-plus years older than my own children. And maybe 5 and 6 year olds have organizational skills that are highly developed. I don’t know. But at 2 and 3, my children don’t really care if the house is organized or not. Sure, Lauren recognizes that I like a clean house. In fact, just last week, while Ted was shampooing our bedroom carpet to remove a pee stain, she beamed at me and said, “Daddy is making Mommy happy!” But will she pee on the floor again? Probably.
And I’ll admit it. Maybe I’m a little jealous of Wearstler. If her boys are really that organized, than she’s more than just the Mother of Invention. She should be Mother of the Year.
