Heidi Klum the leggy, luscious supermodel, mama to four kids, wife to the hunky singer Seal and host of Project Runway is adding one more accolade to her illustrious list; host of a new Lifetime show Seriously Funny Kids. The show which will premiere on Tuesday, February 1 at 9pm ET/PT on Lifetime Television is an unscripted series which will feature Klum interacting with children and bringing out the hilarious and often insightful things they say.
Along with several other writers I had an opportunity to chat with Klum about motherhood, marriage and of course her new show. Keep reading for all the delicious deets!
So Heidi- tell us here at Married My Sugar Daddy, how do you keep your marriage sizzling?
Heidi Klum: You have to marry someone who you think is really hot- I look at my husband and he’s still hot and sexy. The other night we went to the Soho House-we came in separate cars. My husband walks in and I see him and I feel, wow that’s my man! I still get butterflies in my stomach when I see him. You have to marry a person who in your eyes, is hot and sexy.
I also think that you have to work on being hot for the other person. Exercising, eating right and keeping my body in shape I do it for myself but I also want to look good for my husband. I definitely don’t want to get out of bed and say to my husband don’t look at my butt!
How do you keep your marriage on track?
Heidi Klum:You just have to do it —like spring cleaning the house, or eating right- you have choices and it’s the same way with your marriage- when you say you want to do it we have four kids- but we love each other ad you have to make time for each other- sometimes tired and someone home to watch them- let’s run off together and have grownup time- and talk about grownup things- not just talk about tooth coming in and poop- obviously he wants to know about thing s and so do I- but you have to talk about grownup things- what vacation you want to go on- what was troubling me or him, fun things you want to do together.
Do you try to get one-on-one time with your husband without the kids?
Heidi Klum: We take a holiday with the family then we drop my kids off at my parents and we steal a little time away in London. I know it’s hard not everyone can have a nanny- and I love my parents get along great with husband- grandparents are so important- have so much more time for kids- great to go away and feel good about going away- I feel bad and miss them but it’s great to go out with my husband go to a club sleep in the next day and not have to do whole routine – sometimes a few days with your husband is exactly what your marriage needs-
When it comes to parenting what is one piece of advice?
Heidi Klum: Before you have kids- you need to know that your world is going to change you have to give more than you’ve ever given in your life- you have to take steps back— and be clear about what you’re doing—you need to be responsible for them and understand that before you go in.
Having kids I try to see it from the kid’s side—I have to stop myself sometimes- if I have a busy day and they’re on you- and sometimes I want to say not now- I have emails to answer. But when you’ve got kids you need to say I see my kids and put my stuff work aside and be there for them—because you’re all they got
They say you should never work with kids and animals… and on this show you’re working exclusively with kids.
Heidi Klum: I have to say it’s true- going into this I thought it was going to be much easier. Because I have four kids myself. But these kids are not my kids- so sometimes it takes me a bit longer to figure out who they are and what their story is. I can interview the kids before- in case there are subjects I should stay away from – or they’re really into dinosaurs, but sometimes when the camera is on—they just don’t tell the story.
They’re not actors-it’s very free conversations-with kids you have to be open minded and have to go with the flow. It’s also a really great opportunity to learn about how kids are seeing world.
I like to ask them questions, like what they think about adults- what is the most annoying thing about adults- do they think grownups are weird? And some of the kids will say “They’re on machines all the time.” I think kids are honest and of course their lies are quite funny- like they’re seeing the tooth fairy or they looked out of window and saw an angel. All in all- they’re innocent and not polluted with all the madness that we grownups are. Kids aren’t that calculated more honest- there’s no editing about what they say- with kids it’s in the head and two seconds later it’s out the mouth!
What do you do with your kids at home?
Heidi Klum: Being a parent myself and being on the machines it’s hard to do it all. We’re so expected to have an email and return it immediately- and maybe I don’t reply because I’m eating with my kids. And still
Sometimes my kids will say to me, why are you always looking into the computer and not answering me. So I try to be a kid with them- and don’t take myself too seriously. I try to understand them where they’re coming from. I think we all have fun together as a family they know mom’s let us do stuff. I had friends growing up there were certain things she couldn’t do that my parents let me do. My parents were very protective- but at the same time they let me do sleepovers, get dirty and be crazy- and of course there were moments where I couldn’t. I just think you have to give them certain freedom- our house isn’t a museum- it’s a home where people can come and have fun.
We do lots of arts and crafts, we have an art teacher who comes every week to do different crafts for our table and windows- and the kids always do wonderful projects and most of the time we paint. At home we have a beautiful garden and I really like them to go out everyday- even if it’s raining they can be under the umbrella. I like that they’re creative and don’t want them to be stuck on machines. My kids do sports, sometimes my boys like to do ballet with my daughter- I want them to be free and be kids.
I don’t have to push my kids to be funny or interesting—they are their own little creatures and have ideas- like our son. I shaved Henry’s hair off completely- because he wants to look like more like his papa and Kobe Bryant. My husband said you’re growing his hair for five years- but I said it’s his hair – his head. I love his hair but if he wants it off and he kept asking and nagging so I cut it really short- and buzzed it off. He’s so happy Papa (Seal), video taped it- everyone had their hands in Henry’s hair and I said to my other son you’re next and he says “No, no!” There’s always something- either it’s a fun family night when Henry shaved his hair off- or they’ll come home and tell us a funny story that happened at school with four kids it’s never not funny- it’s never boring!
What a great interview, I love Heidi and you asked some great questions. She's such a real person. I need to steal away those moments with my hubby too!
Great interview and wonderful tips. Although, what happens when hubby is great but not so hot anymore? Not that I am speaking from personal experience…