Sarah's forthcoming humor book GOT MILF? The Modern Mom's Guide to Feeling Fabulous, Looking Great, and Rocking a Minivan, is about women taking a look at their lives and knowing that they still got it because they never lost it. It might have been hidden under of pile of laundry or a stack of 600 emails that needed a response, but Sarah is here to remind today’s women that they can hold unto their feminism and still have time for self care. Imagine that.
Sarah rarely sleeps (what mother of three does), but she did take time to answer some questions about how life bought her to pen her new book GOT MILF? The Modern Mom's Guide to Feeling Fabulous, Looking Great, and Rocking a Minivan.
Q. For those out there who have been living in a cave without internet or an ipad, what is a MILF and how did that term come to be? Be careful, my mother reads my blogs.
A. Ha! So does mine! A MILF is a “Mother-I’d-Like-to-F*#k” (or, as I say to my kids “A Mother-I’d-Like-to-be-Friends with.”) Yeah, yeah…I know, that sounds so crass. And God knows it offends the heck out of some people. But my whole point is that the term has evolved over the past decade, become a part of pop culture and entered our lexicon. Today’s “Milf” is quite simply, a Hot Mom.
Q. Writing can be a very solitary life, so how did a mother of three find the time to write your latest book? What made you take on the subject of MILFs?
A. Finding time to write is a HUGE challenge for me and if my kids were still babies, I don’t know if this book would have happened! When my kids leave for school in the morning, I exercise then I write…or nap. Whichever I’m more inclined to do. J Also, I’m a night owl and I would write at night after the kids went to bed. Sometimes until 1 or 2 in the morning. Turns out being a night owl was great for when I performed Stand-Up comedy, but not so great for having to run carpool at 7am.
What made me take on the subject of MILFs? I’d have to say it was as simple as making a commitment to find myself again. Motherhood can completely envelope you. Sometimes you just hit a wall and say “ENOUGH!” I am going to do something for me that moves me in a positive direction! Writing this book – specifically a book about MILFs - did that for me. It gave me the opportunity to explore and applaud a part of me I didn’t see much of anymore. Besides, I’m surrounded by MILFs, at school, at the gym, on the playground – and I wanted to do something that would celebrate them too.
Q. What has been the reaction from other MILFs out there? Was it your intention to write a how-to handbook for modern mothers out there?
A. MILFs LOVE this book. Milf Duds? Not so much. I actually hadn’t intended on a “How-To” book for moms. What do I know about being a hot mom? I have guacamole on my shirt as we speak. I had intended more to celebrate the battle between motherhood and womanhood and to make it relatable to other moms out there who also have guacamole on their shirts.
Q. In your humble opinion – who are some famous MILFs and on the other side – who is an infamous MILF who gives the acronym a bad name? Please give full names.
A. Famous MILFS? I’m actually running a “Milf or Milf Dud” contest on MommyLiteOnline.com right now – so this is very fresh for me. Brooke Shields. She’s super Milfy. I also love Brooke Burke, Uma Thurman, Susan Sarandon, Michelle Obama, Heidi Klum and Helen Mirren. I can’t get on the Angelina Jolie boat – but that’s because she stole Brad from Jennifer. Very unMilfy thing to do. You know who else was a MILF? Nefertiti. Not a lot of people know that.
Q. As a former stand up comedienne in NYC (I stayed with the writing only because I am a bleeder) I am always curious to hear how women comics are doing in 2011. What sort of venues work best for your sense of humor? I am going to rule out guys who think Larry the Cable Guy is king.
A. I think Comedy is a really tough field for women. Probably because those 20 year old comics who hang out at the clubs till all hours of the night schmoozing with owners don’t have to go home to kids and drive carpool at 7am. Also, the audiences at comedy clubs just aren’t a prime target venue for comedy about parenting. I know. Try getting parents to come out to a comedy club at 10pm at night. It’s not easy. Also, I think comedy is a very different business for a young woman and an older woman – for the exact same reason. Stand-up comedy is just not a great job for a mom. Unless you make a lot of money. Then it’s fabulous!
Q. What are the main differences between a MILF and a cougar?
A. Oooo…my favorite question. A Cougar is a youth obsessed, aggressive, creature ever on the prowl for confirmation they’ve still “got it”. A Milf is simply adored. Just for being her. She’s confident, loving and looks really cute stealing a lick of her kid’s ice cream cone. But she’s not out looking for it. You simply can’t help but adore a Milf.
Q. Your book talks about the many varieties of MILFs? Can you give our readers three of your favorite or most compelling MILF types?
A. Chocolate Milf. I love her. She’s outgoing, loveable and always classic. Coconut Milf: I know a few of these here in LA. A bit wild…and sometimes flakey. And Spilled Milf (or is it Spilt Milf). She’s taken some hits but she knows how to clean herself up.
Q. You have some great quotes in the book. One of my favorites is: The quickest way for a parent to get s child’s attention is to sit down and look comfortable (Lane Olinghouse). Can you give us a couple to hints on how mothers can make time for themselves and their partners?
A. Go to the bathroom. It’s the only place in the house that’s quiet. If you can’t spend all day in the bathroom…get cable. Plunk the kids in front of the TV and close the door to your room. Even if it’s just for 20 minutes. They’ll survive. Of course, if you’re looking for more traditional tips, make a date night each week. Sure we all hear this all the time, but the routine of doing it every week makes it something your kids are more comfortable with (and they will balk less when you do it because it’s part of their “routine”) AND it gives you and your partner something to look forward to. Seriously…this is SO important!
Q. Is it okay to cry over spilt MILF? Okay. That is not fair. I don’t know where this question is going. Do you?
A. YES! It’s absolutely okay to cry over spilled MILF! Crying can feel SOOOOOO good…especially when you really need it! It’s the wallowing that trips some moms up. It’s so easy to stay “down” when nobody is there to pick you up and dust you off. We need to find this strength in ourselves. The ability to pull ourselves back together and move on. It’s a key skill for any Milf.
Q. There are a lot of aspiring MILFs out there who would love to write a book. Can you impart some words of wisdom for them?
A. Just do it! The hardest part of taking on any new project is “thinking” about doing it, “thinking” about what will happen IF you actually attempt to do it, and “THINKING” about all the things that could go wrong and how badly (and unsuccessful) your venture could be. STOP THINKING and START DOING! If you try to envision the path of any project in it’s entirety you will be overwhelmed. Tiny baby steps moving forward are the key to taking on any new project and completing it.
Q. And finally, Sarah, what is on the horizon for you?
A. Well, the book launches on April 5th and I see a bikini wax in my near future. Maybe some brow shaping. I have an event at Elie Tahari at Fashion Island in Newport Beach on April 5th – benefitting Autism Speaks – and I am SO incredibly honored they are hosting the launch. Then there is a Parent’s Night Out book reading at Book Soup in Hollywood and an event in Philadelphia on April 20th hosted by Joseph Fox Bookshop. I’m from Philly originally, so I’m very excited about that one.
As for long term, I just sold two children’s books and the first one, “On My Way to the Bath” which is illustrated by Michael Paraskevas, will be out next year from Walker Books. Its sequel, “On My Way to Bed” will be out the following year. These are my first children’s books and I am really excited. I love exploring new ventures, trying new things and attempting the extraordinary.
If I could only teach that to my kids.
Sarah’s a regular contributor to CBS/LosAngeles.com, HybridMom.com, Momtourage.com, andAutisable.com (a website for families dealing with Autism - her oldest was diagnosed with Asperger's when she was three). Her work has also been featured inLos Angeles Magazine, on More.com, Shine.com, DivineCaroline.com, ParentsAsk.com, and TheWellMom.com.
Sarah is an author (Creator and co-author of The Bridesmaid's Guerrilla Handbook - a Border's Top 50 Best-Selling Trade Paperback),speaker, blogger, freelance writer, and comedian (she has performed at The Hollywood Improv, The Comedy Store, andStand-Up New York).
To learn more about Sarah and her unique point of view on life, motherhood and Milfs, you can visit her humorous site: MommyLiteOnLine
© 2011
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