Savvy Mommy 7

Felicity Huffman, star of ABC’s Desperate Housewives, Emmy award winner and mommy inventor of Heads Up! comfort pillow answers the Savvy Mommy 7 –

 1. What is the most unexpected way motherhood has changed you?

Aside from all those surprising wrinkles and that my stomach now looks like a bean bag chair, I would have to say that Motherhood has made me meet myself; my fears, my strengths, my neurosis, to a very intense level. At the same time Motherhood has introduced me to a self I didn't know existed. I feel like Motherhood does two diametrically opposed things. It intensifies who you are, but also forces you to stretch and go beyond anything you thought possible. It forced you to break patterns, grow in completely different and unexpected ways. It has made me more myself and created me anew at the same time.

2. The idea for your mom invention Head's Up came to you when you were up at night with your children. Why do you think so many of these essential products haven't been made but mothers are sitting at their sewing table (like in your case) and creating them themselves since they aren't on the market?

I came up with the Heads Up pillow when I was rocking my children at night time — when they had a cold or a bad dream. I couldn't find a pillow that was for all the rocking or gliding parents have to do late at night and you can't get your head and neck comfortable. I think things are being invented by mothers because "necessity is the mother of invention." It doesn't say "necessity is the Father of invention" for good reason. We moms are the ones in the trenches so to speak, who know what we need, and we need it so much that if it's not out in stores we will make it! I think that anything that can make being a mom a little easier or a little more comfortable is worth it's weight in gold!

3. What has motherhood taught you about yourself?

Hmm I can only think of my short comings when you ask me this question! But I am afraid that can be so boring! Sooooo.... I was always afraid that when my Husband and I had kids he would forget about me and only focus on the children, but in fact I am the one too focused on them and he has to say to me "Hey, we need some couples time! Remember me! I'm the guy you married!"

The other surprising thing is I always envisioned my type of mothering as cool and laid back, you know, those easy calm Mothers who take everything in stride. The type that will say: "Sure, I'll take my 2 year old on a backpacking trip through Tibet" and I really wanted to be that "cool" mom, but I am afraid I'm more the "Felix" mom.

4. The competition to get into the "right" preschool can be seen all around the country. Did you find yourself falling into that hysteria when applying for Georgia or Sofia?

It wasn't hysteria, but it is odd writing essays for your 5 year old. I felt like I was back in college. But it did help focus me in terms of what I thought my children need in a school.

5. This season of Desperate Housewives' allows you to really show the balancing act of a mom who works outside the home. Last season you were working at home raising the children and it definitely showed the struggles some stay at home moms have. I know you majored in Drama at NYU but if you weren't acting right now, could you see yourself in an ad agency working the hours Lynette worked while Sofia and Georgia were very little?

Hmm could I see myself doing that? I think the question is beside the point. A lot of women don't have a choice and have to work those kind of hours when their children are little. It is a phenomenally hard balancing act and I know from my own life it is not so much balancing as falling, but I don't see men feeling guilty about having to go to work.

Sure they miss their children terribly, but they don't have the guilt and the self recrimination, so I don't think women should have it either. Now saying that I have to tell you I feel guilty all the time, but I wish I could drop it. Also I majored in Drama at NYU because I wasn't good at anything else! so a career in Advertising wasn't exactly an option!

6. Your wildest dream was to sing with your idol Tina Turner (not a bad idol!!) Now that Oprah helped make that come true, is there anything else on your list right now?

After children your wildest dream becomes a nap. But after a nap I would say my wildest dream would be acting in a Western where I get to ride horses and chase bad guys. Everyone having a hybrid car would be a great dream too.

7. What books are you reading right now?

I just finished The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls, and am currently reading The Fire Fighter by Francis Cottam, I have read all his books. He writes novels about WW2 and is a wonderful writer.

Check your local listings to watch Felicity in action as Lynette Scavo on Desperate Houswives!  You can purchase your own Head's Up comfort pillow at Bed Bath and Beyond.