Veronica Webb on the expedition of parenthood
Model Veronica Webb, 42, poses with daughters Leila Rose, 4 1/2, and Molly Blue, 3, for a cruise-themed fashion spread in the September issue of Cookie magazine.
Click below for the photos, fashion, and interview highlights – including why Veronica waited until her late 30s to have kids, her fear of starting a ‘second family,’ and the way she keeps her daughters close to their explorer father.
Veronica did a lot of things in her youth — acting, writing, and modeling — but one thing she didn’t do was get pregnant.
Therewas never a doubt in my mind that I’d have kids. But I waited until Ihad sown my oats and was financially and emotionally ready.
Ready, that was, for the births of Leila and Molly, who arrived when Veronica was in her late 30s. In 2002, she wed George Robb, a ‘Wall Streeter-turned-sunken treasure hunter‘who was already raising two teenagers from his first marriage. Aftermoving from NYC to the Florida Keys with George and the kids, Veronicabecame concerned that starting a ‘second family‘ with him would replay events from her past.
[I wasn't as close to my father as I would haveliked.] He was older, and we were his second family. I never won hisattention in the way I wanted.
To prevent this from happening with her girls and their dad, Veronica made sure they have something in common.
I introduced them to things he loves — the ocean and its creatures, diving, botany.
George runs the RPM Nautical Foundation,which returns shipwreck artifacts to the country in which they werediscovered — giving the family numerous travel opportunities. Mostrecently, they voyaged across the Atlantic on the Queen Mary 2 — a travel method Veronica recommends. ‘It’s a great way to travel with children. No jet lag.’ However, she remembered the important things to keep Leila and Molly comfortable.
Familiarthings from home count for a lot. When you’re gone that long, it makesa big difference to put your head on your own pillow.
Parenthood is a different kind of adventure than Veronica was expecting, even after her experiences with her stepchildren.
There’sno way to imagine how challenging parenthood is until it’s on you. Andafter all that freedom, it was a shock to be so scheduled andcloistered. I learned more in those first few years than from any otherexperience I’d had.
The minutiae of toilet training and Dora talk can get to you. But everything you do for your children matters.
Source: Cookie; September issue, p. 194-199
Photo 1: Leila wears a shirt by Purple Liberty. Molly wears a Baby Lulu Chrysanthemum Sparrow Tee ($25). Both wear tutus by Ellie Bellie Kids ($45).
Photo 2: Both girls wear jackets and dresses from Baby Lulu. Leggings and tights are from The Children’s Place, while glitter shoes are from L’Amour.
Photo 3: Leila wears a Best & Co. cream wool knit dress ($148). Molly wears a gray and burgundy version ($148). Glitter belt is from The Children’s Place. Molly also wears an Ellie Bellie Kids red diamond cape ($30).
Photo 4: Leila wears an Agatha Ruiz de la Prada Flowers dress with H&M purple pants. Molly wears a striped dress from Petit Bateau, Erin glitter leggings, and Minnetonka Moccasin Co. back zipper boots in brown suede ($25). The cups are Playtex.
