Brooke Burke Balances Dancing Rehearsals With Family Time

Karl Larsen/INFphoto.com

After facing strenuous rehearsals with dance partner Derek Hough for the past few weeks, Brooke Burke was more than ready to spend her one day off relaxing with David Charvet, and their kids Neriah, 8, Sierra Sky, 6, Heaven Rain, 19 months, and Shaya Braven, 6 months tomorrow. With her demanding training schedule for her spot on the new season of Dancing With The Stars, Brooke admits that she "finds myself challenged these days, like so many moms as they go back to work." While the actress shares that she was in for a shock when she realized how "physically and mentally challenging" the 8-hour dancing commitment — plus her family obligations — would become, Brooke is confident that she is in it for the long run. "I am 100% committed to doing the best I can on the show, but I am also 100% committed to being a mom," blogs Brooke.

So far, that positive attitude has worked well for the 36-year-old as she has developed a schedule with her "kids rotating turns to visit me at the studio." For baby Shaya, Brooke says, a trip to see mom includes a make-shift play area where he "watches and listens to the music," occasionally even getting "a few spins on the dance floor" from Derek! While the kids special time with their mom is working out now, with Neriah and Sierra heading back to school this week, the dancing duo have decided to switch studios to accommodate the girls. Brooke explains,

"I really miss my kids when I am away from them so I am trying to schedule my rehearsals sensibly, so I can still be there for the important day-to-day stuff. I will be moving to a studio closer to [the girls] so I can still pick them up [from school] in the afternoon."

Although Brooke’s schedule is very demanding, she is not in it alone. According to Brooke, David — who is "really excited for me and very supportive" of her dancing — has "been picking up the slack with the kids." Saying she is "grateful" that she can count on her fiancé while she is off rehearsing, Brooke shares that he is "a wonderful father" to their children.

Rain and Shaya are Brooke’s children with David; Neriah and Sierra are her daughters with ex-husband Dr. Garth Fisher.

The new season of Dancing With The Stars premieres Monday, September 22nd.

Source: Baboosh Baby

Comments

Brooke seems like a good mom, she sure has a lot on her plate but seems to balance it all. Not only does she have 4 kids all different ages, but her oldest 2 are from another marriage and she shares custody with their dad, and now she has 2 babies 14 months apart. Cool thing about her too, you always see her out with her kids whether all of them or just 1, and I’ve never seen a nanny. She might have one when she and david work, but to go do errands, starbucks, shopping, etc I’ve never seen one. Can’t wait to see her on DWTS, glad she is doing the show. I saw a pic of her grocery shopping and carrying shaya in a sling, he looks adorable and just like her.

- brooke on September 4th, 2008

Yeah!
I knew she would do DWTS!!!
After that, she’ll probably bein her best shape ever! Lucky her…I want to do the show too And on top of that she is paired up with my favorite guy, Derek. With him as her partner, she def. has an advantage.
Does anyone know if she’s had any dance experience?

Anyway, can’t way to see the footage of Derek dancing with baby Shaya!

- Max'sMom on September 4th, 2008

I’m so excited for Brooke to be on DWTS! She’s going to do great, especially with cutie Derek as her partner!

- Stephany on September 4th, 2008