Why Annika Sörenstam Goes Nanny Free

Andrew H. Walker/Getty

With a well-earned reputation as one of the greatest female golfers in history, Annika Sörenstam could surely afford help when it comes to caring for Ava Madelyn, her 6-month-old daughter with husband Mike McGee.

However, she tells Golf.com that the couple prefer to go it alone.

“We decided that we wanted to figure out things ourselves,” Sörenstam, 39, explains.

“It’s something that we’re obviously going to look into. But we really want to raise Ava ourselves.”

Noting the “24/7″ nature of parenting, the golf pro says that life with Ava has been “wonderful” thus far.

The couple rely on their parents as needed, but “try to do the work” themselves.

“We take shifts at night and also in the day with baby duty,” Sörenstam adds.

Their cooperative approach is on full display each and every morning, as one parent feeds Ava while the other hits the gym, and continues throughout the day. Reveals Sörenstam,

“After Mike goes to the office, I try to get some e-mails and phone calls in between Ava’s feeding and sleeping schedule. In the afternoons I try to go to the [Annika Academy in Orlando] or to a photo shoot, and Mike comes home to watch the baby. We crash around 8:30.”

Now that Ava is “pretty close” to sleeping through the night — snoozing from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. — the family as a whole is feeling well-rested. “We’re pretty happy with that,” Sörenstam reports.

When asked what the future holds, Sörenstam says she “wouldn’t mind” more kids but notes that she and Mike “have a handful” now. Focusing all their attention on Ava suits the couple just fine for now, she adds.

“I want to be a really good mom to Ava. I want her to be able to enjoy life and explore different things and explore her interests. I also want to be a good wife to my husband.”

As for whether or not Ava will follow in mom’s famous footsteps, the verdict is out!

“She has a putter,” Sörenstam quips, “but right now it goes in her mouth more than anything.”

Comments

She sounds so nice and sensible! I really like her attitude.

- Karen on March 20th, 2010

I love that she’s a hands on Mama but having a nanny or childcare doesn’t mean you are forfeiting the responsibility of raising your child.

- Patricia on March 20th, 2010

“almost sleeping through the night” is 9pm-6am? My doctor said one 5 hour stretch is sleeping through the night. Sounds like she’s getting more sleep that most moms of 6 month olds.

- Andrea on March 20th, 2010

I understand where Annika comes from, I had the same mindset – then realized that there was nothing wrong with having a nanny. It made me a happier mother, and in turn made my family happier.

In terms of sleeping through the night, I am surprised by the comment above. We put our son on a schedule at 8 weeks, and he slept 7pm – 7am by 6 months. And he was NOT a “sleeper” initially. In my community, most moms experience the same. 9-6 is pretty good, but nothing lucky or unusual.

- martina on March 20th, 2010

This was such a nice interview to read! I do not have anything against woman that have part-time help with their children but it’s always nice to hear about parents that prefer to forgo help and take care of their children by themselves.

- Tee on March 20th, 2010

when it comes to not having help I guess it’s just Annika’s swedish background rubbing off. we get somewhere between 1-2years paid maternity-leave (or paternity) and most people don’t leave their kids to daycare/nanny or sitter until they are at least one.

- puck on March 21st, 2010

Tee not everybody has the luxury for one parent to stay home or have the flexible schedule of athletes, actors, etc. Most people have to have two working parents to have a roof over their heads and put food on the table. It’s probably much worse for single parents. It’s annoying when people pretty much call working parents bad parents because they have to have some sort of childcare whether it’s a nanny or daycare.

- Amy on March 21st, 2010

Some of us don’t have any parents to rely on! Now that’s the real deal, when you have to do everything yourself!

- erica on March 21st, 2010

if you are the primary carer for your children you have a different relationship with them. Annika wants that particular kind of relationship with her child and so she has decided to forgo the nanny.

She’s not saying working mothers are not as good or some such silliness – she is just saying what she wants for herself.

- katie on March 21st, 2010

A nanny/daycare/preschool will never love and care for your kids like you do as a mother. Bravo Annika for making parenting your #1 priority! Obviously single parents don’t have the option, but any healthy married couple can choose to have one parent at home as long as you are willing to live in a smaller home, not eat out etc. It’s all about choices. Some people choose their kids, some people choose to have material possessions.

- Amy on March 21st, 2010

Amy – It’s not always that simple – kids or material possessions. Some married woman still need to work to have a roof above their heads, they can’t make a choice. And some married woman just don’t want to stay all day in he house, and it doesn’t mean that they don’t love their kids enough. You said it your self everyone make a choice, and as long as there aren’t any kind of abuse, all of them are correct.

- marina on March 22nd, 2010