Even though Sarah Michelle Gellar is a famous actress, entrepreneur, cookbook author and producer, she loves getting to spend time with her two kids — Charlotte, 10, and Rocky, 7 — whom she shares with her husband, Freddie Prinze Jr.
“I think the best part for me getting to experience the world through their eyes,” she told Life & Style exclusively on Thursday, October 3, while she promoted her new partnership with Colgate Optic White. “Life moves very quickly, and it’s very hectic right now, and it’s stressful. To be able to take a moment because they see a snail walking and 25 minutes later, you are still watching that snail walk, you know, five inches, is a moment that you need to remember to take a breath and breathe and see the beauty in the world.”
The 42-year-old star added, “We took them to see their first Cirque du Soleil. We went to go see it in the other day and getting to experience the magic for the first time of watching them dive into the pool and see their faces and watching all of it — that was pretty spectacular.”
Additionally, the Buffy the Vampire Slayer alum shared that their family enjoys spending time together whenever possible. “Any moment where you can put down a device and actually connect, to me, is important,” she said. “Food just sort of seems to be that great connect among people.” So, do the tots make anything specific in the kitchen? “I know my kids love doing homemade pizzas and taking all of the toppings and making their own little pizzas and putting them into shapes.”
The New York native chooses to be a role model for her kiddos — especially when it comes to keeping their pearly whites clean — and it seems like they have really learned a lot from their smart mama. “My son got his flu shot yesterday and before I could turn around, the nurse in the doctor’s office had given him this disgusting sugar lollipop,” she shared. “His mouth was like ten colors blue and purple. He turned to me and said, ‘Don’t worry, mom. As soon as I get home, I am going to brush my teeth.’ And it was a sweet moment that leading by example makes a difference.” That’s why it made perfect sense for Sarah to partner with Colgate Optic White. “Everybody needs more smiles in their lives, especially right now, and to me, a smiling face is a beautiful face and what are those easy tips that you can put into your daily routine that are simple and easy and effective? I love having a platform where I can share these tips that are affordable, that are available for everyone that really make a difference. I can say it’s whitening that works.”
Ultimately, Sarah cherishes those memories since she knows they are growing up quickly. “[It’s] equal parts great and sad,” she said about those bittersweet moments. “Why are you so independent? You don’t need me! Self-pity. My son told me last night — I said, ‘Don’t you want to live with me forever?’ And he said, ‘No, because when I get older, you will be my grandma!’ I was like, ‘I will never be your grandmother!’”
Despite having a busy schedule, Sarah is returning to acting since she has two new shows coming up — Sometimes I Lie and Other People’s Houses — and it seems like she is excited to make her way back onto the small screen. “I took a break because my kids were young, and I wanted to be home and have those moments. Now, they are at a place where they don’t need me in that same, you know, day to day, and I have the time,” she explained. “I don’t do anything unless I can fully commit myself to it and now is the time where I can really exert that attention that is needed. I like storytelling. I like getting to tell cool stories and be a part of escapism and letting people explore different worlds.”
The FoodStirs cofounder has had an amazing career — from Buffy to Cruel Intentions to The Crazy Ones — and she can’t believe how far she has come since she first started. “I have already accomplished more than I have ever thought I would, so everything is crazy and just about experience now,” she said.
Well, it sounds like Sarah is in a great spot in her life, and we can’t wait to see her future projects!