Ashley Graham Jokes About Summer Zoo Visit and Talks Mom Guilt

You may have more in common with beloved American supermodel Ashley Graham than you think. Well, chaotic zoo trips and mom guilt, at least.

At a July 24th dinner in New York, the mother to three under 3 opened up about balancing her life as a parent and professional, the importance of staying present and how to crush mom guilt. “I mean, the idea of balance, I wish it existed…I have set up my kids so that when I’m home, I’m home, and I’m locked in,” she told People.

Her most recent adventure, totally dedicated to her little ones, involved an oh-so-relatable trip to the zoo. “It was hardcore, game on, busy zoo, 90 degrees, warrior paint, let’s go,” she laughs. “And I had so much fun with them. It was just the best because when I’m with them, I just go click right into mom mode.”

Even when Graham can’t immediately drop into mom mode or block out work at home, she tries not to be too hard on herself. “I mean, I’m guilty every day. Ariana Huffington actually told me, she was like, ‘You just have to get over it.’ If you live in the guilt, then it’s just going to keep hindering you,” Graham noted. “And I’m only three and a half years into motherhood, so I’m just doing my best every day.”

This isn’t Graham’s first time speaking up about the pressures of parenting and the power of letting go. In a November interview with The Bump Graham shared her token advice for parents that are struggling with the day-to-day. “‘They’ll get over this. I’ll get over this. We’ll move on,’” Everything feels unique in the moment, but with a good night of sleep, you wake up and everything seems better.

Here more from this powerful mamma on everything from parent date nights to fourth trimester challenges.