Barbara Meier has returned to everyday work life. In the GALA interview, the model revealed how challenging the first few weeks were as a mother of two children.
With the birth of her second daughter Emilia Elise a good two months ago, “everything changed in one fell swoop” in the life of Barbara Meier, 36. The first few weeks were difficult, explains the model in the GALA interview. The sleep deprivation bothered her. Taking care of two children “sometimes overwhelmed her”, but now everything is leveling off. For her first job after the short baby break – at the Nuremberg Toy Fair Barbara presented the new board game “Café del Gatto” (Schmidt Games) – she also traveled with both children. An exciting experience!
Barbara Meier celebrates two premieres alongside her daughters
GALA: For your first job after giving birth, you took the train for the first time with both children. How was it?
Barbara Meier: In addition to Emilia Elise, who is still being breastfed, it was also Marie-Therese’s first train journey. Everything went well! My older daughter was very excited because everything was new – like going up to the platform with the escalators. The nice thing: I’m rediscovering the world through my children. I usually get on the train and work through emails. When my children are there, I want to show them a lot and then I suddenly notice little things that I don’t see otherwise. This is a great enrichment that makes traveling exciting again for me.
On January 31, 2023, Barbara Meier presented the new board game “Café Del Gatto” at the Nuremberg Toy Fair. (Schmidt games) Before.
© BrauerPhotos / G.Nitschke
What is Marie-Therese particularly fond of playing with at the moment?
She likes to play with dolls and whiz around in the bobby car. And I’m introducing them to board games right now. For example, children learn how to deal with losing. It took me a bit longer, I was a bad loser. (laughs) Or they learn that a game only works if everyone follows the rules. As a mother, it is important to me that games for children have such added value.
This has sometimes overwhelmed Barbara since the birth of baby Emilia
What has changed for you since having the second child?
With the second child, everything changed in one fell swoop. Up until now, I have always been able to fully concentrate on Marie-Therese. As a mother of two children, that is no longer possible. Sometimes one sleeps and the other plays and five minutes later they both need me very badly. I often ask myself: “What do I do now? Where to go with me?” Or in the morning when both wake up: “Who do I take care of first?” As a mother, I sometimes feel overwhelmed, but everything is slowly coming together.
Daughter Marie-Therese really thrives as a big sister
How did Marie-Therese react to Emilia Elise? Did jealousy play a part?
Luckily, Marie-Therese wasn’t jealous at all.
In the last two weeks she has really grown into her role as a big sister. She helps me and recently even put socks on the baby. She watches the changing of the diaper and absolutely wants Emilia to sleep in her room.
It is nice to see how naturally Marie-Therese accepted her sister into the family. Because I was worried that she wouldn’t be thrilled if she has to share her parents’ attention.
The first train ride was very exciting for Barbara Meier’s daughter Marie-Therese.
© instagram.com/barbarameier
“The sleep deprivation was really hard. I don’t know how some mothers take it”
What has been the biggest challenge for you as a mother of two? What limits did you come up against?
The first few weeks were difficult because Emilia Elise preferred to sleep during the day and wanted to explore the world at night. As soon as she fell asleep, Marie-Therese woke up. The sleep deprivation was really hard. I still had to be there for my kids 100 percent, even when I was dead tired. I don’t know how some mothers take it. I need my sleep! (laughs) But fortunately that has also leveled off in the meantime and both are sleeping great.
You recently completed three public appointments in Kitzbühel with your husband Klemens Hallmann. The first since birth. As a couple, how do you manage childcare in everyday working life?
Either the little ones come with you, as with further journeys to Kitzbühel. In the past few weeks, my parents have also been there, and they are an incredible support. It is much easier for me to let my family take care of my children. Of course, Marie-Therese is also in seventh heaven when she is spoiled by her grandparents and can play the funniest games with grandpa and grandma. That’s nice for me to see too.
Sometimes a nanny helps us, but mainly I try to organize the care within the family. That works quite well.
Figure criticism after pregnancy
Have you felt societal pressure to get physically fit for the red carpet again after giving birth?
I felt pressure in every direction. After the births, I was quickly back in my old form because I was breastfeeding. There were also people who said why I was so slim again straight away, it wouldn’t work like that. My goal wasn’t to lose weight as quickly as possible. I used to eat chips and other unhealthy things, which I’m doing again now because I need the energy. I didn’t do any sports either.
Barbara Meier with husband Klemens Hallmann at the Stanglwirt Weißwurstparty on January 20, 2023 in Kitzbühel.
© GEPA pictures / imago images
I used to have to watch every calorie, during pregnancy and breastfeeding my body started to process food differently. Now I don’t have to pay so much attention to it anymore.
Some criticize if I lose weight too quickly, others if it takes too long. It feels like you can’t please anyone.
How has the relationship with your body changed as a result of the pregnancies?
I have learned to detach myself from the ideas of others. Since I became a mother, I no longer see every dent, but admire my body for what it has achieved. It’s a biological miracle that I had two children. That’s fascinating. Now, when I hold her in my arms, I don’t pay attention to the parts I’m not happy with like I used to. The priorities have shifted.