Nathalie Stern, MD
Dr. Stern is a mom of two and a French-born pediatrician practicing in New York City and in Southampton, NY.
How many children do you have? A 17-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter.
What is your specialty? I’m a pediatrician.
What’s the best parenting advice you’ve ever received? Pick your battles.
What’s your own favorite parenting tip? Take time for yourself—guilt free.
What has surprised you most about parenting? When you have more than one child, your love isn’t divided. It’s multiplied—a mathematical miracle.
How do you get your family to eat healthy food? We eat together as a family most of the time. Food that’s eaten while sitting alone in front of the TV doesn’t give you the same nutritional value as a meal around the table with your family. In France, we enjoy cooking, and we enjoy eating good food. Eating is a pleasurable event.
I’m pretty sure if you tried to put a carrot in a kid’s mouth she’d be more likely to eat it if she were sitting at the dining room table having a nice family experience rather than sitting in front of the TV.
How do you work exercise into your life? I do home visits in Manhattan on my bike. I know how to kick the mirror right off a taxicab!
How do you recharge your batteries? It’s tough. I exercise—biking and swimming whenever I can. I also enjoy having a glass of wine with good friends.