Sandra Mestres: "My daughters often tell me that I work too much."

BarcelonaDriving every night the Basics It's meant completely overhauling our family logistics, but now that everything is on track and well-organized, I feel like everything is flowing smoothly. Really, at home, I've gone from being the go-to person in the afternoons, the nights before, and the evenings to being the one in the mornings, the one who gets everything ready and takes them to school.

Mornings are usually harder, aren't they?

— Everyone knows that mornings are fleeting, stressful, and a race against time. But not being able to spend as much time with my daughters on weeknights makes the time I spend with them on Fridays and weekends so much better.

However, a journalist mother never completely disconnects.

— It's definitely an added challenge. As journalists, we have to be constantly connected and informed about everything that's happening, and the idea of digital disconnection when the workday ends simply doesn't exist, especially when the job involves leading and producing a daily hour-and-a-half program. I've pretty much internalized this hyper-connectivity and try to balance it with family life, minimizing any interference with my relationship with my daughters. But it's also true that they often tell me I work too much.

What is a typical day like?

— It's a whirlwind, with so many things to do at home, with family and friends, and at work. A lot of organization is needed. We're in an intense period of our lives—personally, at home, and professionally—and it's often difficult to juggle everything. My mantra is to compartmentalize, prioritize, take things one step at a time, and focus on what needs to be done at any given moment.

What are your daughters like?

— The younger one is very independent and seeks out her older sister less than the older one does. Mia, on the other hand, has always needed someone to play with, and in this sense, she looks to Julia as a friend and confidante. I love watching them play together and how naturally they interact. I'm filled with pride by their small gestures, like the goodbye kiss they give each other when they go to school or their goodnight kiss. I'm also fascinated by the alliances they're already beginning to forge when it comes to supporting each other through conflicts with their parents. I don't know if this is a prelude to what their teenage years will be like.

And what happens when they don't understand each other?

— We're still in the stage of conflicts over toys or how to play. The older one takes the dominant role, wanting to control the situation, and if she doesn't cross any lines, I tend not to intervene. In their own way, they end up reaching agreements and compromises that work for them. But when I see that they cross the line into bad behavior or disrespect, I do intervene, because it's a good opportunity to learn how to act without hurting the other person.

Conflicts are a good time to share values.

— Right now we're working on generosity, the importance of sharing, and also how to manage frustration and outbursts or tantrums. With our eldest, who is starting to experience an increase in homework, it's time to teach her the value of effort and perseverance.

And what about the little one?

— We're still in a more visceral phase, full of explosive emotions, with days that are a rollercoaster for her. Conflicts are starting to arise, and it's very important for me to give her the tools she needs and to know how to stand up for what she truly wants to do, but always with respect and affection for others.

Every day you can learn a great and important lesson.

— All of this work is still part of learning about motherhood and the parenting process. In other words, you shouldn't get discouraged if things don't go as planned one day. You have to remember that children, like adults, have good days and bad days. And that should be respected. That's why I try to let things settle and, from a place of calm, recount them another day when everything is going more smoothly.

Where do you like to go, for example, on Saturdays?

— Right now, what makes them happiest is any place with a park. Lately, the new Parc de les Glòries has been a great option for them to have fun, although they're also very drawn to interactive or experience-based museums. But above all, I'd say that a place with swings, slides, and other play equipment is a guaranteed hit.