The View’s Elisabeth Hasselbeck and her husband ESPN NFL analyst Tim Hasselbeck were at the Scholastic Store in Soho last week to help celebrate Scholastic Parent & Child’s ‘Family of the Year’ initiative, a project to honor families that make a difference in their schools and communities. We caught up with Elisabeth on her inspiring role as TV co-host, author, fashion designer, and mom to three kids, Grace, 5, Taylor, 3 and Isaiah who turns one in August.

How on Earth do you juggle your career schedule with your role as a mother-of-three?
Juggle is the operative word. My challenge is figuring out the next day. Every night I sit at my computer and talk it out with Tim. This is how the conversation goes: Who is taking Grace to school? Who will pick her up? What class does Taylor have? Who has a doctor’s appointment? What time is the meeting? Did you sign the permission slip for school? What about packing lunch, and writing a note for the lunch? Oh, no! We need milk. Can you pick up diapers?

And after swirling all of the schedule options about, I write it down as to not forget it all the next morning. Otherwise I would be lost. Without Tim—who was born to be a great dad—I would be even more lost.

Are you a born and bred New Yorker?
Providence, Rhode Island, is where I was born and raised. I lived there until I left for Boston for another six years, and after moving around for work (and with Tim on his journey through the NFL), I now call New York home. I’ve lived here since 2003.
 
Now that you're rooted here, what are your favorite things to do in the City with the kids?
The Met, the Museum of Natural History, the Intrepid, Central Park, Street Fairs, walks and all the amazing playgrounds.

What about family restaurants? You have celiac disease—do you try to avoid bread, flour, gluten for the whole family?
I have been navigating this city gluten free for six years, and have plenty of tips in my book, The GFree Diet. Give me a diner and I am happy and the kids are happy. Chicago Pizza Grill, Risotteria . . .  and we pack a lot of picnics.

And where do you like to shop for the kids?
You name it! Crewcuts, Old Navy, Gap, Polo, Filene’s Basement, Petit Bateau.

What are the benefits of raising small children in New York? Any tips?
The energy is fantastic. Diversity is part of their every day. We see fire trucks in bulk . . . the visual stimulation, the museums, the pizza and the people! My tip: Carry a potty on the go!

What’s do you find challenging about having kids in the City?
Trying to walk as a family of five on the sidewalks—with a double stroller and kids on scooters! Fitting the double stroller into a Starbucks is trying. Can they please have a mommy window?!

Any favorite resources for City moms?
The playground moms!

Where do you turn for parenting advice?
My parents, Tim’s parents, my sister-in-law Sarah, my great friend in life who has ‘been there’ Jane Buckingham; my friends from BC and the women at the table of The View.

You’ve designed your own fashion line. Have you ever thought about doing kids’ clothes too?
Every day. Maybe one day it will happen.

Do you have a holiday home, or a favorite place to escape?
Our apartment is our place and we love it. We usually escape back to our hometowns.

What about far-flung family vacations? Have you been back to Australia with the kids since Survivor?
My motto is, travel with three is on a need-to-travel only basis. He heh! I would love for the family to see the beauty of the land that I witnessed daily in the Outback—but with snacks, of course.

What are your summer plans?
Isaiah is turning one so maybe he’ll be walking! Some more walking, visiting family, painting another large-scale work, and getting in good race shape for a 10K!