EXCLUSIVE: Sarah Lahbati Shares How Motherhood Has Transformed Her Life
Sarah Lahbati in her first cover feature with sons Zion and Kai Gutierrez
This Metro.Style cover girl is the epitome of a domestic diva—the queen of her home—who effortlessly juggles her career, motherhood, and relationships.
This balancing act was put to the test a few days before the holidays, when Sarah Lahbati’s mother Esther suffered from complications from an incident; her mother almost drowned in Siargao, which caused Sarah to appeal on social media for help and prayers. Thankfully, her mother has now recovered.
The truth was, Sarah was planning a casual Christmas at home with her family, to have “a simple traditional dinner, open presents, and just be together,” she shares in this video, but things did not go as planned.
Yet, there are still many things to be thankful for, and Sarah received the best Christmas gift—her mother being discharged from the hospital.
With overwhelming joy amidst challenges, Sarah shows the struggles of being a working mother, but carries out her responsibilites all with grace and style. Metro and Metro.Style EIC Geolette Esguerra says, "Sarah keeps it real, and isn’t afraid of showing imperfection.” She embraces the reality of how having children dictate the schedule—“and she embraces this and appreciates the time she gets to spend with them amidst her work commitments.”
Sarah Lahbati also appears on the cover of Metro magazine's latest issue
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Here, Sarah shares a thing or two about motherhood that other mothers can take cues from as well:
On her approach to her second pregnancy
“Take a step back and let go. The first time, I kept over-thinking every day and stressed myself out. With my second pregnancy, it was so much easier. I felt more peaceful and confident.”
On glamming up herself after giving birth
“It sounds so shallow but after giving birth, I wanted to feel good about myself, I didn’t want to let go and just be in bed feeling depressed. I make sure I take care of myself so I can be there for my family.”
On being a hands-on, disciplinarian mom
“When I was pregnant with Zion, I said, ‘I’ll be the cool, chill mom.’ But you can’t just be like that or else you’ll end up with a spoiled brat. Chard disciplines also but he’s so sweet so it doesn’t really work. Someone has to be the disciplinarian and that’s me. But I’m young and pretty chill as a person so I try to be that way too with my kids.”
On how she and fiancé Richard Gutierrez can ensure their kids' happiness
“The core of making sure your kids are happy starts with the parents. When parents are in love with each other, it’s easier for them to take care of their kids and be there for them on a daily basis.”
On planning her and Richard's wedding
"Maybe 2020. There’s been so many things happening in our lives that planning’s been pushed back. Now we’re really planning. But we’re taking it easy. I want to keep it calm, enjoy the process rather that make it stressful. I want to focus on building our relationship rather than just planning the wedding.”
Sarah wears Tibi from Distinqt PH and Pandora, Kai in Petit Bateau and Gingersnaps, and Zion in Gingersnaps and Gucci
Metro’s latest issue now out in major bookstores and newsstands for P150. Like Metro on Facebook (www.facebook.com/Metro.Magazine) and follow Metro on Twitter and Instagram (@MetroMagPH) #MetroMagPH
Photography by Charisma Lico
Creative Direction & Set Design by Chookie Cruz
Fashion Editor: Randz Manucom
Makeup by Anthea Bueno
Hairstyling by Mong Amado
Nails by Extraordinail
Interview by Joy Rojas
Special thanks to H&M Home and Everlasting Flower Shop
Shot on location at Seda Hotel
Special thanks to Chibi Momo