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10 Questions: Lisa Rinna

Lisa Rinna is living proof that a new life can begin at 40. Four years ago, the former Melrose Place actress was approaching that milestone age when she turned to her husband, one-time L.A. Law hottie Harry Hamlin, and announced that she wanted to start a clothing boutique.

No mere mid-life crisis, this quest for retail adventure transformed into a full-on enterprise, Belle Gray, now with two thriving boutiques in the San Fernando Valley and a much-trafficked e-commerce website.

Then two years later at 42, Lisa was approached by the producers of Dancing with the Stars. Would she, mother of two and actress who had never danced professionally, compete in front of 22 million viewers? "I'm not a dancer but my gut told me I had to do it," Lisa says from her Hollywood Hills home. "I jumped at it." Lisa didn't win but she says the show marked a complete turning point for her: "It opened up so many doors for me and made my confidence soar," she says. "Believing in yourself is so much more powerful than anyone realizes. I'm proof of that."

Celebrating 10 years of marriage to Harry, a revived career, and a close-knit relationship with her daughters, Delilah Belle, 9, and Amelia Gray, 6, Lisa, 44, talks to Modern Mom about scheduling a weekly family date, dancing up a storm, and going for your dreams.

What's your definition of a Modern Mom?

Ah, someone who juggles a lot! She's a juggler. She does so much and she's not afraid to be who she is. She goes after her dreams, takes risks, and she's there for her children, all at the same time. She has a lot on her plate. That's the Modern Mom I hope I am!

What's your secret to balancing career and family?

I don't think there's a secret. The one thing I can come up with is that when you're doing something, I do it 100%. I am in the moment. When I am with the children, I am WITH them. They know that and they feel that. When you're with the kids, you should really pay attention -- and not think about the grocery list or anything else. Or, when I am working, I am really doing that. Of course, that's harder to do that because I am always thinking about the kids. If I am not with the family, my radar is up. But when I am with the kids and Harry, then I don't have a care in the world. It's hard, but it's the key.

You don't have to spend 24 hours a day with your kids, nor would they want you to. It's all about the quality of the time you do spend. Give them the right attention and they feel loved and listened to. Harry is very good at this. The other day, the girls were playing hair salon, and Harry was the client. He had rubber bands in his hair -- can you just picture that? He will sit there for hours. He is so patient. I learn from him.

What did your parents teach you about parenting?

My parents taught me to how important hugging and showing affection is. They taught me not to be afraid to say, "I love you."

What do you want teach your children?

I want to teach them compassion, and kindness and giving. I want them to be strong women, that it's okay to ask for what you want, go after your dreams, stand up for yourself, and have a point of view. To say, "I don't like that," and, "That's not okay for me."

The girls are at a really fun age. There are no more diapers or sippy cups. We had eight years of that and that's a long time. We are now in that place where we can go anywhere. We can go to the movies together. It's so much fun. They are funny and they have there own points of view. They are my favorite people. I like being with them and Harry more than anybody else.

Who do you admire the most?

My mom, who's going to be 80 in June. She's such a forgiving woman and she always manages to turn a negative into a positive. It's a brilliant gift to have. She's always been a strong role model for me.

Votes: 4

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