By Dana DeMercurio
From the set of ‘Beverly Hills 90210’, to shaking his groove thing on Season 4 of Dancing With The Stars and baring it all on a Chippendales stage, it goes without saying that Ian Ziering has lived quite the exciting life. We recently chatted with Ian about his busy schedule, his role as a father and husband, and what it’s like being named ‘Daddy of the Year’ by one of his favorite brands, DaddyScrubs.
AKA Mom: With such a busy career as an actor, spokesperson and entertainer, how do you juggle that along with being a husband and father of 2 young children?
Ian: I never lose sight of the fact that my family, my wife and kids are my ‘why’ for everything. I never lose sight of “work to live” and not “live to work.” I work to be a provider, to ensure [my family] has everything they need in life to propel them through it successfully.
AKA Mom: You’ve become a spokesperson for a company called DaddyScrubs. What is it about that company that made you want to get involved?
Ian: The company started with scrubs that said ‘I’m Daddy’. I think it’s great to pull fathers into it. Usually dads sit on the sideline while nurses run around and while the wives go into delivery. When I wore them, it made me feel like I was a big part of the experience. I don’t know, why but it did… maybe because everyone noticed them. I love the font and the way it’s written. It was a way to proclaim ‘Here I am!’ Everyone acknowledged it with a smile on their face. Everyone was able to relate to me. It was a way to announce ‘I’m proud and a part of this experience’. The brand has become a bit of a lifestyle brand. It’s not just about scrubs anymore. It’s about creating situations and connecting. It’s about getting back to the dinner table, for instance. My mom always had food on the table and we all came together as a family. I’ve got so many great memories of those dinners that we had together. As you grow older, it’s not about money; it’s not material things that grow wealth. It’s the depth of the love you have for your family and friends. For me, and so many others, the dinner table is a place where it all starts. It’s a time to come together and share and further build the bond you have with your family. That’s what DaddyScrubs is all about.
AKA Mom: DaddyScrubs has recognized you as ‘Daddy of the Year’. That’s quite an accomplishment!
Ian: Yes, I’m very proud of that! My hat goes off to my dad who was my role model growing up. Because of the values and morals he instilled in me and because of the way in which he taught me, I really am just paying it forward. My dad taught me to be as hardworking as I possibly can. He taught me that failure is not an option and to commit to your success. I also have an amazing wife, and none of this would have been possible without her. She matches my energy and enthusiasm; she is such a dynamic woman and role model. Being a dad is the best role I’ve ever had. Being named Daddy of the Year is like receiving a daddy Oscar!
AKA Mom: Your wife Erin is a nurse. Was she the one who recommended DaddyScrubs for you during her deliveries?
Ian: Yes! She was in her first trimester, and she brought a pair home with her after work and I chuckled. They said ‘I’m the daddy.’ When I wore them into the delivery room for the first time, I had such a positive reaction; from the doctors to the nurses to the people in the waiting room, everywhere I went! I was so full of pride that day that I could have yelled from the top of a mountain how proud I was to be a dad. Wearing the DaddyScrubs added another level of enthusiasm for me.
AKA Mom: What is it like having two daughters sharing the same birthday now? Will it make the party planning process easier?
Ian: I don’t know yet! We celebrated Mia’s birthday a week early because we weren’t sure when Penna was going to be born. It’s so serendipitous! As the girls get older, I’m sure they are going to embrace it. I think when they have birthdays on the same day it adds another special layer to their relationship as sisters. I think we will have joint birthday parties until Mia is about 6 years old. I’m thrilled about it!
AKA Mom: Your daughter Penna was born this past April. How did you do in the delivery room during Penna’s birth compared to Mia’s?
Ian: Mia’s birth was much more difficult for my wife. Erin wanted to do it naturally without drugs and epidurals. As a man you don’t have the final say about that [giggles]. Erin was born in 45 minutes in an elevator. She thought she might have a similar experience during her deliveries. When Erin was 4 hours into contractions, screaming and crying, the doctor had said she was only 4 centimeters dilated, and that’s when she relented and asked for the epidural. Every time the contractions came, it was like torture. As a husband, it’s hard to see that. My wife is a strong woman and wanted to tough it out but it was just too difficult and hard to see her in so much pain. It was smooth sailing after the epidural though. Penna’s birth was much simpler. Erin took the epidural first thing and my daughter was born in the morning. Penna’s birth was definitely much easier on all of us.
AKA Mom: What advice would you give to expecting and new dads?
Ian: My advice for expecting and new dads is to speak to other fathers…starting with their own if possible. Take some classes on child rearing, go to the ‘Mommy and Me’ classes, learn baby CPR, and have a lot of patience and understanding. Be prepared! Your wife is going through so many changes; her hormones are so off-kilter and she might do some things that are unexpected. And if you find yourself stressed out, look at is as par for the course. Take pause and understand that weaker people than you have accomplished greater, so there is no reason why you can’t do this. Just immerse yourself in it. It’s so worth it!
AKA Mom: After watching you on Season 4 of Dancing with the Stars, everyone knows you’ve got the moves. And you can definitely light up the big screen. Will you be going for the triple threat and launch a singing career?
Ian: Oh, man! I sang on Broadway as a child. I still sing to my kids all the time, but I don’t know if I have the chops anymore. I did some cartoons in the 90’s that damaged my vocal chords. I can’t hit the high notes as flawlessly as I used to. I do love to sing though and can sing some things pretty well. But to embark on a singing career, that’s not me. To cut an album? No way.
AKA Mom: What’s next for you, your career, and your family?
Ian: Well, career wise, with the success of Sharknado, there is a lot going on — the sequel to that is going to happen in the next few months. In terms of my family, my wife and I are on the gardening committee for my daughter’s preschool, so tomorrow we will be tending to planting beds. We will be replanting the gardens with fruits and vegetables for my daughter’s school. After that, one day at a time. I like to live in and enjoy the moment.
Want to keep up with Ian? Be sure to follow him on Twitter at @IanZiering. To learn more about DaddyScrubs and to get your own pair, visit www.daddyscrubs.com.
Photo credit: Courtesy Daddyscrubs
