Model and mom of boys Alex Flügel on the challenges of being a "two under two" mom, balancing family and career, and remaining me-time

Alex Flügel traveled the world as an international model until she met her true love and now had her second child - just 16 months after her first birth.

As a mother of two young boys, Alex doesn't always have it easy, but she knows how to balance her family life with her professional life while still finding time for herself. Today, she talks to us about how Alex Flügel manages the dual challenges of being a "two under two" mom and working two jobs as a model and PR consultant.

1. You're a mom of two under two. That certainly brings with it daily challenges. How do you organize your daily routine?

For the first three months with two under two, our everyday life was really... often unromantic! We lived on the fourth floor with 80 steps and 90 to the washing machine. I carried both children up every day, leaving shopping downstairs, which I often didn't have upstairs. We managed somehow, but it was difficult. Now we have a new apartment on the first floor with a shared garden, which has made things easier. I manage most things on my own and am still happy when my husband is home in the evenings and we can put the children to bed together. He goes to work during the day, so I'm at home full time at the moment.

2. On your Instagram channel, you share very realistic accounts of everyday life as a mom and regularly make us smile. Where do you get your sense of humor from? Are you really always so relaxed?

I got my sense of humor from my father! He has a keen sense of humor and a mischievous streak. We've often secretly laughed together in situations that no one else would have found so funny. I also got a gentler view of the world from him. Most things that happen aren't REALLY bad. In the existential sense, are they? Of course, children can sometimes push you to your limits. It's no different for me. For example, when I'm making the beds at 3 a.m. and showering one child because something went wrong. The other one wakes up and cries. A tired zombie looks back at me in the mirror. It's such an absurd situation that I usually have to laugh. In the end, how you deal with it is always a decision you make in your head.

3. What does your typical day-to-day life look like? Tell us!

Where do I begin? In the morning? I'm lucky that my husband takes our eldest son to daycare. This slows down our mornings, and I can start the day relatively stress-free. However, as it progresses, it gradually picks up speed. In the morning, I usually try to do the housework, do the shopping, and prepare meals. Ideally, there's still time for a coffee with a friend. Blink three times, and the time's up! Then we pick up the eldest from daycare and these days go to our garden very often! Here, I can devote myself completely to the children—after all, their needs must be met. Playing, changing diapers, breastfeeding, comforting—I have my hands full. I'm usually missing a hand, so I'm glad when the door opens and a "playdate" ensues, or when my husband comes home in the evening. Then "crunch time" begins: family dinner, getting the kids ready for bed, and, at the same time, managing the chaos and helping them sleep. Bam Bam Bam, it happens one after the other and there isn't really a break.

4. Do you still have time for yourself? If so, what do you enjoy doing most?

Right now, there's no time for myself at all. Honestly. It's so crazy. I would never, ever have thought it would. When there's a brief moment of peace and quiet because a child is sleeping or playing, I usually do a "to-do." One of what feels like a million to-dos that never seem to diminish. That's not me-time. Sometimes I hope for some time in the evening, but the baby is also falling asleep late at the moment. Afterwards, my eyes are often heavy as lead, I quickly tidy something up, and then fall into bed. The party continues at night. Breastfeeding here, chasing away a nightmare there. I can only do something for myself when the grandparents, the aunt, or a babysitter comes. Then I go out to dinner with a friend, treat myself to a beauty treatment, do some work on my laptop—or I go to the gym! There's childcare there where I can easily leave the baby. Most of the time, I can really unwind here.

5. Do you have any tips to make everyday life easier for moms?

With two and two, the engine revved up strongly, and my first tip is to slow it down again: Less is more. If we take on too much, it often becomes stressful. A vacation car ride that's too long, for example. Too many appointments during the week. I'm currently "downgrading" our entire life – I just had to cancel a wedding in Austria with a heavy heart because we simply can't make it. Tip 2: Be prepared. This was never my strong suit, but you grow with your tasks. I often cook dinner in the morning. Sometimes I lay out clothes the night before. Pack a bag an hour before we leave. Write lists to combat breastfeeding dementia. Honestly, sometimes I don't recognize myself! Tip 3: Create little free spaces. Quality time for each family member to recharge. I can admit, though, that we're still bad at this (currently). We need to get better at it, because I know it's inspiring! Tip 4 is the most important: Take a deep breath and realize that this is a special phase of life that will one day be over. Perhaps it's the most beautiful phase of life? Every day, you experience so much sweetness, love, innocence, playfulness, tenderness, and observe human development up close. Two under two is certainly a tough age, but it's a magical age. It's better than Netflix!

6. You've been modeling for a long time, and we're especially happy that you posed for our current AW19/20 collection while pregnant with your first son . How did you get into modeling, and what have been your highlights so far?

I was also very happy to work for you and to come to my favorite city, Berlin! I got into modeling because I simply applied. It's not a thrilling story! Throughout my youth, people kept telling me, "You have to model" – I couldn't do anything with it. It seemed so far away. It wasn't until I was in college that I needed a part-time job, and the topic came up again. Many friends worked as hostesses at trade shows, so I applied to a promotion agency. Even they told me, "You really have to model." "Okay, then I guess I have to model!" My grandma gave me a book by Heidi Klum, which really impressed me, and I googled the agency Heidi was signed to (at the time). On the website, I also found Claudia Schiffer, Gisele Bündchen… and in my naivety, I thought, "Okay, they must be serious, I'll apply." The next day, they called me back and wanted to meet me in person. I drove to Hamburg and was hired right away. It was really easy. It wasn't until months later that I realized what a huge honor it was and that I was anything but taken for granted to be accepted by such a renowned agency!!!

7. Tell us about your work as a PR consultant. What do you enjoy most about it?

After university, I really wanted to find out what it would be like to work full-time as a model for a year. To take part in every casting, every job and even go abroad. So I spent several weeks in Osaka, Athens and London and then got an apartment in Hamburg. In the end, it turned into five successful years in which I experienced and saw a lot, for which I am extremely grateful. It really is a dream job that has taken me to many special places around the world: Havana, Cape Town, Dubai, Oslo... the list is long! One day I wanted a new challenge. By chance I met the head of a Hamburg PR agency. I was able to do an internship there and then worked part-time as a PR consultant. It was a completely new challenge and I enjoyed it just as much because I love communication.

8. What are your future career plans?

Well, good question!!! I definitely have two mainstays that I really like! However, two new people have joined me. Time with my children is important to me. But so is professional development and a certain degree of financial independence. Somewhere in the middle... That would be nice! Ask me again in a year ;-)

9. And finally, we'd like to know what your favorite piece is from our current "WHAT ABOUT YOU?" collection?

I adore the Zebra Mobile iconic animal . It's so cute, and my kids adore it every day!

Thank you so much for the wonderful interview! We wish you all the best and look forward to more stories from your everyday life on your Instagram channel.

Click here to go to Alex's Instagram account.