owner and founder of Newton Living
BCM: If you could describe fatherhood in one word, what would it be?
MR: Illuminating
BCM: What’s one moment in your fatherhood journey that has made you proud?
MR: Being in the delivery room when my first child was born changed me forever. Lately, I feel most proud watching my 3 children play harmoniously together without any adult interference.
BCM: What is one piece of advice you want to pass along to your children?
MR: Believe in yourself
BCM: Congratulations on the success of Newton Living and your Wovenaire Crib Mattress! What was your inspiration behind starting the brand?
MR: Getting some sleep. I have been creating products to help adults sleep better almost all my life, but when my children were born sleep became a huge topic in our house. Between safety concerns and irregular hours, my wife and I were wrecks. I thought there must be a better way. The way my kids were sleeping just didn’t make sense to me, so I set out to create a better mattress. I felt there had to be a better way to bring safety and comfort to the nursery, giving parents comfort and peace of mind to get some sleep themselves!
BCM: What is your best sleep tip that you love to pass along to other parents?
MR: I recommend parents keep regular hours, don’t teach bad habits by breaking routines just to make little ones happy.
BCM: What is one thing parents should look for when shopping for a crib mattress?
MR: Breathability is the most important thing parents should look for when shopping for crib mattresses. It is the innovation I am most proud to bring to this space as the Wovenaire Crib Mattress by Newton Living is the only breathable, washable and sustainable mattress out there. Even when babies start to rollover, parents don’t need to worry and going back into the room through the night as this mattress allows the babies to breathe straight through – reducing suffocation risk significantly.
BCM: What is one piece of advice you would pass along to other parents?
MR: The advice is the same as what I would pass along to my children- Believe in yourself…be consistent even when you’d prefer to give in, children respect and appreciate consistency. Teach self-confidence by letting your children fail.
BCM: How do you tackle work/life balance?
MR: When I work, I work really hard and when I’m with my children I try to set it aside so I can be present for them.
BCM: What is your favorite thing to do to relax and unwind?
MR: Seeing a show with my wife is my favorite way to relax and unwind amidst the hustle and bustle of New York City. Our favorite show to-date was Hamilton
BCM: What is your best parenting hack?
MR: Tickling! Best way to shift gears and get my kids back in the swing of things, even in the most trying moments.
BCM: If you could hand off one chore to someone else each day, what would it be?
MR: If I could hand off one chore to someone else each day, it would definitely be monitoring my oldest boy’s screen time. This is one battle I am exhausted by these days!
BCM: What is the best white lie that you’ve told your child?
MR: The best white lie I have told my children is ‘the subways are closed today.’ It’s definitive, and while you may try to argue with dad, you can’t argue with mass transit.
BCM: What was the last book you read?
MR: The last book I read was 1776
***MORE FUN FACTS***
Favorite Outdoor Activity:
Skiing
FAVORITE FORM OF EXCERCISE:
Swimming
FAVORITE APP:
Sleep Studio Plus
What is on your DVR?
Right now, the news, Game of Thrones and Silicone Valley