LYSANDRA’S AL.IVE The past nine years have been a whirlwind for TV reno queen Lysandra Fraser. For starters there’s been two stints on The Block, alongside her twin sister Alisa, the day to day running of their interiors business, and the launch of their successful hand and body lotion business - al.ive body - in the midle of a pandemic. Somehow she’s managed to do all this whilst raising her two boys Emerson, 11, and Cohen, 9. The sisters have now just released a new product – al.ive body baby - aimed at toddler and babies which features a hair/ body wash, body lotion and nappy cream.
What were your kids like when they were babies and what did you think of the range of baby lotions available back then? Emerson was fine, but Cohen was a nightmare! He had bad colic and reflux, so I don’t think I slept for more than two hours in a row for the first five months. I remember the range of lotions was fairly standard and there was a limited choice.
Was it scary launching a new business during COVID? Yes, it was a risk. With the country going into COVID lockdown and uncertainty, people questioned the timing of our start-up launch. However, we were confident we had the right product at the right time, given it was body washes and hand sanitisers! It’s been a crazy ride, with lessons learnt long the way, but it’s done extremely well.
What’s been toughest period of parenting? Right now is actually pretty tough. I wasn’t prepared for the stage when they both hate each other’s guts so much! They’re both very different and are just butting heads and arguing a lot. Emerson is really into sport and he’s more serious. Whereas Cohen hates sport and is loud and in your face. I’ve threatened to ban their 18
Nintendo Switches during the worst fights, but for the most part I just try to let it sort it out themselves, as whatever I say doesn’t have that much effect!
Do you ever get ‘mum guilt’? Oh yeah! I try to do things with them like play cricket and basketball and take them to the pool or beach, but then there are times you’re too tired or can’t be bothered and that’s when the guilt kicks in! It’s hard work, nothing really prepares you for having children. Once you think you have it all figured out, they enter another stage and the whole figuring out stage starts again.
What kind of a mum are you? I try to be the cool mum. At times I’d like to be stricter, but I don’t think I have it in me!
What’s been the hardest moment? Both of them had the croup virus at different times. Cohen had it when he was three and actually stopped breathing in the doctor’s office. He was turning blue and had to be rushed by ambulance to hospital. Then Emerson had it when he was eight and was struggling to breathe at home. That time I had to call the ambulance myself. Both those times were so scary. It just goes to show you how quickly things can turn when you have a virus and that you need to be vigilant about your health.
