Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi now goes to bed at 7 p.m. and tells her kids that she was acting on 'Jersey Shore'

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi. It has been edited for length and clarity.

I'm best known for being a party girl, which I definitely was when I first starred on MTV's "Jersey Shore." These days, I still love going for drinks occasionally, but my whole world is centered on being a mom.

When I was first pregnant, people in public would often wonder how I could do it. I heard them asking, "What is she going to do? Leave her babies?" But to me, the transition from party girl to mom always felt very natural. I was going out partying, looking for my husband. Then I found him, and it was natural to settle down and raise our kids.

Plus, I did it all. Literally, did it all. I definitely feel like I got it out of my system. Now I'm happy to be in bed with my babies at 7 p.m. watching a movie.

My kids have stinky hobbies

Today, my kids are 13, 11, and 6 years old. I'm feeling all the emotions as a mom.

There's a bit of an age gap there, but it's nice. I still have my baby, but my older two are more independent. It takes a load off your shoulders when they can shower on their own.

Parenting definitely gets easier as they get older, although it's challenging to make individual time for each of the kids.

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Lorenzo, my oldest, plays football. Giovanna does competitive cheer. I'm constantly giving them a "StinkCheck" because when they walk in after practice, they stink.

My mudroom has that sweaty, dirty, after sports smell. I'm constantly spraying Lysol Air Sanitizer, which I've partnered with to promote their "StinkCheck" campaign, or telling Lorenzo to clean his equipment.

I always try to keep my house in order for me and the kids because I just don't do good with disorganization. I'm in a better mood when the house is tidy and organized.

I told my son I was acting on 'Jersey Shore'

I haven't shown my kids "Jersey Shore," but my son Lorenzo is on TikTok, so he's seen clips. I tell him, "Mommy's an actor. They told me to do that. That's not real. It was a setup."

When they're older — maybe in their 20s — I'll tell them the truth: that was me. I was crazy and I was having fun. But for now? Mommy acts.

My kids know that my job is being a public figure. They hate it when I have to travel for work, but hopefully they realize that Mommy's working so they can have a better life and attend any college they want.

Right now, they don't have any clue — they just think mommy is embarrassing.

I never had a nanny, but I rely on my parents and in-laws

My parents watch the kids regularly, and my husband Jionni's parents help too. Every Sunday night, we have a family dinner at my mother-in-law's house.

My husband Jionni and I never had a nanny. I didn't grow up that way, and I didn't want my kids to grow up like that either. I wanted to keep everything with the kids close to home and within the family.

Luckily, our family is so great with that.

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