Anonymous wrote:I have 3 kids 5, 7, 9 and work as a senior (C-level) marketing executive. My husband is an ER doctor. I worked through all three kids' baby, toddler, and preschool years and continue to do so. During that window, my career exploded and I went through several levels at my company (director, to senior director, to product VP, to VP, to CMO). How did I do it?

First, I am a very, very organized person. I was very organized prior to having kids and was the default manager of our lives, due to my husband's residency (we had kids once he finished training). Second, I know when to fold 'em. I am not going to do things 100 percent perfectly. I view getting things 80 percent done sufficient for my own sanity. So, I didn't push myself on things. I nursed until it was too inconvenient or my supply didn't keep up with demand. My kids were sleep trained around 6 months or so. I didn't get bogged down on the baby stuff. The kids were fed, clean, and loved. Whether or not I made food from scratch or from a pouch wasn't a hill I was willing to die on.

Third, we had a nanny. My oldest went to daycare, but with costs, it became cheaper just to bring her on. It costs the equivalent to our mortgage, but it was absolutely worth it and I was able to work through two levels of promotions due to her support. We even kept the nanny on board as a house manager/nanny now that the kids are in elementary school. She's just an amazing, amazing person.

Fourth, my husband and I both handle meal planning, logistics, etc. Sometimes when things are hectic, he will work overnights or two doubles on the weekend so we can drive the kids to sports, etc.

Finally, I simplified my own life. I have a capsule wardrobe so I don't spend more than a few minutes determining what to wear (my sister who I love dearly admitted to spending 30 minutes trying clothes on. I ain't got time for that. I have a cute chin length bob that is easy to style. I have a fairly simple makeup routine. And I exercise pretty much daily at the gym at my office during lunch, opting to eat at my desk (where I eat pretty much the same salad from the restaurant below for the past 10 years). So, I'm boring in ways, but get things done.

I thought long and hard about being home, but I realized I enjoyed working and have seen a dramatic increase in what I make. I actually outearn my husband by 3 times. So, for me, it worked out.

Anonymous wrote:Are the kids' other parents involved?

No one really asks how men do this.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have 3 kids 5, 7, 9 and work as a senior (C-level) marketing executive. My husband is an ER doctor. I worked through all three kids' baby, toddler, and preschool years and continue to do so. During that window, my career exploded and I went through several levels at my company (director, to senior director, to product VP, to VP, to CMO). How did I do it?

First, I am a very, very organized person. I was very organized prior to having kids and was the default manager of our lives, due to my husband's residency (we had kids once he finished training). Second, I know when to fold 'em. I am not going to do things 100 percent perfectly. I view getting things 80 percent done sufficient for my own sanity. So, I didn't push myself on things. I nursed until it was too inconvenient or my supply didn't keep up with demand. My kids were sleep trained around 6 months or so. I didn't get bogged down on the baby stuff. The kids were fed, clean, and loved. Whether or not I made food from scratch or from a pouch wasn't a hill I was willing to die on.

Third, we had a nanny. My oldest went to daycare, but with costs, it became cheaper just to bring her on. It costs the equivalent to our mortgage, but it was absolutely worth it and I was able to work through two levels of promotions due to her support. We even kept the nanny on board as a house manager/nanny now that the kids are in elementary school. She's just an amazing, amazing person.

Fourth, my husband and I both handle meal planning, logistics, etc. Sometimes when things are hectic, he will work overnights or two doubles on the weekend so we can drive the kids to sports, etc.

Finally, I simplified my own life. I have a capsule wardrobe so I don't spend more than a few minutes determining what to wear (my sister who I love dearly admitted to spending 30 minutes trying clothes on. I ain't got time for that. I have a cute chin length bob that is easy to style. I have a fairly simple makeup routine. And I exercise pretty much daily at the gym at my office during lunch, opting to eat at my desk (where I eat pretty much the same salad from the restaurant below for the past 10 years). So, I'm boring in ways, but get things done.

I thought long and hard about being home, but I realized I enjoyed working and have seen a dramatic increase in what I make. I actually outearn my husband by 3 times. So, for me, it worked out.

This is exactly how people to this! Kudos to you, lady!

To OP - if you are not an organized person, you cannot even begin to do this.

Anonymous wrote:I have 3 kids 5, 7, 9 and work as a senior (C-level) marketing executive. My husband is an ER doctor. I worked through all three kids' baby, toddler, and preschool years and continue to do so. During that window, my career exploded and I went through several levels at my company (director, to senior director, to product VP, to VP, to CMO). How did I do it?

First, I am a very, very organized person. I was very organized prior to having kids and was the default manager of our lives, due to my husband's residency (we had kids once he finished training). Second, I know when to fold 'em. I am not going to do things 100 percent perfectly. I view getting things 80 percent done sufficient for my own sanity. So, I didn't push myself on things. I nursed until it was too inconvenient or my supply didn't keep up with demand. My kids were sleep trained around 6 months or so. I didn't get bogged down on the baby stuff. The kids were fed, clean, and loved. Whether or not I made food from scratch or from a pouch wasn't a hill I was willing to die on.

Third, we had a nanny. My oldest went to daycare, but with costs, it became cheaper just to bring her on. It costs the equivalent to our mortgage, but it was absolutely worth it and I was able to work through two levels of promotions due to her support. We even kept the nanny on board as a house manager/nanny now that the kids are in elementary school. She's just an amazing, amazing person.

Fourth, my husband and I both handle meal planning, logistics, etc. Sometimes when things are hectic, he will work overnights or two doubles on the weekend so we can drive the kids to sports, etc.

Finally, I simplified my own life. I have a capsule wardrobe so I don't spend more than a few minutes determining what to wear (my sister who I love dearly admitted to spending 30 minutes trying clothes on. I ain't got time for that. I have a cute chin length bob that is easy to style. I have a fairly simple makeup routine. And I exercise pretty much daily at the gym at my office during lunch, opting to eat at my desk (where I eat pretty much the same salad from the restaurant below for the past 10 years). So, I'm boring in ways, but get things done.

I thought long and hard about being home, but I realized I enjoyed working and have seen a dramatic increase in what I make. I actually outearn my husband by 3 times. So, for me, it worked out.

Anonymous wrote:I have 3 kids 5, 7, 9 and work as a senior (C-level) marketing executive. My husband is an ER doctor. I worked through all three kids' baby, toddler, and preschool years and continue to do so. During that window, my career exploded and I went through several levels at my company (director, to senior director, to product VP, to VP, to CMO). How did I do it?

First, I am a very, very organized person. I was very organized prior to having kids and was the default manager of our lives, due to my husband's residency (we had kids once he finished training). Second, I know when to fold 'em. I am not going to do things 100 percent perfectly. I view getting things 80 percent done sufficient for my own sanity. So, I didn't push myself on things. I nursed until it was too inconvenient or my supply didn't keep up with demand. My kids were sleep trained around 6 months or so. I didn't get bogged down on the baby stuff. The kids were fed, clean, and loved. Whether or not I made food from scratch or from a pouch wasn't a hill I was willing to die on.

Third, we had a nanny. My oldest went to daycare, but with costs, it became cheaper just to bring her on. It costs the equivalent to our mortgage, but it was absolutely worth it and I was able to work through two levels of promotions due to her support. We even kept the nanny on board as a house manager/nanny now that the kids are in elementary school. She's just an amazing, amazing person.

Fourth, my husband and I both handle meal planning, logistics, etc. Sometimes when things are hectic, he will work overnights or two doubles on the weekend so we can drive the kids to sports, etc.

Finally, I simplified my own life. I have a capsule wardrobe so I don't spend more than a few minutes determining what to wear (my sister who I love dearly admitted to spending 30 minutes trying clothes on. I ain't got time for that. I have a cute chin length bob that is easy to style. I have a fairly simple makeup routine. And I exercise pretty much daily at the gym at my office during lunch, opting to eat at my desk (where I eat pretty much the same salad from the restaurant below for the past 10 years). So, I'm boring in ways, but get things done.

I thought long and hard about being home, but I realized I enjoyed working and have seen a dramatic increase in what I make. I actually outearn my husband by 3 times. So, for me, it worked out.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have 4 kids and I work an 80% schedule (4 8hr days). My kids are 8, 7, 3, and 15m. I have a nanny share for the baby (nanny splits her time between 2 houses) and the older 3 are in school 8:15-3:30.

I work 6:30-4. DH does mornings and I am home when they get home from school. DH also works full time, often long hours but he has flexibility.

I schedule as many appts as possible for Fridays (my day off) and that's also when I do my errands and other stuff. Nanny works until 12 on Fridays so I am kid-free until then. I even make it to the gym sometimes!

I have a lot of friends who work with 3+ kids. Its hectic but we all seem to manage.

FWIW - I am a federal atty and my DH works in the private sector. I am also able to work from home often which really helps.

How long is your and DH's commute to work? Is your job relatively relaxed or you have a lot of deadlines to meet?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have 4 kids and I work an 80% schedule (4 8hr days). My kids are 8, 7, 3, and 15m. I have a nanny share for the baby (nanny splits her time between 2 houses) and the older 3 are in school 8:15-3:30.

I work 6:30-4. DH does mornings and I am home when they get home from school. DH also works full time, often long hours but he has flexibility.

I schedule as many appts as possible for Fridays (my day off) and that's also when I do my errands and other stuff. Nanny works until 12 on Fridays so I am kid-free until then. I even make it to the gym sometimes!

I have a lot of friends who work with 3+ kids. Its hectic but we all seem to manage.

FWIW - I am a federal atty and my DH works in the private sector. I am also able to work from home often which really helps.

Anonymous wrote:I have 4 kids and I work an 80% schedule (4 8hr days). My kids are 8, 7, 3, and 15m. I have a nanny share for the baby (nanny splits her time between 2 houses) and the older 3 are in school 8:15-3:30.

I work 6:30-4. DH does mornings and I am home when they get home from school. DH also works full time, often long hours but he has flexibility.

I schedule as many appts as possible for Fridays (my day off) and that's also when I do my errands and other stuff. Nanny works until 12 on Fridays so I am kid-free until then. I even make it to the gym sometimes!

I have a lot of friends who work with 3+ kids. Its hectic but we all seem to manage.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How do they do it? I work for a non profit and one of the directors has 5 kids ages 4 to 16. Another woman program manager has 5 kids under 12th grade. They don't have nannies. I am a 46 year old single woman, and no kids, no husband. I don't see how these women have the time for their family or their professional life.

Why don't you ask either of them how they do it? I think some women find motherhood easy and are naturally good at it. I am a mother of 3 and wouldn't put myself in that category. I get stressed out managing it all while several of my friends seem to thrive with all the chaos and juggling. Why the judgment, OP because it sounds like you are making one. Women with 4 kids shouldn't work? Women with 4 kids cannot be effective managers or directors? Women can't do it all? Should I also assume that because you are single and have no kids that you probably have way to much time on your hands and spend a lot of it poking your nose in other people's business?