A schedule that starts with donuts and ends with wine (sometimes)

Hi friends, it’s Danielle. Thank you all for the messages today on Val’s account – so sweet! I promised you a more play-by-play of my schedule and how I balance a 60+ hr work week with #momlife.

If you missed Val’s Instagram stories here is a quick recap:

Val and I have been friends for over 25 years and our babies were born the same day!
I have three kids – A four year old (Thatcher), a two year old (Rothschild), and 10 month old baby (Sloane / S.Grey)
Full disclosure: we have a nanny who is with us from 7:30-4:30 M-F. My partner owns his own business and he travels during the week and I will do a few LA trips each month (which include a lot of pumping on bathroom floors).

(Photo by Val)

I have held executive roles in both product and marketing for start-ups and large companies and currently lead marketing for an LA based start-up, Fitz Frames, that make custom, 3D printed glasses for kids – all via your phone app. A lot of people (including my parents), will tell me to “slow down” and “relax” but truthfully, I am not wired that way. Here is a sampling of a typical day:

4:00 – 6:00am – wake up, pump and work time. I really find the Pomodoro method hugely helpful – especially when you start your day.

6:20ish – S.Grey wakes up, nurse her and get the other two kids up and dressed.

7:00am – make breakfast for kids and celery juice

7:30am – head to grab coffee and a donut. Yes, I eat a donut everyday. No, this isn’t BS – ask Val.

8:00am – school drop-off for Thatcher

9:00am – nurse and put S.Grey down for a nap

9:20am-9:45am – 5-6x / week I will do 20-30 min of the Peloton bike or treadmill. I really don’t find workouts > 30 minutes to be effective. Also, I don’t have time for it. I would also highly recommend @melissawoodhealth workouts (they are amazing for travel).

10:00-12:30pm – work time.

12:30-1:00pm – pick-up Thatcher and put kids down to nap (my nanny and I divide and conquer for Thatch/Roth, who have different schools and p/u times)

1:30-4:30 – work time

4:30-6:00pm – time with my babies. I love to cook and try to make dinner most nights. Then we do baths and bedtime routine

6:30-9:30ish – work time and generally, 1 glass of wine

A few questions I am frequently asked…

Do you sleep-in on weekends?

No. What does that even mean. But seriously, my body won’t do it.

Do you still breastfeed?

Yes. For my first two kids I nursed for 14 months and I am planning on doing the same with my last baby.

Wait, are you even around for your kids’ school functions?

Yes. In fact, I am room parent at my daughter’s school and on the fundraising board at my son’s.

Wait, your kids all nap and go to bed at 6pm?

Yes. My work schedule only “works” because of being disciplined. Research shows that children function best on 12hrs of rest and yes, I realize not all kids need this. My children all nap at the same time (usually 1ish -3pm) and yes, that includes my 4 year old. For all of my babies, I followed 12 hours in 12 weeks and it was amazing. It requires you to sacrifice your mom brunches and errand driving to maintain some sort of a schedule. This last time, I also used @takingcarababies and it was great!

I love to work. I love being a mom and I truly believe you can do it all. It requires ruthless prioritization and really focusing on the relationships that matter. I like to think that starting your day with a donut (honestly, donuts need a rebrand) and positive attitude helps.

Love to all out there!

Danielle