I Don’t Know How She Does It – Rachel Hollis

I met Rachel Hollis from Chic Events and My Chic Life at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. We were both there working our tails off for a big client activation, trudging along Main St. through several feet of falling snow day and night, emailing at 2am and then back at it at 8am. Then she mentioned in passing, around midnight one night, while effortlessly managing a team of a dozen employees with a friendly smile on her face, that she was three months pregnant. With her third. I instantly offered to get her a chair but she politely declined. She was fine. As a mother to two busy boys (Jackson, 5 and Sawyer, 3) with one more on the way, a wife, the founder of her own event planning business, a lifestyle blogger and regular contributor to Traditional Home, among other things, I would say she is doing more than just fine.

Here’s “how she does it”:

What time does your day start and how?

I usually start around 7:30 when one or both of my toddlers starts jumping on our bed and asking us to turn on Dora for them. I make breakfast and get them ready for school before my hubby takes them to class. Once the house is quiet I take my coffee up to the office and start on emails (usually in my pj’s) and work for a couple hours before actually showering or doing anything human.

What time does your day end and how?

We trade off bedtimes. If it’s my night then I’m taking the boys through their nighttime routine: bath, pjs, teeth brushing, books, prayers, etc before heading downstairs and collapsing into bed myself. I’m 7 months pregnant so if it’s nighttime you’ll usually find me in bed with my feet up WAY earlier than should be legal. In real (non pregnancy life) we’ll usually fall asleep by 11:30, right now, I’m lucky if I can keep my eyes open past 10pm.

Do you work from home or in an office? What is the set up like?

I have a home office upstairs and away from all the other rooms in the house. It has my desk and a couple of desks that freelancers or interns use when they come into work. It’s feminine and eclectic and totally my style. If you want a sneak peek you can check it out here.

Do you see/speak to your kids throughout your work day? If yes, how/when?

Yes, the boys will come in several times a day, it’s actually something I love about working from home. The nanny takes care of them when they’re out of school but we usually have lunch together in the kitchen or if it’s a slower day they’ll come in and color at my desk. I try and enforce the rule that if the office door is closed they can’t come inside but a 3 year old doesn’t always understand that.

What is the best thing about being a working mom? Hardest thing?

The best part is that I’m fulfilled and challenged. I love working and I can’t imagine giving it up. I used to have massive guilt when I went back to work after my first son was born but then I realized that I’m (God-willing) the only mother they’ll ever know and I have to be true to myself. I hope I’m teaching them that women can be successful and powerful just like men… that mommy can have a cool job just like daddy.

The worst part is juggling it all. Even though I work I’m still mom. I still want to help with homework and make sure they’re eating well and teaching them to be responsible little people. It’s a lot to juggle and not something I think their dad worries about as much as I do.

Be honest, what is one thing you envy about stay at home moms?

Not having to worry or think constantly about what the next step is. It seems like it’d be a more peaceful existence not to be constantly managing the family and the business at the same time.

Answer the question “I don’t know how you do it?” in ten words or less

High Energy. Little Sleep. Caffeine. Duct Tape. Supportive Husband. Martha. – Martha is our nanny ; )

And here is just a glimpse at what Rachel is coveting right now – for mommy and he and he and he…

From top left:

Mini Boden for her boys

Clarisonic Mia

Bioelements Skin Care

Hatch Collection

L.A.M.B. Footwear

ADIDAS Infant Shoes