Know a working mom who handles the juggle with grace and ease? Tell us about her.

In this Q and A we ask Eddie P, a very busy exec with “two great kids” from Maryland, how she handles a high-pressure cooker of a job with grace, ease and a huge smile.

MomstoWork: Is there something you’ve learned from experience that makes juggling work and family go more easily?

For me, the key has been to use two calendars. The first is my Outlook. It’s my bible and everything goes in there (no matter how small – including reminders to do things!). The second is the family calendar so everyone can see the major events – and everyone has a color so we can keep track of who is doing what so we don’t double book. So far it seems to be working!

MomtoWork: You seem to do it with grace. What’s your secret?

Eddie:  Grace… me? I think grace is knowing how to laugh at yourself and knowing how to pick the stuff that’s really important so you don’t loose your mind trying to be everything to everyone… and that’s a constant learning experience. Best thing I’ve learned, though – is take time for myself  (it helps keep the sanity in check)!

Momstowork: What is your daily schedule?

Eddie: Weekdays: Wake up, prep everyone for school/work, drop off everyone at the bus stop/school/metro, then drive to work myself (treat myself to Starbucks if I’m running on time!), then a day of work. Evenings are sometimes iffy with work, so they most always involve coordinating pickups for the kids, dinner, homework, goofing with the kids, putting the kids to bed, and then taking care of picking things up (easier to do a little each night), e-mails/movie/work usually.

Weekends: Errands (grocery/Target) whenever is convenient around birthdays, fun with the kids, and cleaning around the house.

Momstowork: What happens when a kid gets sick or you get the call from school saying “come now”?

I go immediately! My office is very understanding about this and there is never a question that the kids come first!

Momstowork: Where do you go for support and backup other than your husband?

Probably my mom mostly, and then girlfriends. I have an amazing network of friends!

Before you had kids, did you agree with your husband on how you’d manage the balancing act of work and family?
We both agreed we would continue to work and just work together to balance work/family – but always have agreed that the kids come first.

Have you ever stayed home with the kids full-time? How did you feel?
The only time I stayed home full time was on maternity leave. I love my kids but not everyone is wired to stay at home 100%. And I didn’t want to turn into a stereotypical soccer mom and overly schedule them.  I think working gives them a good sense of balance and what the world is like – and that women can have it all and be anything they want to be!

If you won Lotto tomorrow, would you leave work?
Oddly enough, probably not. I love what I do, but always say it would be great if there wasn’t so much to do all the time. I might cut back on my hours, and try volunteering more so I could do more with the kids. As they get older, they are turning into great people that I want to hang out with more just like I do my ‘grown-up’ friends.

Editor’s note: How do you handle the juggle?

Do you have a central diary that you and your spouse can access online? Or an old fashioned bit of paper? Are there resources you can suggest to other working moms? Please leave us a comment or tweet us at @momstowork

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