How does she do it all? That’s what we wanted to find out.

“Expecting too much of yourself is a sure fire way to never feeling like you have accomplished something,” says Jeanette McLeod, a mother of four, who runs an online publishing business, Wizz-E, from her home in London, UK. Follower her on Twitter at @JeanetteMcLeod.

Wizz-e's magic book site. Jeanette's She's active on the Web and worth following on Twitter.

MomstoWork interviewed Jeanette to see how she manages to juggle work and family from a home office.

Either you are superwoman or you are well organized: How do manage four kids and a small business?

Ha ha ha. I think ALL mums are superwomen! We are naturally talented at multi-tasking. I do run my own business around the kids but other things [like housework] sometimes get left!

Because I am at home more I have found that the kids are actually less demanding. They need to know you are there but they
are also happy to play by themselves.

How do you apply the skills you learned as a former project manager balancing work and family?

Yes,  I was a project manager in a former life which helps in terms of
prioritizing tasks. And sometimes you have to recognize that certain
tasks aren’t that important. The kids come first and the rest has to
just fit in. You will NEVER have enough hours in the day. You just
have to focus on doing the things that matter the most. And then not
give yourself a hard time over the things you didn’t accomplish.

Do you work from a home office? If so, how do you telegraph to your family and friends that you are, indeed, at work?

Yes, I work from home. The kids know that when the door is closed then mummy is on the phone. When the door isn’t closed they are free to come and go. It creates a real and virtual boundary. I think that is important for you to have your own workspace too (although my office is full of toys!).

When do things go wrong? And what have you learned from experience about making everything go smoothly?

I can’t say I am an expert at making everything go smoothly. You can
only do your best. I generally do not answer the phone when I have the kids, instead I will wait until they are otherwise occupied and call back. That way they know that when I am there I am there for them.

Do you make time each week for social activities outside your kids and
work?

Sure! At weekends I try not to work. I also try to take time for me by
going to the gym/yoga. But most mum’s will recognize that time for
‘you’ is often at the bottom of the list!

How do you schedule such a busy life?

I have to have everything written on the calender or I’d forget! I
have even been known to set a reminder on my mobile phone to remember to collect them from school!!! I always have a ‘to do’ list that is reasonable. Expecting too much of yourself is a sure fire way to never feeling like you have accomplished something.

Did you ever stay at home full time with your kids without paid work?
No. Until I set up by myself I went ‘out to work’. I now have much
more time with the kids on my terms.

What prompted you to start an online publishing business?

I am passionate about getting kids reading more. I recognised that
children can learn to develop a love of books and spend more time
reading when it is fun. As a busy parent myself it is not always easy
to find opportunities to read aloud. I wanted to make screen time
educational time too. So http://www.wizz-e.com was a way that kids
could use the computer, have fun and be reading at the same time.

Jeanette’s site, Wizz-e.com, brings the magic of books to life for young children. Read along to the story, watch the animated illustrations or click on a word to hear it spoken. Try a free ebook.

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