As the face of the wedding industry, Carley Roney has created a brand focused on life milestones. She is the co-founder (with her husband, David Liu) and Editor-in-chief of TheKnot.com and its sister site, TheNest.com and the author of seven wedding books from The Knot.

Between her two children Cairo, 2 and Havana, 9, her frequent TV appearances, and a number of new additions to her burgeoning media empire, Carley's pace is fast and constant. Here she shares the method to her own balancing act.

Samantha: What is a typical day like for you?

Carley: Up at 7am. Give my babies breakfast. Babysitter arrives at 7:30. Jump in shower. All rush out the door at 8. My job is always exciting. Some days are spent at photo shoots for the magazines, some on TV shoots or in the voice over studio, and some days just spent in the office. Work is always a mad dash from meeting to meeting while trying to steal time away to make headway on more strategic projects. I manage 6 teams, about 40 people. I have amazing people who work for me and amazing projects so while stressful, it is still fun. Lunch at my desk or at someone else's. The afternoon is the same. If I don't have some work event or dinner, I rush to get home before my babies have their bath 7ish so I can wash them, read books, and put them to bed. Dinner always happens after (fortunately, my babysitter cooks for me!) Then often more work, but if I am lucky, or simply too beat to think anymore, David and I watch something stored on Tivo til midnight.

Samantha: What is your childcare situation?

Carley: For the past 8 years my husband's mom Jane has taken care of our kids, as is Chinese tradition. But for the past 6 months, David's mom has been back in Taiwan taking care of her ailing mother so our longtime housekeeper/babysitter Suelene is manning the helm. She's truly amazing -- there sometimes til 12 midnight then back again at 7 AM. She is positive and takes wonderful care of my kids they are always off on adventures or playing in the park. My house is always spotless, she cooks amazing Brazilian food, shops, etc. Honestly, I am the luckiest mom alive with either my mom in law or my babysitter. I couldn't do it without them.

Samantha: How does working with your husband impact your juggling act?

Carley: Actually it is easier. Our "us time" is often while traveling for work or out at dinners with our cool clients or business associates. We can catch up on the way home from work so when we get home we can really devote ourselves to our kids.

Samantha: Has your nanny ever called in sick leaving you without care? How did you handle it?

Carley: Never. And even if she did, the upside of having started a business is that no one would say a word if I didn't show up one day!

Samantha: Does working with your husband make it difficult to leave work behind when you return home?

Carley: Sometimes. If things are really stressful at work, it is hard to stop talking or strategizing when you get home if the person is right there. But we've learned. We just don't talk about work that much at home. I make a mental note and wait til the next day til we are on our way into work.

Samantha: What is the best thing about working with your spouse?

Carley: We really understand what the other person is going through. And we all have a shared mission if he has to work late or travel, I completely understand and can be 100% supportive because we are on the same team, so to speak. Also, it is exciting to be building a business together! It is almost like another child. You can be so proud and excited at the successes.

Samantha: And the most challenging aspect?

Carley: You can't get the sympathy you need. Normal couples can say, "There is this annoying co-worker (or boss!) and they did this " and a normal spouse would say, "What a jerk that really sucks for you!" But with us, the other person actually knows the situation and the co-worker, and they try to solve the problem for you or give you some perspective when all you really want to hear is, "That sucks!" Also, you can't hide if you weren't your most professional self one day, the other person was there to witness it and you have to come home and know your spouse knows it.

Samantha: How do you handle work travel? How do your kids respond to it?

Carley: My kids hate it when I travel, but are kind of used to it at this point. I have to travel probably 1 or 2 times per month. We try to schedule it so that we aren't both away at once but that isn't always possible. I am not the type to call a lot I check in once but I think it is harder for the kids when they hear your voice. I like to leave notes.

Samantha: What women do you most admire for their ability to balance?

Carley: Every day I think of single working moms. I don't know how they get up in the morning and make it all happen. If I didn't have my husband to rely on to assist me with life at home and the kids I would crack. I admire those moms and am always trying to think of some way in the future to help them either in my business or in my own personal work. Haven't thought of anything yet.

Samantha: Are most of your friends working or stay-at-home moms?

Carley: 50-30-20. Working - Working part time/at home - Stay at home. I hate the whole working mom vs. not working mom debate. No body has it cushy. It is all work. I think it is probably easier to go to work than it is to stay at home I would not be that good at it.

Samantha: There is a seven year age difference between your children. How does that gap contribute to your ability to balance?

Carley: In many ways The Knot is another child and given that Havana was born when the knot was about 1, The Knot is practically Havana's twin. There was not a lot of time to go around so I was glad that I devoted all there was to Havana. We had our second when we finally had a bit more time and Havana was a bit older and had her own life, school and friends. Havana is a huge help in caring for her baby brother, Cairo. It at least means I can get a shower in she will take care of him for at least an hour if I need it.

Samantha: If you had an extra hour each day how would you spend it?

Carley: No question, with my kids. I would take it in the middle of the day, bring salami sandwiches, and take them to the playground. I love the playground, I could stay there and play chase with them for hours.

To learn more about Carley Roney visit www.theknot.com.

Printed from the Modern Mom website: www.modernmom.com - on November 20, 2008
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