Leslie Thuet, 25
Publicist; married with one son, age three―Las Vegas

Goal: More time for myself

Her challenge: A classic harried working mom, Leslie leaves the house at 8:15 A.M. and doesn’t get home until 6:30 P.M., and sometimes works nights and weekends. She struggles to make dinner, clean, tend to her son and husband, and get to bed at a decent hour. Leslie was so frantic during the week that she kept her diary―in part because she spent eight hours preparing for and attending her mother’s birthday party―that she was up past midnight three times, skipped several meals, and managed to wash her hair only once. Says Leslie, “I seldom have time to read, paint my toenails, catch up with my girlfriends for cocktails, or, of course, work out. I wish I would have a few extra days a month just to catch up on everything!”

Leslie’s Diary

Friday

• 7:30 A.M.: Wake up for work, extremely tired from working all week while trying to plan for the party (Mom’s 50th surprise birthday). Quickly shower, no time to wash hair or eat breakfast. My parents will be taking my son, Brenan, to day care later today (parents are staying with the family until Monday).
• 8:40 A.M.: Finalize last-minute details with my dad.
• 8:50 A.M.: Run out the door, late. Did not have time to pack a lunch.
• 9:00 A.M.: On the freeway, realize I forgot to leave the car seat for my parents! Take the next exit and turn around.
• 9:30 A.M.: Arrive to work a half hour late. Eat a prepackaged, high-calorie muffin that I find in abundance on the break-room table.
• 9:45 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.: Work nonstop trying to jam out all my weekly documents so I can leave by 4:30 today to prepare for the party at my aunt’s house. Did not even have time to take a lunch break. Make several party calls throughout the day to the caterer and bakery and to family members to delegate tasks. Have my dad do the shopping, my husband pick up and drop off the margarita machine, and my brother pick up the cake and the ice cream. By four o’clock I have had a crazy day. I am almost finished with all my work and completely famished. I eat a rice cake (chocolate) to hold me over until the party. So far I have not made very healthy eating choices today.
• 4:30 P.M.: Finish my work and run across the street to the party store to buy last-minute balloons, tablecloths, and decorations.
• 5:15 P.M.: Arrive at my aunt’s house. Start setting up.
• 6:00 P.M.: Food arrives. Start setting up food.
• 6:30 P.M. to 11:00 P.M.: Party―entertain guests. My mom is very surprised! Don’t get a chance to eat anything until after 9 P.M.
• 11:00 P.M.: My husband, Craig, leaves with Brenan. I stay and finish cleaning up.
• 12:00 A.M.: Finished cleaning, I’m exhausted. Stay and have a glass of wine with my aunt, uncle, mom, and dad.
• 1:30 A.M.: In bed. Finally!