Keeping All the Balls in the Air: My Real-Life Tips for Balancing Family, Work, and Love

There’s a question I get asked all the time from women who are juggling careers, home life, and their personal relationships: “How do you manage it all?” The truth is – it’s very hard, especially if you give 100% to everything that you do. Each day brings its own set of challenges, and some days, I feel like I’m being pulled in a million directions. But here’s the thing: it’s about finding a rhythm that works for you, embracing the chaos, and sometimes, letting go of the idea that you have to do it all perfectly.

Hosting a Planned Parenthood fundraiser at my home.

I’ve learned that prioritizing, delegating, and most importantly, taking time for myself, are not just optional; they’re essential. Here are some of my strategies for keeping the wheels turning, and perhaps inspire you to find a balance that feels right, even if it’s perfectly imperfect.

Here’s How I Keep My World Spinning:

Priorities, priorities, priorities: Every Sunday evening, I sit down with a cup of tea and my planner. I look at the week ahead and decide what’s most important. Sometimes it means the kids’ soccer game takes center stage, and other times, a business deadline needs all my attention. I’ve learned it’s all about making peace with the fact that I can’t do everything at once.

Time blocking is my superhero skill: I organize my days into blocks dedicated to family, Rucker Roots, and, importantly, me-time. Mornings are for energizing (and wrangling) the family, mid-mornings are all about diving into emails and meetings, and evenings? That’s our family recharge time. It sounds structured, but there’s freedom in knowing what to expect.

I don’t go it alone: My husband, Bakari, is my rock when things get chaotic. And let’s not forget my sister Ione, who’s my right hand in business. They both make this journey smoother and way more fun.

Talking it out keeps us close: Whether it’s with Bakari or my team at Rucker Roots, keeping the lines of communication open is non-negotiable. We talk about the big stuff and the small stuff. It keeps us connected and ready to tackle whatever comes our way.

Self-care isn’t selfish: I used to think taking time for myself was a luxury I couldn’t afford. Now? It’s a must. Whether it’s a quick jog in the morning or simply turning off my phone for an hour to read in silence, these little breaks are my secret to keeping my energy up.

Flexibility is my secret weapon: Life loves to throw curveballs, and I’ve gotten pretty good at catching them. Adapting on the fly is part of my everyday, whether it’s reshuffling my day for a sick kiddo or tweaking a product launch timeline.

And here’s the real talk: Some days, the balance just isn’t there—and that’s okay. The kids will forgive a missed game, the team will survive if I step back for a family day, and Bakari and I always find ways to reconnect.Your turn—how do you keep your balance? I’d love to hear your stories or tips. Drop them in the comments or shoot me a message on social media.