Juggling Three Kids Under 6, a Demanding Career, and $6,000 a Month in Childcare with @AnnetteKerlew

What does it really take to raise three kids under six while holding down an executive role and managing over 100 employees? In this episode, I’m joined by Annette Kerlew - a 39-year-old mom of three (a 5.5-year-old son and 3.5-year-old boy/girl twins), wife, and Executive Vice President of Finance & Operations at a marketing communications agency living in New Jersey.

Annette opens up about the very real financial and emotional demands of parenting young kids while climbing the corporate ladder. From paying nearly $7,000/month in childcare, to managing a 60/40 split at home with her husband, to learning how to parent through exhaustion and stress without guilt. She shares what’s worked, what hasn’t, and why letting go of perfection has been key. 🔑

This is a great conversation for anyone navigating career, kids, and the never-ending juggle of modern motherhood.

💬 Final Note:
If this episode hit home, please rate, follow, and review the show. And share it with a fellow mom who's in the thick of it—because juggling kids, career, and life is tough, but you're not alone. 💛

⏳ Timeline Summary:
[6:32] - What 60/40 looks like in a two-career household with three kids under six
[9:51] - Paying nearly $7,000/month for daycare and how they made it work
[11:58] - Surprise: why she had twins at 35 and what her doctor said about it
[18:04] - Returning to work at 16 weeks postpartum while managing a large team
[21:41] - Formula feeding without guilt—and why it helped her mental health
[30:00] - Budgeting, Poshmark, and Facebook Marketplace: how she saved money
[43:08] - Real talk on marriage, mental load, and avoiding resentment
[47:42] - Her biggest advice: how to keep stress from affecting your kids

🔗 Links & Resources

Follow Annette Kerlew on TikTok & Instagram 

• Cribsheet by Emily Oster
• The Maids Cleaning Franchise
• KidStrong
• Secondhand style & savings: Poshmark, eBay, Facebook Marketplace