Teacher and Assistant Director, The Children’s Center at Purchase College; Purchase, NY
Children: Dina and Bret, 30; Becca, 27 ♦ Husband: William Mendl

Why We Love Her
Lots of moms with grown children go through empty-nest syndrome, but Harriet’s nest keeps getting bigger. Her home includes two daughters, two grandchildren, four dogs and a cat. In addition to her job as a day-care teacher, Harriet is a Girl Scout leader and—so daughter Becca can attend classes at night—a babysitter. Says Becca: “My mom knows how to make life a little easier for everyone, and someday I hope to do the same for her.”

Q: If you could ask your boss for one thing to help you better balance your work and family life, what would it be and why?
 
A: For a better balance between work and family life, an afterschool program at my center would be great. That way, once my granddaughter finished at school for the day, she could be dropped off at my center and my daughter would not have to leave work to pick her up. After school care would not be a worry.

Q: What’s your best tip for keeping your home life running smoothly?

A: Children come first. Play with them, read to them, watch TV with them, do fun things with them, help them with homework. Straighten up the house so that it looks somewhat neat (which usually means arranging toys in an acceptable manner). Have a schedule for yourself so that each day of the week one job gets done, and delegate jobs to others. Plan dinner for the same time each day and have the family eat together. Go to bed with kisses and hugs. Your home should be the place where everyone feels loved and safe. It doesn’t matter if it’s dusty.

Q: What does balance mean to you?

A: I don’t see life as a balancing act but rather a juggling act. Usually, you have to keep many responsibilities in the air at the same time. I try to keep my timing right so that all the balls stay up and don’t fall.