How do parents manage a balance between work, home and raising their children?

[Caramello]

Hi everyone – thanks so much for all of your advice. I think I just got a little overwhelmed with it all. But I am still in awe of people that can go back to work while still looking after their babies, particularly when they are younger than my own. However I have written a list for myself of all the things I have to do, and I was surprised how much I have got done so far.

Inlove – I’d love any tips on how you manage! And you are right – DS will change so much between now and January

Meow – I actually asked my friends that did return after 6 weeks. One was on shift work and alternating care with her husband – the other was going through major relationship hassles and eventually became a single mum so she had no choice in the matter. I spoke to both over the weekend and they said I was being too hard on myself, as well as telling me that they only did what they had to do to survive. One also said that comparisons aren’t always helpful, because mine is a different situation.

Tanstar – thats really great advice. I think thats what the problem has been as well – trying to live up to this ideal of living up to giving 100% to everything.

Nai – thats good advice too, particularly about stressing out.

CheezelMonster – some good advice as well. I think the biggest issue at the moment is that he will sleep through some nights and not others, which throws my sleeping pattern out too. In the last few months DH has had surgery in his lower abdomen which meant (and still means) he had difficulty lifting things, particularly for the 6 weeks after the procedure. Now he is going through chemo (1 week on 3 weeks off for 6 cycles) which means that he is tired and nauseous – although he is still going to work on the week of the chemo. Its just a hard time - and I freaked when I thought I have to go back to work shortly.