Juggling the Work/fam Load with a Newborn

Congrats on your future new "addition," (I'm referring to the baby, as opposed to real estate!). As a working mom from day one, I second, third and fourth, the sleep-above-all-else philosophy. I was fortunate enough to have had a mostly work-from-home situation before DD came along. Once she did, I made sure to keep in touch with the office constantly, get my work done and then nap, even if it was 15 minutes in my car. Without sleep, everything just seems that much more overwhelming. Dishes and laundry can wait. They'll always be there :-)

I am working with an almost 5-year-old, a 3-year-old, and a 7-month old. I'm also still nursing, but we started cereal/solids sometime in the past month. I do not feel like all the balls are being juggled well, but my kids are happy and healthy. I found that, as suggested, sleep is your salvation here. I do not get enough (I think I get an average of 5, but often more like 4 1/2) and since my husband works evenings I cannot even nap after work and he's away until after 11. If you're not comfortable co-sleeping (in bed) then have the baby in your room as long as possible. That helps with nursing at night and maximizing your sleep. We try to keep ours in his bed most of the time, but some nights I get more sleep as a human pacifier and I need sleep more than I need space in bed.

I also had a "before bed" and "before work" checklist that I made after each of my kids. I actually went through and checked everything off, including things like 'wash breast pump" "make lunch" "set up bottles" and "set out clothes, jewelry, shoes, makeup" as appropriate. In the morning my checklist included nursing the baby, getting the baby back to sleep for daddy, making coffee, etc. I'm so fried that I do better with a piece of paper telling me what to do.

Good luck. You'll do great! I'd give housekeeping advice, but I'm usually in need of it myself. :)

you sleep every chance you get!

you delegate & ask for help.

you forgo the clean, spotless house & live with a little bit of dust & piled-up laundry.

& you ignore most benchmarks & let life unfold as it happens......

wishing you a safe & speedy delivery!

One piece of advice that a very organized SAHM friend gave to me was to really focus on getting your baby onto a schedule. She directed me toward BabyWise by Gary Ezzo. Easy read, very common-sense stuff, nothing too earth-shattering. But wow, what a difference it made to know when the baby would need to eat, when the baby would be napping, when she would be down for the night (and not having to work very hard to get the baby to go to sleep was a blessing - just putting her down in her crib and walking out of the room - wonderful!) If you have a good schedule in place that works for both you and your baby, then it is MUCH easier to organize your work schedule. Life in general is less chaotic for the whole family.

Anyhow, that is a bit of advice that was a life saver for me. I wish you the best with your new baby!!

Prioritize the juggling. If the laundry doesn't get done "on time" or it's washed but not folded, let it go when everything is new and baby is still learning about the outside world. I think that a lot of moms are very hard on themselves with small children and they do a heckuva lot with all those "helpers"!

I don't work, but I am planning for my third. One thing I do plan on doing is this: during the first few months, I will be bringing in help for the lawn and yard work.I am also planning on having lots of meals in the freezer, as well as a meal plan for like 5 months, with grocery lists. I figure, the more I can plan up front, the better,right?

Have you ever heard of Fly Lady? I haven't looked at her website in like 6 years, but I do plan on doing so. Check it out. You can keep your house in order for 30 minutes a day ( 2 to 3 15minute shifts).

I am also going to make sure my 3rd take a bottle (my first two didn't). Hubby is going to do the last feeding, so I can SLEEP.

I am with BitterLily making those lists....I too work outside the home and have with all three who are 6, 4, 21 months old. Thank God for the smart phone. I make lists and use the calendar in there to keep things organized so I know what's what. I also use the crock pot to prep meals. I actually planned meals this week and it is so much easier not to have to think. I also have a general idea of what I am wearing for work so it doesn't take up too much time when getting ready. My husband is also extremely helpful! We do a lot of tag team effort so I am blessed to have him! If he is doing dishes I am giving kids baths. Make sure you are communicating with your spouse on what you need. Congrats!

There is already some good advice here. My addition is - get help when you need it. There is not time to do everything when you work and have a child, so know what your priorities are and either let the rest go, or findsomeone else to do those jobs. If you need to pay someone to clean your house, don't feel bad out it, just get someone to clean the house. If you need to pay a neighborhood teen to shovel out the driveway, do it.