[jayepink]

Really, how do you do it???????

I went back to work this week and I only have ONE baby. I think I might like to have another one day, but working full-time and taking care of a baby is no easy task. I don't know how in the world I would do it with TWO!!!

What are your tips/secrets?

[Cibershay]

Forget sleep.

I take my down time at work to make lists of things so I don't forget.

I find that being prepared ahead of time as much as possible relieves anxiety and stress. Like making sure the diaper bag is ready the night before, clothes laid out etc. this just saves the "OMG I'm running late" and forgetting something syndrome.

Take a deep breath and figure out what is the most important right now. A clean house is not worth missed time with the baby...really...you can have an immaculate house later...do what you need to do...but don't stress if your window has a smudge if you know what I mean.

Realize it is OK to ask for HELP. ei:I have my sons's godmother taking the oldest to Karate on Monday's...because it is just so much to do for the two of us.

Get over being a perfect mom. There are some women who can seem to do it all. They do the hand made thank you cards, and give Martha Stewart a run for her money...when I stopped trying to overdo things....and do the things that were important to me and my family...and stopped trying to live up to a unrealistic expectation...I was happier and ultimately I believe a better mom.

[angeleyes04]

Shay is absolutely right. You just have to figure out your priorities. My house is a disaster but I'd rather spend time with my girls than clean. We split cleaning duties on the weekends. We always prepare bottles and set out outfits the night before so things are ready when we leave in the morning. It took DH and I a little while to get used to the routine when we had DD#1 and soon enough things will just go like clockwork in the morning. Our days and nights are even crazier after we had the twins, so we have to be even more organized with morning and bedtime routines.

Ask for help, don't worry about things being perfect, try to be prepared, and just take care of what is most important to you.

[Crystal3520]

I only work part time and the babies stay here thank goodness, I'm always running late, can't imagine having to get them somewhere else before I got to work, I would probably be an hour late each day. I do make sure everything is ready for DH before I leave, I have to cook dinner, give baths, set out extra clothes and pajamas, make sure the bottles are all sterilized, extra wipes and diapers are handy, etc. He can find nothing even though I have put everything in the same spot since DD was born two years ago. I make mental lists to and to be honest, I enjoy getting to work, it's my "me" time and I don't have to feel guilty because I'm getting paid for it. It's a little hectic the days that I work, DH walks in the door and I walk out and don't get home until midnight. I'm grateful that he's willing to sacrifice some sleep so I can work, he would prefer that I not work at all and has "forbidden" me from going back to work full time, laughs!

But as far as having another baby, I don't think that's made anything that much more hectic, what you do for one, you just do for the other, maybe it doubles the guilt that you feel for being away from them though.