If you are super organised and good at juggling lots of things, please tell me how!

[terriblyoriginalusername]

I'll try not to go on too long!

I have a 5yo and a baby. Went back to work part time in Jan when baby was 3 months old.
I work freelance, for a few different organisations and I just feel like I've been continually messing up. I missed a deadline for one a couple of months ago (as in, I forgot and it passed me by), managed to send a wrong report (last year instead of this year) to another. Most recently, as Secretary for a committee I am on (voluntary) I minuted something that was supposed to be 'off record' and have massively upset and offended someone consequently. I would have noticed this if I had properly proof read but I finished typing them up at home in a massive rush as baby was grizzling and hungry and I'd promised 5yo to take him swimming...

I feel like I'm just letting people down left right and centre at work, while simultaneously feeling guilt for not being around enough for my family, being distracted from my 5yo as I field emails and try to sort out my mistakes and keep on top of things...

I think I'm not a very naturally organised person. I think I do have time in my life somewhere (i.e. here I am posting on mn..)
Baby was ebf until we very recently began solids, still feeds at night, cannot tell you how many hours of my life I have lost to bloody expressing!
I should mention that maternity leave where I live is normally 3 months, so I don't think anyone here thinks it's anything special working with such a young baby as it is the norm here.

Thank you for reading this far if you did!
I guess partly I just wanted to vent, but seriously if anyone has any tips I would love to hear them!

For me being busy is a choice. I love my job and am glad I put the hard yards in when the kids were little. They seem to be turning out pretty excellent.

It is worth saying though that my DH has always pulled his weight 100%, we have always tag teamed everything. My DCs are now older (15 & 9) so they actually get stuck in through the week so we can chill on weekends.

Monday to Friday here is manic for everyone with work, school, bands, sport etc but we protect those weekends from anything other than relaxed social stuff if at all possible.

I have a planner that has weekly section, but also shows each month at a glance. For upcoming things I write in both sections and also set a reminder on my phone.

Lazy is just a mean word for efficient.

Yes it's worth mentioning that i have a very hands on dh and we work as a team.

Lazy is just a mean word for efficient

Thank you that has made my day

The faster you get shit done, the sooner your arse can hit the lounge with the wine.

That’s my motto!

I love to laze around so need to get stuff done ASAP to enjoy time doing nothing or cuddling in bed.

OP - the list thing means I remember the list without having to constantly check it, and when I go back to it I just cross off stuff achieved. But when super stressed, I know what I need to do without panicking.

You can’t be a working Mum and a SAHM without childcare both at the same time
Yes you can. That's what I do.

All the people talking about ruthless planning and constantly checking apps, do you not hate it?! I struggle with relaxing and focusing on my kids when I have this constant mental to do list hovering over me

I don't hate it, it makes me feel in control. It gets rid of the mental to-do list because the list is on a piece of paper.

Do not compare yourself to others! Really if you want to feel happy do not compare yourself.

Another tip is to learn to say NO.

Stop the voluntary work now-you have a tiny baby!!

Fazarlsckey - I like your style. Mine is very similar. 4 kids 3 dogs and a very stressful job. I have to say when I’m at work I don’t think about my kids home etc. When I’m at home I don’t think about my work. Very simple to draw the line. Have attended very few school concerts sports days etc. Other half does that. He’s self employed and works 7 days a week but doesn’t start until afternoon so he’s always covered the daytime school dates. He’s never been to a parents evening!!!

I’m not particularly organised but don’t sweat the small stuff.

Sleep deprivation may be an issue for OP

the expectation that i should be able to respond to an email any time

Resist this. Set up an auto-response at times you are definitely NOT working. Your auto-response can remind people when you will be working, and therefore when they'll get a reply. If it's really, truly urgent they'll call you and then you can explain you are not working...

I don't like checking stuff and having things hovering over me. That's where writing it down on a list helps - you write it down the moment it occurs to you (notebook or send email to yourself), and then it is off your mind, only to be dealt with at the time you have agreed with yourself you are available to sort that stuff e.g. in the morning between 9-11am, or every evening at 7pm, or whatever.

I make endless lists. I literally have a list detailing the tasks I need to carry out over the next week or so, to the extent I have reminders for which bin day it is. I need it to remember everything.

I answer emails in chunks. I don't have notifications on my phone. If you need me urgently (family only really) you can WhatsApp me. I dont give out my mobile number to work clients.