To be in awe of other parents?

[enchantedspleen]

Guys.
How in God's name do any of you make plans/appointments/do school runs with kids?!
I am utterly in awe.
My DD is 10 weeks and she has settled into a relatively loose routine, but I have no idea how to essentially live anymore!
I am constantly running around the house doing housework and baby care. All day, moment I open my eyes to when I go to sleep. I have even done loads of laundry in the middle of the night after feeds just so im on top of it. But the house never gets tidy. I'm never satisfied! There is always something that needs to be done.
Then there's appointment. Today I had a fitness class at 10. I was up at 7:30. Fair enough amount of time? No! Baby decided on the way out of the door (I was taking her to my mum's first) that she was starving and had to be fed. I was very nearly late!
How does any mum or dad do anything? Like ever?
Does anyone have any tips?

I am not worthy, seasoned parents of mumsnet!

I used to somehow get out with DD as a baby, for 7.30am when DH dropped us off at a friend's house on his way to work, for us to spend the day together (he works an hour away and she lives near there, hence the early departure!) Now she's 10, I struggle to get her out for school at 8.30, and we're even worse now since lockdown - we've visited my parents the last 2 Sundays, I said the first time we'd be there at 11 and I had to text and say we'd be late. Yesterday I said we'd be there at 11.15 and we were 5 minutes late. She's just so slow, despite constant chivvying. And now there's long hair etc to factor in, I found it so much easier when she was a baby and I just made sure I got up early enough, got me ready, got her up, fed and dressed and out the door. I always packed the changing bag the night before. I absolutely can't imagine getting out for school with more than one child! I remember doing housework and laundry during her naps and putting her on her playmat or in her jumperoo while I got things done. You'll get there, it all just takes time to get into a routine.

You just have to decide what your priorities are. I like to be on time so would turn up to my appointment/Buggyfit class/whatever with a pyjama clad child who hadn't eaten breakfast

Got auto admit, there’s a certain amount of being late to stuff! It does get easier - once they are toddlers, you carry snacks EVERYWHERE and then if they are suddenly hungry it’s no big deal. There are other issues at that age though - suddenly needing a wee

You also get a bit better at judging how long things will take with a baby, so it’s easier to get them ready to a schedule.

Having said those things, I’m dreading how I’m going to cope when dTwins turn up! I was thinking I was all ready for having a second child..... oh well! Basically, you cope with what life throws at you.

You do drop the standard of housework though. Anyone with kids will understand. I say that surrounded by a big pile of mess.....