To think how am I going to manage??

[jollybobs89]

So going back to work in April after being on mat leave with two kiddies a 3 year old and a 11 month old at the moment.

And I am beginning to think how am I going to manage! Anyone got any tips or anything as to how to manage housework, cleaning, cooking, dog walking, washing, as well as working shopping I can barely manage it now and I'm on mat leave!

I am a bit of a clean freak but anyone any tips and life saving tips to juggle everything hahaha

I've got three children (aged 1, 3 and 5) and am quite a disorganised person generally but my top tips are:

Have everyone's clothes laid out the night before
Ditto bags packed for those who need it
Do a laundry every day
Meal plan and make sure everyone eats the same thing

But overall - massively lower your expectations. Nobody really cares how clean your skirting boards etc are, so only do the essential cleaning and don't stress about how tidy the house is too much.

Online shopping and a cleaner if you can afford it. I struggled along without either the first few months after returning from maternity leave. DH does his bit but the mum guilt got to me even more than I’d expected - that I was cooking/tidying/cleaning after being apart from DC all day rather than spending quality time with them. We usually cook big portions and have them 2 days in a row or freeze leftovers. And the house will actually be a bit tidier without kids at home all day.