Here’s some advice on organization and sharing the workload from the book “How to Survive Your Baby’s First Year” (Hundreds of Heads Books, www.hundredsofheads.com, $12.95), straight from people who’ve done it.
“Like everything else, we tried to split the workload evenly. Since my wife is a light sleeper, and it takes a lot to wake me up, she responded to his late night cries most of the time. However, on those occasions where she was too exhausted or simply didn’t feel like getting up, a sharp elbow to my sides was usually enough to get me out of bed.”
— John Rodgers, Seattle, father of a 9-year-old son
———
“Don’t be afraid to reach out for help. We hired a ‘doula,’ which is the German term for someone who helps with the baby, cooking and cleaning. She’s a nanny, a housekeeper and can do anything we need, from preparing a meal to changing the baby.”
— G.P., Minneapolis, parent of a 2-month-old daughter
———
“As my husband was the one going out to work each day and I was a stay-at-home mom, I did most of the workload. Organization is the key to it all, as is planning ahead. I keep a calendar on my computer and on my fridge to help keep me on top of things.”
— Lynda DiFrancesco, Raleigh, N.C., mother of two sons (2 and 2 months)
———
“Don’t stop doing the things you love to do. I still shop, go to restaurants, dance and travel, yet I am a mom.”
— L.G., West New York, N.J., parent of a 2-year-old son
———
“Be flexible. I try to plan out my days, but with a baby sometimes it just doesn’t work. Each night I make a list of the things I hope to do the next day. It makes me feel really good when I check things off of it. But it doesn’t always work out that way, so I’ve learned to be flexible.”
— Jill, Shoemakersville, Pa., mother of an 11-month-old daughter
———
“I found that it was actually easier to work from home in the first month than it was in the following months. While the baby was sleeping I could do a lot. In later months, when the baby needed more interaction, it was harder to get anything done.”
— Brette Sember, Clarence, N.Y.
———
© 2007, Hundreds of Heads Books, Inc.