during pregnancy

after your baby is born

with toddlers and pre-schoolers

special tips for working mums

Sometimes, just thinking about what you have to do in the space of one day is too much. Unless you have the energy and special powers of one of your kid's superheroes, it's not always possible to accomplish what you want to do both inside and outside the home. Then there's the small matter of giving yourself some breathing space, just so you can feel human once in a while. We've been looking at ways of making your life a bit easier, from building up a ‘helping' network' to taking advantage of technology, and it all adds up! Here are our practical tips:

during pregnancy

Whether it's your first or your third child, being pregnant can be both physically and mentally draining. It's perfectly normal to think that you can take it on and still do everything you did before, until you find yourself so exhausted you can't move. Here's how you can lighten the load:

• Ante-natal classes are great places to make friends. Not only will they live around the area but you will all have kids around the same time. This will provide a great support network of people who know what you are going through and with whom you can let off steam.
• Don't be shy about accepting offers from family and friends to help around the house, do shopping etc and if they don't offer then don't be shy about asking!
• Your partner also needs to adjust, especially if he hasn't been through it before. Let him know what you need and when you'd appreciate help. Remember if you don't ask you don't get!
• Treat yourself: Once a month, have dinner out with girlfriends or book in for a facial or manicure. It may only be a couple of hours but it will do wonders for your energy and self-esteem.

after your baby is born

• All babies have their own routine. We quickly learn to take advantage of their naps to get things done, but don't automatically think you need to use the time just to get tasks done. You can use one of your baby's sleeps for your own power nap. The rest will do you good.
• Team up with other new mums from your ante-natal class for group play sessions. You can chat and have someone else helping to watch the kids at the same time a big bonus!
• Don't feel guilty about using pre-prepared baby foods when baby starts weaning. There are some excellent, natural products on the market including frozen natural baby foods which are microwaveable.

with toddlers and pre-schoolers

It's normal to think you're the one who should be doing something with them all the time but the truth is that young children respond to the stimulus of variety. Here are some things you can do:

• Organise a rota with a like-minded mum so that once a week you take turns in caring for each other's children. Children can stay for tea at each other's house giving them a treat and you some valuable evening time.
• Don't feel guilty about letting your child watch television as part of their day. There are some excellent, quality children's programmes that both stimulate and educate.
• You're busy and they want to play! Do both by including them in your tasks. If you're cooking, let them help by giving them something to do so they feel involved. It's a win-win move.
• Plan meals as far ahead as you can and cultivate a collection of recipes that can be on the table in less than half an hour. We feature some excellent ones each month and there are cookbooks that specialise in fast, low maintenance one-pot meals. Cook more than you need, the extra food can be frozen and saved for a rainy day.
• You have probably organised direct debits for all your bills by now. Online banking can also save you lots of time.

special tips for working mums

There's a tendency for mums who go to work to feel more guilty than most yet there's absolutely no reason why we should. Historically, women have always worked, whether it's selling the family wares in the town market or gathering berries for dinner. At the same time, children have been shown to benefit from additional sources of love and care. Playgroups, parents, in-laws and good friends all form an extended family that can help both you and your child.

Time is your most precious commodity so don't apologise for shortcuts that allow you to have more of it. Practical tradeoffs can help as well. It's worth leaving the office early and doing some late evening emailing in order to have dinner with your children. And while we're on that subject, pick up dinner on the way home occasionally. There are services, people and technology out there to help you, so use them!