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Discussion on: Developer with New Baby Coming Soon — HELP!

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Rob Waller

I had my son 7 months ago and for the first couple of months we were knocked for 6, but we recovered. I would accept now for the first couple of months you will have to put other things on hold. All sorts of things can happen in this period and your partner will need a lot of support and so will you.

After that I've found developing a routine which allots time for certain task has worked well for me. I also work from home and my day now is get up between 5 and 6, shower, breakfast, do some housework until about 8, then work begins with some reading and learning. At lunch I take some time to spend with my partner and son. The work day finishes some time between 4 and 6 dependent on how it's gone and I try to end it with some reading or learning, but then its time with the family for the rest of the evening, nothing else.

This sounds quite regimented, but its not. I have to accept sometimes that structure won't always work out, like I was tired yesterday and I woke up at 7 today. And every day is interspersed with five minutes tasks for my son, like make a bottle, change his nappy, hold him while my partner does something, etc. Basically the time spent at the 'water cooler' in the office is now spent doing odd tasks for my son, which is great.

And finally the sleep is fine, it's amazing how quickly you get used to it, especially if you reduce your alcohol intake.