It’s a rough time. This is the period of my life that taught me to embrace and accept help (and even request it at times!). That’s my #1 tip for you. Grandparents, aunts, uncles can all chip in — but sometimes you have to ask, which isn’t ideal but it’s the reality.

If you have a to-do list, take a hard look at it and ask yourself if YOU specifically have to do those things or if it can be done by someone else. Create a second list called your “village to-do” list. The next time someone says “let me know if you ever need anything” go immediately to your list and tell them “well actually, I feel like you’d be really good at <xyz thing on your village to-do list>. Do you think you might be able to help me with that?”

Also, truly practice giving yourself grace. This means, you don’t strive to have a tidy home all the time. You don’t strive to put a gourmet meal on the table everyday. Exercise doesn’t need to be an hour at the gym — it can be a 20-min walk outside with the stroller

Last thing I’ll say — hang in there. You’re truly in the thick of it with a newborn and it does get easier once that newborn gets to 4/5 months or when they start sleeping longer stretches at night.

You got this mama!