Julie Jay: As parents of toddlers, now is not our time to thrive, but survive

Having to cancel two work commitments this week was a reminder that nothing cures people-pleasing tendencies like having small children

Pic: iStock

Last week was tough. With the baby diagnosed with hand, foot and mouth, we were all a bit thrown off kilter, and for 48 hours, the crying was incessant.

In my short time as a parent, I have learned that some things are unavoidable. Illness will inevitably befall a child when you have an important work engagement, and you will let colleagues down regularly because the small people at home always come first.