Joanna Fortune: I'm not sure how I'm going to manage it all when my baby arrives

Keep in mind the old saying: ‘It takes a village to raise a child’

Do involve your older children in caring for the new baby. File picture: iStock 

My third child is due in six weeks, and I’m about to start maternity leave. My five-year-old started school in September and the three-year-old is at playschool three mornings a week, which puts some structure on their day. However, I’m not sure how I’ll manage to juggle it all once the baby arrives. My husband often has to travel for work, so I can’t rely on him. I know my mother’s generation managed to do it all but I’m exhausted even thinking about it. What would you suggest?

Juggle is the perfect word — you are holding a lot in mind right now. As you prepare for your new baby, you are turning your focus to expanding your family circle to welcome this new arrival. This is appropriate but, of course, it also brings into sharp focus all those already in the circle, what their needs are now and will be when this new family member moves in.