Working and parenting is a perpetual juggle for everyone, regardless of whether you work at home, in an office, part time or full time. It's a constant balancing act.

From your description it sounds like you are alone with your son for a significant portion of the day -- which must be a very difficult mix for an active toddler and a bed-resting mom!

I'm sorry you have an early riser, and I know it's exhausting, but 6:30 is when some children wake up. While you can try black-out curtains, an earlier or later bedtime, and even ignoring the crying, it may not make much difference. She's had a full night of sleep and now it is morning and that means playtime! As my son says, "The world is bright. Get up!"

You describe your work day as starting at 5:45. Does that mean you have outside help in the morning when your husband is travelling? If so, is there any chance that person could help out after school -- for an hour or two once a week -- so that you could grab a cup of coffee with a friend?

You will have to change your husband's "some guy" status. In other words, you need to acknowledge that you're essentially asking your son to share you with some guy. He's not just "some guy" to you. But to a child, who likely wishes his biological dad was the co-star in his family fantasy, a step-dad is usually unwelcome. And if "some guy" is telling him what to do and making changes to his routines, it's only makes matters worse. 

Yes, having a child is something that should be joyful and celebrated, but the expense of it all--paying for the formula, the diapers, the clothes, the medical bills, the daycare, etc.--can be a bit overwhelming, especially in these hard economic times. Your fiancé is smart to be concerned about how to finance it all, especially if he doesn't feel like he makes enough to do what he probably feels he's charged to do as a father-to-be: Take care of his family. My guess is that he's not so much unhappy about his impending fatherhood as he is worried about how he's going to adequately provide for you and the baby.

I stand in solidarity with you on the whole playful thing. What mom has energy enough to be a midnight seductress to her husband after spending the entire day entertaining, feeding, chauffeuring, and chasing and cleaning up after the kids all day? Honestly, by the time I fall into bed some nights, the tap on the shoulder is about as welcome as a bucket full of ice water being thrown in my face. Still, I'm well aware that my husband, Nick, needs attention, and affection from the woman he loves, just as much as my children need it from their mom.  

Sorry to hear about your situation and your dad's failing health. Being the primary caregiver for your father, in addition to your own family, has stressed you physically, emotionally and even socially. As a caregiver, you have the obligation to take care of yourself, not just for your own sake but also because you can't be a good caregiver unless you are healthy in body, mind and spirit.

Sorry to hear about your situation and your dad's failing health. Being the primary caregiver for your father, in addition to your own family, has stressed you physically, emotionally and even socially. As a caregiver, you have the obligation to take care of yourself, not just for your own sake, but also because you can't be a good caregiver unless you are healthy in body, mind and spirit.

Let me tell you a story. It’s about me. When I first went back to work, after my first baby, I gave my babysitter a video camera so I could see the first step, hear the first word, and everything else. I told her, “Catch it on video!” After a while I realized that I don’t need to be there at every moment. It doesn’t have to be her very first step—I’ll be there for the first step she takes for me. With my second child, I was more relaxed.

Try swapping your kids—but just for an hour! Reach out to a mom who’s in the same situation and make a deal: I’ll watch your kids for an hour, and later, you watch mine. You may need to get out of the “no one else can do it” mindset, though. If she knows how to take care of her children, she can take care of yours for a little while.