It's like the whole world's upside down,' said Jo, taking a sip of lukewarm tea. 'How does anyone get anything done when there's a baby around? Even when I come here to see you, I have to bring half the nursery.
She looked at the baby monitor on the coffee table, the changing mat and toys strewn across the floor.
'You'll get used to it, love,' her mum Helen said. 'It's always chaos to start with, and Ted's only two months. At least you can get out a bit more now.'
'Yes, but I feel like I've landed on an alien planet. All the other mothers seem to have everything sorted.'
'I bet they haven't.'
'Well, it looks like it to me. They always have perfectly blow-dried hair, and their babies don't seem to cry all the time.
Jo tucked a strand of hair that had fallen from the ponytail she'd scraped up that morning, while changing a nappy.
'What helped me was having a routine,' Helen said. 'One thing every day to get me out of the house. You don't need to do anything fancy when they are tiny. Or when they're older, thinking of it they just enjoy being with you.'
Jo nodded and took another sip of tea.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Patchwork PROJECTS
Easy ideas to show off English paper-piecing techniques
Night train to BERLIN
Germany's exciting and varied capital is now reachable by train from the UK
French FANCY
Raymond Blanc's right-hand man, Benoit Blin's favourite bakes
Are you missing out on BENEFITS?
Here's how to find out what you are eligible for
TRAY bien
All-in-one tray bakes, packed with flavour
We took a grown-up GAP YEAR!
Who says taking time out is just for students?
'I'm obsessed with reality TV!'
THIS WEEK'S COLUMNIST Author and presenter Louise Minchin
What to eat and do for A HEALTHIER GUT
Fix those problems and boost your wellbeing
Picture palaces
In an age of cinema complexes, we celebrate five historic and beautiful picture houses that have stood the test of time
'My diet during Bake Off is cake and alcohol!'
Dame Prue Leith on the popular baking contest