Andy Tegel

Maybe it's your partner's turn to handle every aspect of magic making for your kid's upcoming birthday.

You both don't like it, but somebody's got to do it.

Does it always have to be you?

As you're saying all of this, I'm hearing thousands of American mothers just from coast to coast listening to this and shouting back at us like, in unison, but if I don't do it, who will?

If I don't do it, they're not going to do it.

They don't know how to do it.

Takeaway five.

Separate what tasks are necessary from what might just feel necessary.

Once you've got that smaller pile, look a little harder.

Are there any places where you're duplicating the mental load?

Or where you might be able to lighten that burden with outside help?

That's useful.

Another option is outsourcing.

Now, obviously, not every task can be handed off to some third party.

And you might not be interested in ceding responsibility for some of the ones that can.

Like, yeah, a sleep specialist or night nurse would really make those sleep-deprived days easier.

But also, maybe you're not willing to give up those late-night cuddles just yet.

There's nothing wrong with that.

Oh, and also, even if you were willing...

Money.