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I am a single mom to my DD who is now 2.5 and came home at 17mos. I have no local family (my parents are deceased and my one sister lives out of state) I took 5 mos off from work when we came home and we cocooned. The one thing that has saved me has been a Schedule. C is in bed at 7:30pm and naps from 12noon to 3pm. So I would use the first hour of her nap to just rest, catch a tv show or read a bit, not housework and the other two hours to tidy up, cook, do laundry and shower. Major chores are done between 7:30 and 9:00 pm and then, it's my time to catch up with friends on the phone, watch CSI, read or pay bills. After 5 mos, my dd went to daycare and luckily, my job is flexible and I am usually the first mom to do pick up at daycare. When we get home between 4 and 430, it is C time. We play and read until 7:00pm, no phone, no tv, just us and music and games, at 7 she eats and has a bath and is in bed by 7:45 at the latest, I clean up, prepare lunchbags for the next day and then relax. The sooner Mel can get the baby in a routine, the easier things will become for her. I have not had a lot of help, but I do treasure the few occasions when my aunt can babysit to meet with friends and catch a movie or eat out. Most shopping is done on Sat morning and usually we hit the park sat afternoon (or the pool if it is warm) It is tiring but so rewarding and since you don't have to tend to anybody else you can make your routine as it best fits your life.
Good luck.
Claud
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