On the getting back into it thing… there’s nothing saying you have to jump back in feet-first with the same workload as before. Don’t ignore the creative monster trying to climb out of your head, but you may be able to keep it satisfied by just doing a fraction of what you were doing before. Instead of 1,000 words, do 100 – keep it ticking over. The beast will be sated and you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you’re making progress. Who cares that when you finally get around to revising that it looks like a mad ADD-afflicted monkey has been jabbering away at your keyboard… welcome to pantsing!

But you know all this stuff already.

I’d try to make sure the toddlers are in bed by 8 at the latest. Tiny babies can be really irregular and are often restless and colicky at night, when you want to have time to yourself. This is *really* frustrating, but doesn’t last very long (I know you’ll say a few months looks like forever from your current standpoint, but it isn’t).

Try to think when your baby is most quiet. Mornings? Afternoons? Write then.

The other thing I would say is don’t obsess about housework. If certain stuff isn’t done, is there anyone else in the house who cares except you? No? Then don’t do it, or don’t do it as often.

Another thing I would say is: don’t force it. Relax and enjoy your kids. You learn a lot subconsciously from just doing what you’re doing now, even if it only looks like you’re perpetually feeding and changing nappies. It’s all life experience you can later write about.

We’re not even going to start on my newfound baby carrier obsession either