I agree with Leon. Within the bounds of almost certainly temporary (although probably lengthy) exhaustion, it’s pretty crucial for everyone involved that you keep doing as much as you can of what you were doing, especially going out and about – with and without your baby. And it’s crucial to her that you both have a social life, even if that shifts slightly to be more daytime/early evening than before.

Of course, the same productivity you had before will be impossible for a while. For instance, while writing this (at about 8 pm), I should really be putting both children to bed, clearing up from the day, preparing a pack lunch for Alex for tomorrow, ironing Olivia’s school clothes and making sure her after-school club gear is ready and, oh, doing a bit more work because I had to leave the computer early to take her swimming.

By the time that’s done and the house is half decent again, it’ll be coming up for 10 p,.

It’s important, I think, to be realistic, and not to beat oneself up about not doing things (as I always am). It’s a period of time – a few years – that you’ll be giving shape to a little life.

Before you know it, she’ll be three and taking her grandparents to the children-friendly wine bars/cafes you frequent (Alex: “Can we go a white house [aka. Inn on the Beach] today mummy?”.

And she’ll be three and having amazing and funny conversations with you both that will make you go off in peels and peels of laughter. That will feel just as rewarding as any writing or any of your other creative bents.

I highly recommend trying to maintain your lifestyle as much as possible. She’ll adapt. For instance, just yesterday after his nap, Leffe asked to go to the “red door”, so off to Fionn MacCool’s we went! #badparenting