What are Hilary Erickson's top tips for balancing nursing and parenting effectively?

Hi, I’m Hilary Erickson from The Pregnancy Nurse. I’ve done the nursing + 3-kids juggle for years, so I’ll share what has really mattered for me:

• Get brutally clear on priorities: Some seasons are career-heavy, others are kid-heavy. I decide what “success” looks like for this month and let the rest be “good enough.”
• Use routines, not perfection: Simple nightly routines (lay out clothes, prep bags, quick tidy) save me every single workday morning.
• Protect sleep and recovery: As a shift worker and mom, I treat post-shift sleep like a meeting I can’t miss. It makes me a safer nurse and a kinder mom.
• Communicate at home: I’m honest with my family about busy stretches and where I’ll need more help, instead of trying to silently do it all.

What’s the hardest part of balancing nursing and parenting for you right now?