What's the very first thing to avoid, or think seriously about avoiding, when undertaking the generation-long task of raising a child? The list of possible hazards seems endless, and there are literally thousands of books, pamphlets, guides and self-help manuals for absolutely every stage of development from early pregnancy to late college registration. Throughout, the 'don't's are invariably more numerous and urgent than the 'do's. So what is at the root of all difficulty with child-rearing? Well, it should be obvious, but perhaps you were just too tired to get the correct answer this time! That's right – the word is FATIGUE. And sooner or later everyone has to reckon with it. So if you want to meet each day with just enough gas in your energy tank to take care of your growing family, here are a few things to remember.

Consistency is the biggest energy saver of all – that is, consistency of work, using time management techniques based on a slow and deliberate rate of energy output. The key here, and the most powerful benchmark indication that you've gone over the limit, is to take note when you feel run down and in need of a rest. This situation can best be avoided by consistency in your care of the child through the day, broken by short periods of rest wherever you can fit them into your schedule. While it's very true that newborns are just about the least consistent creatures in existence, with enough dedication to your time management approach you can drastically cut down on your periods of fatigue and better avoid exhaustion.

The regular clearance and tidying of the living area is another fundamental energy saver for a new parent. Children are just as good as adults at creating a mess, and both can contribute equally to a disaster area waiting to happen. But too often the biggest disaster is the complete loss of physical energy when backpedaling to tie up loose ends from missed chores. So every parent's consistency plan should include ALWAYS staying on top of household cleaning chores. The logic of this plan will become more and more clear as the days go by without serious loss of energy as the parent remains alert to the needs of the children.

More than anything else, when a newborn in the house has needs, you can bet they will be IMMEDIATE needs, requiring quick attention and detailed precision. So a simple but very strong way to conserve energy is to make certain that baby accoutrements – clothing, kitchenware, bathing gear etc – are stored within easy and quick reach of the parent. If what you need right away is too high, too low or worse, misplaced, stress levels can skyrocket very easily and quickly, burning up the energy you need. So plan ahead, execute as slowly as you can, and keep your area clear en route to becoming the only parent on the block with energy to burn at the end of your day!