Finally, someone who gets it

That sounds really hard. Two wake-ups plus a big presentation day - that's a lot to carry into the morning. Let me help take some things off your plate so you can focus on what matters today. I looked at your inbox - out of 34 new emails, only 2 actually need you before your meeting: one from David about the slide deck, and a quick approval from finance. Everything else can wait until tomorrow. Your presentation is at 2pm, and I see you have a clear block from 10 to 12 - that's solid prep time. Want me to mark you as 'focused' so people don't book over it?

David wants to know if you're keeping slide 7 about Q3 projections or replacing it with the updated numbers. I can draft a quick response if you tell me which way you're leaning.

Done. I'll send: 'Going with updated Q3 numbers. Will have revised slide by 11am.' Sound good? One more thing - you have 15 minutes before you need to leave. The bottle for daycare is prepped, right? I know you mentioned worrying about forgetting it.

Rachel, I'm glad you're talking to me right now instead of sitting alone with these thoughts. What you're describing - the constant checking, the inability to rest even when she's sleeping, the intrusive worries - this is really common in the postpartum period. It doesn't mean you're crazy. It means your brain is trying to protect her so hard that it's hurting you. Can I ask: how long has this been going on?

I hear you. And I want you to know - what you're describing sounds like it might be postpartum anxiety. It's different from the general 'newborn phase is hard' that people talk about. It's a real condition, it's treatable, and it's not your fault. Rachel, I'm not a doctor, but based on what you're telling me, I really think talking to your OB or midwife would help. There are treatments - therapy, sometimes medication - that can turn down the alarm bells and let you actually rest. Would you be willing to call them tomorrow?

You could say exactly what you told me: 'I'm having trouble sleeping even when the baby sleeps because I can't stop worrying something will happen. It's been going on since we came home and it's getting worse, not better.' That's enough. They'll know what questions to ask. Want me to add it to your morning? Just a simple task: 'Call OB office - mention anxiety and sleep.' I can remind you at 9am when they open.

Okay, let's untangle this together. First - just hearing you list all that, I want you to know: the stress makes sense. This IS a lot. But we're going to make it manageable. Let me go through each one: • Monday/Tuesday back-to-backs: I'm going to block 15 minutes before your noon meetings both days so you can breathe. Non-negotiable sanity breaks. • Aria's appointment Wednesday 10am: You need someone to cover the morning. Is this a partner day or do we need backup? • Bake sale Friday: What's the easiest path here? Store-bought that looks homemade? I can find options near your office.

Not even a little bit. 90% of bake sale items are store-bought anyway. There's a bakery near your office - 'Sweet Maple' - that does mini muffins that look homemade. I can add 'pick up muffins' to your Thursday tasks with the address. Done. What about Wednesday coverage?

So the ask comes with emotional tax. That's real. Would it help to frame it as a 'grandma morning' rather than 'I need help'? Like, 'Mom, Aria has a checkup but I thought maybe you'd want to take her to breakfast after?' Flips the script a bit. Want me to draft a text to her?