I don't know how women who have responsibilities other than themselves (husband, kids) do it. I can hardly take care of myself. My apartment is frequently some kind of mess, there's always laundry to be done, and I haven't cooked a proper dinner in weeks. It's like, when I'm done with my workday I go into this mundane state where I flip TV channels or sleep. My current rotation has me drinking heavily to cope. (and I'm a lightweight, so that means 2 beers or glasses of wine and I'm out.)
I can't imagine coming home to a 4 year old who wants to play or a 13 year old who needs help with homework....but on the flipside I fantasize that my kids would be lovely and a nice distraction from the lifeblood-sucking patients I see. And I guess if I had a husband I could actually have sex every now and then.
So I bet there's perks to having others around.
I just read what I wrote back in November and I sound like one of my step 3 vignettes. I'm an intern, not an attending. And, I think I've finally adjusted to internship, crazy hours etc, taking better care of myself. You find time. And you learn how to be efficient with admits, etc. (YES, I do still see the patient every time )--to cut down on fatigue. 
) but it all comes together with suport. My husband is great, we used to divide chores but after the baby (now 1y/o) things got a lot more ectic around here, especially now studying for the test. Now we just roll with it, we work towards the same goal; to keep the house clean and clutter free (for most of the time!) the kids well fed and happy, homework with my eldest is done with whom ever is there at the time...nothing scheduled, just living in synergy towards a happy healthy life...and med school. 
That is, if you have a good partner. 
(almost, since he's more of a slob than I am 
). He is supportive of every decision I've made, even those about which I have been less than certain. He knows that his schedule is much less hectic than mine, and acts accordingly. For example, he does all the grocery shopping and laundry. On a really rough week that's all you really *have* to do, if you think about it (at least if you don't have kids). He recognizes that I don't have the time or means to support him in the same way he supports me. That is something any spouse of a resident/MS is going to have to recognize, even if you're not as high maintenance as I am (degree varies according to just how high maintenance you are!). At the same time, he recognizes that he doesn't have to deal with simultaneously gestating and smelling necrotic bowel at 2 am And since having kids is just as much his idea as mine- if not more!- he feels he should do whatever he can to take on his share of that burden !! My husband spends all of his time studying, besides that he eats, sleeps and occasionally watches sports & plays call of duty. The everyday responsibilities fall on my shoulder. I cook, clean, shop, pay bills, attend school(finish BS in Nursing), drive my hub to and from school and give much love to my 5month belly. Where do I get all this energy? I wonder? Anyway I just pray it keeps coming. I often think if I will ever be able to fully understand what my husband is going through and viceversa will he? I don't know what it's like to study for 10-12 hours at a time, my husband barely knows how to write a check out and pay bills. I don't think we spend enough time appreciating one another for all the hard work we do. We've scheduled a date night out of the week, where we go out to a movie or to eat but that is not where I need reassuring. I rather stay home and talk about all the sacrifices that we both make for our family. This would help me continue the struggle and keep the baton going. My husband tries his best to spend sometime with me during the week. I feel that I've become very needy (or high maintenance however you wish to put it) with being pregnant and all. I end up driving him away to the solitude and dungeons of school to study; just how he likes it. I wouldn't be so needy if I knew more of this town and had people I could spend time with around. We don't even have a pet I could one-way talk to!! I just take a deep breath and remind myself that with out him putting so much dedication and pulling grades where would we be headed? Without me putting in tenacity to balance our life where would we be now? This thinking brings me back to the surface and reminds me to back off him. I still haven't figured out a rhythm to our new life changes and I have a feeling it may be a while before I do, but knowing me, it's game. For now I'll continue my most favorite thing...cooking, listen to music while I cook and sing at the top of my lungs!! Releases stress and makes me happy
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