babyworld -have you got the parenting/life balance right?

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Today's nuclear families often act as a self-contained unit, taking on too much work and rejecting offers of assistance from friends and family, according to Professor Beth Roy,author of Parents' Lives, Children's Needs.

So do you think you've got the Parenting / Life balance just right? Take our fun quiz to see which way the scales tip for you and discover which of psychologist Donald Super's life roles you fill.

If your life could focus on one thing only, what would it be?

	Your child(ren)
	Your job
	Your partner/spouse
	Your social life
	You

On a typical average day, what would your emotional temperature read?

	A comfortable 20°C, with an evening peak!
	Cool enough to be calm, warm enough to be caring, and hot enough to be passionate
	Anywhere between freezing and boiling - I just don't have a typical day
	Just slightly above freezing - I need to stay cool at all times
	In the high 20s - the kids can make me boil sometimes

What's your personal health regime?

	I'm so busy at work I don't need to exercise - my heart gets a great workout with all the stress
	Running around after the kids all day - where do they get all that energy?
	Dancing the night away burns loads of calories and tones up all muscle groups
	Yoga, pilates, swimming, walking - anything that centres and relaxes me.
	Plenty of action between the sheets - more fun than jogging and just as effective

Who is in your friendship circle?

	Other mums that I've met through my children - antenatal clubs, parent and toddler groups etc
	My partner/spouse - he's always been my best friend.
	Colleagues and work clients - we often have working lunches/dinners/drinks
	Far too many to mention - my circle is practically global
	My best friends from school - we've known each other for years and always go out together

It's the weekend and with it comes…?

	Girl's Night Out!
	Quality time with everyone I love, plus some peace time for myself
	Tears, tantrums and non-stop messy play
	I tend to work most weekends
	Loads of quality time with my partner

How do you fare where romance is concerned?

	I work a 20 hour day - where's the time for romance?
	I have absolutely no concerns in that department
	There's no room for romance when the kids keep climbing into our bed in the night
	I love talking about it/analysing it over coffee with my girlfriends
	I love him as much now as I did when we first met

How much sleep do you get a night

	About 7 hours - interrupted of course
	Sleep? I'm sorry, do you actually have children?
	Four hours - well, if it was enough for Margaret Thatcher…
	Not so much at night but I get long lie-ins
	Eight hours of uninterrupted sleep

What historical figure do you resemble?

	The old woman in the shoe!
	Margaret Thatcher - only I work harder
	Cleopatra - the beautiful seductress who knew how to keep Mark Antony happy
	Scarlett O'Hara - the girl loved a good time
	I only resemble me and I'm perfectly happy with that

What 2 words would your friends use to describe your best and worst qualities?

	Passionate but unreliable
	Caring but irritable
	Hardworking but boring
	Fun but irresponsible
	Perfect but perfect!

What are your dreams for the future?

	To grow old with my partner, keeping the passion and love alive
	That my kids will achieve whatever they set their sights on
	To reach the top of my career and be the best at it
	To always be happy and have fun
	All of the above