Gwyneth at home looking really balanced

Here’s my theory about balance: everyone is looking for it. Doesn’t matter if you have kids or not, work outside the home or not, are famous or not. We all want it. Especially if we are *cough* Librans.

Gwyneth Paltrow is predictably copping some flak for this particular GOOP newsletter, where she and some of her friends pass on some of their tips for “finding a good balance between having a career and being a mom”.

If only she would just acknowledge that her problems (and those of her friends) are a wee bit different to, say, those of her readers. People who can’t just throw money at the problem – because you can buy a lot of practical balance with a lot of staff. Gwyneth’s own tips included cooking a lot on the weekends (fair enough) and returning calls on the school run hands-free in whatever direction the kids aren’t in the car (sure, OK) but then she goes and mucks it up for herself by suggesting it helps if you can find a fishmonger who delivers.

I don’t need that. My fish comes in a can and is always in my pantry. Hello Sirena.

Fishmongers aside,Gwyneth also chatted to her friend, venture capitalist and mother of two Juliet de Baubigny.  Her tips really will give you a giggle although, let’s be fair, they were given in good faith and with good intentions.

Juliet’s tips on getting through the day..

Look, there are a few good ones in there. Be nice.

Anyway, since most of us will gobble up any tips we can (fishmonger!), we asked someone a bit closer to home and a bit less posh, the wonderful Bern Morley, blogger at the hysterically funny So Now What for HER tips for working mothers.

She writes :

Mamamia contributor, Kate Hunter also tells us her pointers for work/life balance:

So, got any tips you care to share with those of us who NEED THEM? Fishmonger? Anyone?