Just trying to plan ahead for the help I will need. I keep reading that most people can drive and return to a desk job after 2 weeks, but I don't know how that will actually *feel* (and I know everyone is different.) My surgery is scheduled in January, yay! My kids are 4.5 and 7.5. The older one is in full day elementary school, and the younger one is in half day preschool but I have the option to send him full day as need be. My husband plans to take off 2 weeks and my inlaws will keep the kids for a few days immediately following my surgery. Can my husband handle everything with the kids and house from about day 4 on? Should I ask MIL to stay, or work on hiring a part time helper with housekeeping? After my husband goes back to work (which will be day 15 for me), will I be able to get my kids ready in the morning and to and from school? Sometimes my husband works late nights - will I be able to handle fixing easy dinner and kid bedtime routine by myself? After the first two weeks, will I feel up to going to the grocery store, doing laundry, cooking easy meals? Or do I need to plan for help for those things? I own a small business and can take as much time as needed from work, thankfully.I want to start organizing family and paid help as need be. We have a small family, not local, so that part is hard. Lining up my help is the part that makes me anxious! I waited until my kids are these ages because it seemed like it would be easier than a few years ago. Thank you for any advice.