Believe me, it is not easy!
I raised my two children myself from the time they were 9 and 6. I thought I would never see any freedom for myself. But, I had made a commitment to those kids when I decided to have them and commit I did. I made my life's schedule to revolve around them, they were my first priority. Of course, I did not lose my friends or my sense of identity or my own interests. I loved bowling with my friends and joined a morning league. I took my son with me and put him in the nursurey there that had wonderful caretakers. When my daughter was born, I still did things for myself, but made sure I was involved in things where my children were welcome and also had fun. It was very tough on me - I was a soccer mom, a little league mom, a dance lessons mom, a girl scout mom, worked in the co-op pre-school I enrolled my kids in and the most fun I had was when I was with my children at the dinner table and early evenings when we relaxed and chatted about our days or I read stories to them.
My son had severe allergies and asthma and eczema and several times I almost lost him. But, faith in God and many, many prayers everyday saved us both. My daughter was in several serious accidents and other issues and again, God and prayer helped us.
Then, suddenly, they had grown up! They were adults and on their own. I had not lost anything of myself, but gained two wonderful, life long friends and some lovely grandchildren as well.
You just have to have that inner strength and determination to do the best you can for you and your children. Take very good care of yourself (you will find time for a soak in the tub even if it is 2:00 in the morning) and eat right - so you can give the little ones all that they need from you.
When this question comes up, I stop and look back over the years to wonder: was all that hardship, stress, frustration worth it?
Would I do it again if I had the chance? Yes, and you bet I would.