Writer Compass As A Writer And A Mom... ❤️
Writer Compass Advice and Opinion
As a writer and mom, I always knew I’d have to wear two hats. And things used to work great. I had a set schedule, and baby would nap twice a day. I’d make up whatever I couldn’t get done during the day by writing an hour after she went down at bedtime. But now, we’ve hit toddler mode. All she wants to do is run and have me chase her! Daycare isn’t an option. HELP! What do I do?
— Frantic Mother
Dear Frantic,
Deep breaths. I feel you! They always say newborns are the hardest, and then you level up. Toddlerhood is another world. (By the way, congratulations on keeping your kiddo alive and well and happy. That is a feat in and of itself.) As a businesswoman and a mom, it’s tough. What worked before no longer flies. Gone are the multiple naps a day and in its place is one single nap (hopefully).
If your child naps once a day, do what you did before but broken up. You’ll now have a more focused period to write. Embrace it! Eat your lunch with the child. Do your normal naptime routine and put them to bed. The chores you see around the house can wait until the little one is awake. (Toddlers LOVE to help, btw!) Get yourself a glass of ice-cold water (or iced coffee). Then set that timer and write!
If your child naps once a day, do what you did before but broken up. You’ll now have a more focused period to write. Embrace it! Eat your lunch with the child. Do your normal naptime routine and put them to bed. The chores you see around the house can wait until the little one is awake. (Toddlers LOVE to help, btw!) Get yourself a glass of ice-cold water (or iced coffee). Then set that timer and write!
If your child is the other kind, who refuses to nap or is a very short napper, get creative. Wake up an extra half hour before they do and join a writing sprint. (FYI, 500 words in a 30-minute sprint gets you a 50k word first draft in about 4 ½ months.)
Create and establish “quiet time.” Set them up with a couple books, some building blocks, or even a little TV time while you sprint.
Call in the troops! Once a week, ask a friend or relative to watch your child for an hour and use that child-free time to focus on your writing career.
When you’re out on that daily stroller walk, use the dictation/speech to text option on your phone to jot down ideas on your phone and type them up later.
And breathe.
Your schedule and timeline are going to be slower. You’ll be adjusting your agenda for a bit. That’s the nature with kids. Everything takes ten times longer. But, the good and bad news, this time is short. Before long, they’ll be catching the school bus, and you’ll have your writing time back.
My best advice? Take things in stride and be flexible with toddlerhood hiccups.
You got this, mama!
❤️