Tuesday, February 8, 2011

How do I cope?

How do I write so many novels with three children under six? How do I accomplish my goals and make time for my family? How do I balance being a mother, wife, friend, and writer?

Sheesh.

Even writing these words are making my blood pressure rise because the truth is that there is no good way to do any of this. Everyone likes to talk about balance and I am a big believer in it but frequently it is easier said that done. Don't we all find that?

There are only a certain amount of hours in every day. My children have to come first. My oldest son has to get his homework done, my middle son has to be entertained, and the baby has to be tended to. I love my boys and that includes my husband who also deserves to have my time and attention. I also have to lose weight so a certain amount of time every day has to be devoted to exercise, whether I want it to or not. I also love my friends. When possible, I like to see them.

But, I'm luckier than most because my day job keeps me at home with my children which means that with some help and some luck I can do my job and write. It is the writers who are working a full time day job outside of the home, raising their children, and writing who I am in awe of. How do they do it?

Because as difficult as my balancing act is...I know it could be so much more difficult. The short answer to the question above, how do I cope, is that I have a lot of help.

5 comments:

Laurann Dohner said...

I'm lucky enough to stay home too and I don't know how authors work an outside job and yet find time to write do it either. My hat goes off to them. Of course the bad side to working at home...NO adult interaction for the most part except for when the husband comes home. Great post.

J Hali Steele said...

Funny enough, I wrote more when I had the day job! Go figure...

My hat goes off to anyone who can write with small children. How DO you juggle that?!

Congrats to you both!!

D. F. Krieger said...

I'm a stay at home mom with a 5 and 1 year old son. While I'm fortunate to have kids who are pretty well behaved, (which allows me to steal writing time in the afternoon), my best time to write is after 9 p.m. My husband is in bed by then (poor thing has to be at work at 3 a.m.)so its just me, the cats, and my computer. *Happy sigh*

Hailey Edwards said...

I love being a SAHM. Now that DD is in school, I do get some writing time that is both hubby and daughter free. LOL

I think, as you said, when you have young ones--the best way to cope is with a little help.

Pommawolf Emeraldwolfeyes said...

And who says a SAHM isn't a full time job hasn't done it *S*
If we got paid for that job alone then life would be easier *S*
You all astound me with the great books you write.
Have a great day *S*