We all have different responsibilities that pull away from our writing. Dishes, laundry, pets, friends that claim you “haven’t seen the sun in a month.”
Being a writer who is also a parent presents a special set of challenges. Between feeding, changing, playing with, and caring for your little ones, it may seem impossible to carve out time for yourself, let alone for your writing. However, with a little creativity and determination, it is possible to find time to write when you have kids. Here are some tips to help you get started:
- Set realistic goals: One of the biggest challenges of finding time to write is simply not having enough time in the day. To combat this, set realistic goals for yourself. Maybe you can’t write for hours every day, but you can commit to writing for 30 minutes each morning or evening. Whatever your goals are, make sure they are achievable and realistic given your schedule. But fair warning, do not do this at the expense of your sleep. You’re exhausted enough without depriving yourself of what little sleep you’re getting. If that means you temporarily have to write only three times a week instead of every day, then that’s what it means. Keep your sanity at all costs!
- Prioritize your writing: Make writing a priority in your life. This may mean giving up some of your TV time, or restructuring your schedule, but if writing is important to you, you will find a way to make it work. Remember, you don’t need a lot of time to write, just consistent effort.
- Involve your kids: Depending on your children’s ages, you may be able to involve them in your writing process. Maybe they can draw pictures while you write, or play quietly nearby. If your children are old enough to read, you could even encourage them to write their own stories while you work on yours.
- Use nap time and bedtime: Nap time and bedtime are great opportunities to get some writing done. Use this time wisely and make it a priority to get some writing in. Even if you only have 30 minutes, that’s still 30 minutes you can use to make progress on your writing goals. If that means that every once in a while a load of laundry has to wait to go in the washing machine, then fuck it. There will always be laundry and sometimes you deserve to take a little time for yourself to work on your goals.
- Be flexible: As a parent, you know that things don’t always go as planned. You may have a day where your child is sick, or your schedule is thrown off for some other reason. In these situations, be flexible and adapt your writing schedule as needed. Remember, the important thing is to keep writing and making progress, even if it’s slow and steady.
- Don’t be too hard on yourself: Finally, remember that it’s okay to have days where you don’t get any writing done. Parenting is hard work, and sometimes you just need to take a break. Don’t be too hard on yourself if you have an off day, and don’t give up on your writing goals. Keep pushing forward, and you will find the time you need to write.
Finding time to write when you have kids can be a challenge, but it’s not impossible. By setting realistic goals, prioritizing your writing, involving your kids, using nap time and bedtime, being flexible, and not being too hard on yourself, you can find the time you need to pursue your writing dreams. Remember, slow and steady progress is still progress, and every bit counts towards achieving your goals.
Emily Regan 