Friday Speak Out!: Achieving Equilibrium: How to Balance Writing and Parenting

by Monica Morgan

   

Writing and parenting become opposing forces in the sense that they both need utmost attention. However, being smart parents that we are, we find ways to combine these two tasks or keep a balance between the two. And there are really times when we mess up. Just make sure it’s not anything major.

Don’t worry though, it’s not rocket science. Learning how to balance writing and parenting is a process. There is no exact formula that will make you successful in this feat. If you try one method and it does not work, try something else. Also, you can combine different methods until you find what would match your groove.

Time management

In the morning, I take my little one to school. While he is away, I stretch, gather up my creative juices, and start writing. He also takes a nap in the afternoon, which would signal a time for writing also. After I tuck him to bed, I go back in front of my laptop. With this schedule, I would set certain writing expectations. For example, I would need to have finished a page before my kid wakes up from his nap. By allocating a specific schedule based on my kid’s schedule, I am able to accomplish my work without keeping me from doing what I need to do for my child.

Sharing time and space

There are stages in our children’s lives that we need to let them be with what they are doing. This is also a time for them to learn. But we should still be readily available in case they would need us. This phase is an opportunity for us to share our time and space so we can do both writing and parenting.

There are times when I would write using my laptop in the same area where my kid is playing. This could be in the living room, his room, or in the yard when he is playing with other kids. This way, I can still observe what he is doing. If he needs anything, he can easily approach me.

Setting priorities

Setting priorities, for me, is the most important aspect to consider having a balance between writing and parenting. If you have time, spend it with your little bundle of joy. After all, he or she is the top reason why you are earning a living. I usually dedicate my weekends for spending time with the family. This practice even helps in my writing since my mind gets refreshed with all the fun times that we had together.

At the end of the day, do whatever works for you. Every parent and every child is different and would result to varying situations. These tips are things that have worked for me. The key is to try and try until you find a method that you think is successful for you. Do not be hard on yourself. Otherwise, trying to balance writing and parenting will be stressful if you put too much pressure on it. You will make it work because of the love for your child and your passion for writing. How do you plan to balance these two acts?

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Monica Morgan is a free-spirited woman having vast experience in article writing. She loves to travel Asian countries, writing reviews on each of them on her Hqessays.com. She prefers using diverse writing styles to properly engage with a wide array of readers.

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Would you like to participate in Friday "Speak Out!"? Email your short posts (under 500 words) about women and writing to: marcia[at]wow-womenonwriting[dot]com for consideration. We look forward to hearing from you!
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