It can be challenging to juggle writing time with parenting responsibilities. In order to be a successful writer it is important to find any opportunity possible to improve your craft. Some strategies for weaving writing time around these responsibilities include the following.
Keep Supplies Close By the Bed.
Parents can get some peaceful writing time by keeping a notepad or journal near their bed. Getting up earlier and not having to wander the house to find supplies increases the chance that the children will remain sleeping. This way parents can create longer periods of time to write without disrupting the household into a state of wakefulness and interruption.
Bring a Notebook to the Children's Activities
If the children are old enough to participate in their activities without direct parental involvement - such as school aged or older - parents can sit somewhere nearby and take advantage of the half hour or so of peace and distraction to develop ideas, plot, or even draft out a short essay or article.
Take Advantage of Housework
Stealing away to the laundry room can be a great way to find privacy. Many children go to great lengths to avoid chores, so announcing the need for a laundry run will often send children in the other direction. Planting some writing materials and resources in the laundry room ahead of time will make this a quick and easy escape.
Arrange Reciprocal Play Dates.
Play dates are a great way for parents to get some time away from the children and focus on their writing. Reciprocal play dates are play dates that parents take turns in hosting. The alternating nature of this kind of arrangement has an advantage of being easy on the budget because it is an exchange of services rather than a fee-for-service act.
Retreat to the Bathroom.
Rather than bringing the entire newspaper into the bathroom to kill some time, keeping a small supply of topic-specific reading material to go through while you sit as well as a notepad and pen can make good use of otherwise boring time. Parents can stock Magazine issues and books for reviewing or use the time to record inspirational ideas.
Build a Children's Audio Library
Many children's books can be found in audio (CD or cassette tape) format in local libraries and bookstores. Borrowing, renting or buying audio books can be some options for parents to consider. While the children are listening to their favorite stories parents can take some time to enrich their own writing while feeling reassured that their children are engaged in a wholesome educational activity.
In her book Writing Motherhood, author Lisa Garrigues talks about following a writing schedule that allows for the variety of situations that occur in the lives of writers on any given day. Although her book is focused more on the topic of writing mothers, this strategy can be applied by any writing parent whether they are writing for fun or building a successful writing career.
Parents who write at home often struggle to find time to focus on their writing projects. There are a variety of ways parents can sneak in some writing time that might not be obvious at first. If they look closer at their daily activities they will be able to see small opportunities to take advantage of that can increase their writing productivity and peace of mind.
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