When I first started blogging, I was really clueless. It was something I started doing on a whim with no plan or agenda . I had no idea the blogosphere existed or how expansive it was. (Okay, I live under a rock.) So it took me by surprise when I suddenly found I really wanted to get more involved in the blogging community. I wanted people to read my blog. I wanted to read other blogs. I wanted to make bloggy friends. And I was really surprised how time consuming the whole process could be.
Writing posts takes time for sure, but getting involved in the blogosphere can be all encompassing. There are communities and forums to join. There are blogs that I read because I already follow them. There are new blogs to discover and read. Twitter and Facebook need updating. There is never ending tweaking to my blog layout. I could spend all day on blogging related activities and still not be finished.
The problem is, I have a life outside of blogging. I have a husband, three girls four years old and younger, and a menagerie of pets that need attention. Not to mention I’d like a little “me” time every once in a while. So how do I find a balance between blogging and life?
For me, some serious multi-tasking along with a basic routine works the best. In the mornings, I usually have about a half hour before breakfast to check e-mail, pop in on a couple forums, and update Twitter and Facebook. Then craziness ensues as I get three small children fed, dressed, hair and teeth brushed, and ready for whatever the morning holds. Twice a week we head off to preschool, we run errands a couple days a week, and hit the grocery store once a week. The other days there’s some free play time while I do chores like cleaning the house and laundry. I usually get a few minutes to hop on the computer and briefly check e-mail and Facebook in the morning. Then we head outside about an hour before lunch to play in the yard together. Somewhere in there, the baby takes her morning nap.
I take full advantage of morning snack time and nursing the baby to read blogs and check e-mail, Facebook, and Twitter. Before afternoon nap, the older girls watch some television while the baby plays near by. I head over to my computer and get at least a start on a post. Once nap time hits for the younger two, I try to get my non-napping oldest to play on her own for a half hour. I think it’s important for her to entertain herself without direction all the time, and it gives me a chance to do some things around the house. I try to do some blog reading and commenting during that time, too. Then, it’s time to spend some one-on-one time with her.
After nap, it’s time for a little exercise and fresh air for all of us on our afternoon walk followed by more play time until dinner. While I make dinner, I run between the kitchen, the computer, and the living room to finish reading blogs and make sure the girls aren’t killing each other. Then it’s clean up time, bath time, and bed time times three.
Once the kids are asleep, I have a couple hours until I go to bed. I frequently head out for a run to clear my head, relax, and get a little “me” time after non-stop kids all day long. I try to spend a little time with my husband without the kids too.
Then I blog. Depending on my mood, I might spend a half hour to an hour and a half writing posts and visiting forums and blogs. A couple days a week I try to write a few posts so I have some standing by in case I don’t get around to writing one day.
There are days I achieve a better balance than others. Some days, I don’t make it through my reader, or I don’t visit any forums. Some days I lose track of time and one of my girls cuts her own hair while I’m on the computer.
Consequence of blogging too much
Then there are days I just do nothing. That’s okay. Blogging is supposed to be fun. I don’t want it to become another chore I have to do. Sometimes taking a break to just enjoy my family is really good. Plus, it gives me something to blog about.
How do you balance blogging and life?
13 Responses to “Managing My Life as a Blogger and Mommy”
Jessica you are a Tornado of energy!!!!!!!!!!!!! I found your time organization to be helpful even though I do not have three little ones running around. And, how cute is the picture of your baby. I think the haircut was a fine job! You also made a good point that blogging should not become a chore but rather something enjoyable! Thank you for re-inforcing that we do not and can not do everything all the time. Fabulous post Jessica!
@Madison– Thanks! I don’t know if I’m the tornado of energy in my house. I think I’m just swept along by my three little tornadoes.
It’s hard for me to remember sometimes that blogging is something I want to do, not something I have to do. It’s a tricky balance to find, but I’m working on it. I think that’s all anyone can do is try. Sometimes you find that sweet spot where everything just works, and sometimes not.
Oh, it is so much work to be an active, succesfull blogger! I still haven’t found a balance, though I’m working hard to achieve it. This was a fantastic post for mommy bloggers!
Thanks Natalie! Glad you enjoyed it. It is really hard to find a good balance. I’m working on it too.
@jessicaanne – That picture cracks me up each and every time I see it!!! Your daughter(s) are just SO cute. Really. The water all over her shirt because she wet it “Like Mommy.”, her eyes half-closed, hair askew…how could you be upset with that face?
Balance is so hard to obtain for me, but for different reasons I think. Which I will blog about! I think this is a great post on the realism of balancing blogging and family.
Thank you so much for being a guest poster!!!
@Natalie – Really glad you enjoyed Jessica’s guest post!
And thanks for joining us here at BYB! Everybody, hop on over to our newest members blog, http://www.mommyofamonster.com!
@Madison Hill – I agree, I think her point about not making blogging a chore is a HUGELY important. Because, just like people can hear a smile in your voice, people can tell when you aren’t enjoying blogging too, I think.
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LOL That picture is too cute! I love that you are encouraging your daughter to find ways to entertain herself ~ too often parents, especially moms, think they have to entertain their children from the moment they wake up until they go to sleep. It’s good for kids to learn to spend time alone and to be content.
I don’t have little ones at home anymore (mine are all teenagers now) but I still have a hard time finding a balance. There are days when I feel like I’ve been on the computer for 24/7 and other days when I can barely remember my passwords because it’s been so long. I’d like to find a better balance but…
Blogging is still fun so I won’t sweat it too much.
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@Alyna Thanks so much for letting me guest post! It was so much fun! I can’t wait to read your post! I have to admit, when I saw her, all wet, hair all over the floor, I laughed, really hard. Hopefully she won’t do it again for the laugh.
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@Daenel – Isn’t that picture adorable?!?
Maybe your balance is better than you think…here’s the thing, I think people think “balance” and they think of dividing their time equally. I think of balance as more of a way to shift your priorities so that you can navigate your life with some fluidity and feel happy both personally and professionally. Does that make sense or am I simply up too late?
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@Jessica Anne – You are SO welcome!!! I welcome you anytime! You did a fabulous job.
I think you have to laugh at something like that! I mean, how could you not? She is so cute! And what a smart girl for trying to do it just like you!!! Gotta love adorableness combined with cleverness!
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@Daenel– Teaching kids to entertain themselves is good for both them and Mommy. (Otherwise Mommy doesn’t get a minute to herself.
) I think as long as blogging is still fun, you probably have a good enough balance. It’s just important to keep everything in perspective, no matter what the exact details of your life are.
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[...] Why Register? What’s Hot#FF #FollowFriday 31 Days to Build a Better Blog 2010 Adventures With Three Girls Belal Design Better Your Blog Blog Design Blogging Tip Blogging Tips Branding Consistency Crystal & Co. Darren Rowse Design Eighty MPH Mom Featured Member First Impression five blogging tips Forum Giveaways Gravatar Guest Post July 2010 June 2010 List Posts Living Outside the Stacks Members Monday Mommy Monologues Monday Mingle Networking New Members Nolie’s Place Poll post by nolie ProBlogger Skin Care in the City Tip Junkie Twitter Video Blog Vlog Votre Vu Week in Review Welcome When a Woman Takes an Axe to a Wall Balance and BloggingJuly 30th, 2010 admin AdminA while ago, Jessica Anne from Adventures With Three Girls was kind enough to do a guest post about Managing My Life as a Blogger and Mommy. [...]