Many times when I tell people that I am a blogger and blog about money-saving tips and frugal ideas, they usually almost always ask when I’m able to blog since I have children. So I want to share with you what a day in the life of a blogger is like at my house.
I wish I could say that I get up really early and put together my posts in the morning hours before everyone gets up. But I don’t because I still get up at least once or twice a night to feed my six-month old. So in the mornings, I am still tired and usually roll out of bed when my kids wake up about 7:30 a.m. At this time, we all eat breakfast together. Then I help the kids get dressed. At 8 a.m., we say goodbye to my husband as he heads out the door for work. I then try to take just a few minutes and write down 5 things that I want to accomplish that day. It could be washing a load of laundry, vacuuming, finishing a blog post, or trying a new meal. Whatever it is that I want to do or need to accomplish, I write it down on a piece of paper so I don’t forget about it, but for that day I stick to the 5 most important things first. I’ve learned that with caring for three young children, I can’t do too much more each day, so I keep my list short and doable.
During our morning routine, I need to nurse my baby. It’s during these times when I’m sitting down that I’m able to blog for a few minutes. I check to see if there are some good deals, edit posts, or respond to e-mails. While I nurse, the girls are doing their morning chores, which include making the bed, doing hair, brushing teeth, unloading dishwasher, reading, and doing homework. I help them where needed when I’m done nursing, and then also try to get myself ready in the morning. Most of the time, I’m still in my pajamas until late morning.
Once the girls’ chores are finished, they are allowed to watch a show on the television if they want. If they decide to watch a show, I will take time to blog for 30 minutes during the show. The morning always goes fast, and before I know it, it’s time for lunch. After lunch is cleaned up, I send my oldest daughter off to kindergarten. At this point, it’s time for my 3-year-old and I to spend some time together. We’ll take about an hour and do a preschool book together, activities, games, and reading. Then it’s time for her to take her nap about 2 p.m. I then usually sit down and nurse again before the baby takes an afternoon nap. Did I mention that I am constantly nursing? If my 3-year-old and baby take a nap at the same time, then I have a block of time where I can sit down and blog. I usually try to complete a blogging item that takes me more time such as writing a post or editing photos. I’ll also use this time to try to complete and check off some of the 5 items on my list.
About 3:45 p.m., my oldest daughter comes home from kindergarten and we talk about her day, look through her backpack, and read for a few minutes together. Before I know it, it’s time to start preparing dinner. I like to plan my meals 1-2 weeks at a time. This helps so I don’t wonder what we are having for dinner every night. I look at my list and choose a meal that I want to make that night, and I already know I have all of the ingredients on hand.
By 5 p.m., my husband is usually home from work and we eat about 5:30 p.m. Then the rest of the evening we are doing things together as a family. At 8 p.m., it’s time for the kids to get their pajamas on, eat a snack, brush teeth, read scriptures, and say prayers. About 9 p.m., my husband is reading one last story or singing a song to the girls, and at that time I will nurse my baby and get him ready to go to sleep for the night.
Once the baby is asleep, I have about an hour at night where I can fit more blogging time in. Night time isn’t my writing time. I write better in the mornings or afternoons. Since I’m tired at this time, I do more simple things such as e-mails, editing posts, or scheduling out posts on social media. I’ve been trying to do better about getting off the computer by 10:30 p.m. so my husband and I can talk and read a book together.
This is just our basic daily routine. There are times when I have to just go with the flow because unexpected things happened that day, which doesn’t allow for me to even check one item off my list. I really enjoy blogging and sharing things with others and helping families to save money. Even though I have so many posts I want to write and share, many times I have to take a step back and not do it so that I can focus on my family. I regularly have to remind myself that most importantly I am a wife and mother. I try each day to make sure I enjoy the time I have with my husband and my children while they are young. So there you have it. That’s my day in the life of a blogger.
And be sure to check out A Day in the Life of a Blogger series that Keep Moving Forward With Me has put together, and where you’ll find out what more mom bloggers do each day.
So fun to see a peak into your daily routine. Gosh, I have sure been there, and before long it’s over and they are all at school. I like your idea of writing down 5 things you want to accomplish each day.