by Sarah Sanny

Created on: July 17, 2008

As the mother of a 3-month-old girl, I say that no, motherhood does not end the ability to continue writing. Whether it is my poetry or the book series that I am writing with a friend, I always find ways to squeeze in some time to write or edit my works. Granted, I am not a single mother, but my husband does work odd hours since he works at a restaurant and is not always energetic enough to help out after work. Fortunately for me, he does the laundry and the dishes, while I take care of our daughter when he's at work. I can always count on a few hours during the day when my daughter is taking a nap, and as long as she is content just staring at the brightly colored cartoons on the television, I can count on at least an addition hour or two in addition to the nap times. I am lucky enough to have a very quiet baby, how hardly ever fusses or cries.

As long as you have a partner there to help out with chores and childcare, I think it can be easily done to continue writing. I of course make time to spend some bonding time with my daughter, so that she does not start to think I do not care about her. I play with her when she is awake, and when my husband is taking a nap before going to work, I play with her and feed her as well. My husband works late at night, so I get all morning to work on things on the computer, while he gladly spends time amusing our daughter, since she is asleep by the time he gets home most of the time.

I love when he has days off during the week, because he is home all day to take care of our little girl while I work on revisions or just storylines. I know not everyone has the same luxuries as I do, but as long as your partner is supportive, take advantage of any free time you can get (as long as you balance out writing and family time). If you are a stay-at-home mom (like I am) but have older kids who are in school, take advantage of the time while they are at school in order to have uninterrupted work time. You can easily multi-task the laundry or the dishwasher while writing (I do it all the time when my husband is working overtime and things like that need to get done).

My husband and I also take advantage of my mom offering to watch her granddaughter. My dad is getting deployed to Iraq at the end of the month, so my mom likes to come over as often as possible to spend time with their only grandchild. My dad calls her almost every night if he can, and she loves to let him talk to our daughter while she holds the phone to her ear. It allows us not only time on our own, but can also give me time to work on storylines and character development ideas. I am sure not everyone has that kind of option available, but if someone offers, do not pass up the opportunity for some writing time!

As long as you can manage your time well, you can do anything you put you mind to. It may seem like an "easier said than done" type of thing, but it is completely true! I am a part time sales representative for both Mary Kay Cosmetics and Cutco Cutlery, while working on a book series and taking care of my family. It is hard work, I won't kid you on that, but as with anything worth doing, it is going to take hard work and a lot of it!

In closing, I just want to wish a big GOOD LUCK to all the moms single or married who are juggling a family and a budding writing career!

Learn more about this author, Sarah Sanny.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.