Write Time
By Camy Tang
Working Full-Time and Writing
(or for any busy writer)
As always, remember that these tips won't all work for everyone, so pick and choose what's right for you.
Kids, kids, kids, kids, kids, kids, kids, kids, kids, kids
Don't sacrifice your precious time with your children, but you can also work the system to squeeze out some time to write.
--Take them outside and wear them out (don't wear yourself out too much, though). Then they'll be aching for a nap later. You've just earned yourself an hour or two of writing time.
--Arrange a rotating "play date" with other parents, where one parent watches several kids and the responsibility switches each time. This isn't for all parents, some have a hard time caring for more than their own, but if you can swing this, go for it.
--Hire a high school or college-aged babysitter (read: el-cheapo) for a few hours each week. However, be aware that if you remain at home with the kids, sometimes they won't leave you alone. You might need to actually leave the house in order to write. If you have a laptop or Alphasmart, that won't be too much of a problem, but if you don't, try the public library with your manuscript on a disk or flashdrive.
--Scout out places you can take your kids to play by themselves, like a park with a jungle gym and a bench nearby. Schedule to take the kids there once a week or so. They'll have fun while you can sit with a laptop or a pad and pen.
--While your kids are young enough to have nap times, utilize them for writing. When they outgrow nap time, you can still enforce 1-2 hours of "quiet time" when they have to play by themselves. You might need to prepare for this ahead of time by stocking up on games they can play, books to read, any type of solitary activity.
--Schedule a "movie hour" once a week. If you get them involved in the movie selection, they might be more apt to be happy watching by themselves. If they can't watch by themselves, sit with them with earplugs and a laptop or pen and paper.
--Put them to work! Sure, your twelve-year-old won't vacuum as thoroughly as you would, but a little is better than nothing. And it means YOU don't have to do it for that week. Plus if it takes her longer than it would take you, that's time you can spend with your laptop "supervising."
If you have to bribe the kids with a little extra spending money or privileges, that's ok. That's writing time you're buying.
It does require you to let some stuff go. Is your perfectly swept floor more important or your twenty minutes of writing? Plus if you do it yourself another week, it'll eventually get cleaned up, right?
If you have any other tips on how to manipulate--er, handle your children to enable writing time, I'd love to hear it. Email me at camy@camytang.com.
I found a terrific community and resource called MomsAtWork.org. They are a Christian ministry offering support, encouragement and articles for working mothers. Check them out!
Camy Tang lives in San Jose, California. She previously worked biology research and is a staff worker for her church youth group. She writes Asian Christian fiction, and you can read more at her website or drop her an email for more information.