Hey friends! I’m taking a brief pause from DIY projects and crafts today to get a little more personal. Yikes! 😉
When Meagan from The Charming Farmer asked me to join this DIY Mama blog hop and share how I balance blogging and being a mama, I was a little apprehensive. Okay, I was a lot apprehensive. I definitely don’t have it all together, nor do I have this whole DIY blogger and mom thing figured out.
Not even a little bit.
BUT…
I’m going to guess I’m not the only one out there who doesn’t, either. Amiright?
BUT…
I’m going to guess I’m not the only one out there who doesn’t, either. Amiright?
Being a mom is challenging. Blogging is time consuming. Doing motherhood and blogging simultaneously isn’t a walk in the park, but it’s something I absolutely love doing.
If you’re new around here, let me share a little bit more about my journey to motherhood. It all started when my hubby David and I got married just over 4 years ago. He’s an amazing and caring man, and I’m so happy he chose me to be his wife! He doesn’t really share my love of DIY crafts and projects (however he does jump in when I need help!), but he’s incredibly supportive and encouraging when I have countless crazy craft and home decor ideas; just one of the reasons I love him!
We knew we wanted to wait a couple of years before starting a family, so we worked and spent all our free time together our first couple years of marriage. When we decided we would start “trying” for a baby, we had no idea how long it’d take. Not even a month later (on the day my niece was actually born), I found out I was pregnant!
Our sweet baby girl Jade was born in November of 2013. She is a little energetic fire cracker; she totally lights up our world! We love every minute with her, and love watching her grow and become a darling little girl.
A few months after she was born, I was struggling to “find myself” again. I had this new role as a mother and I just didn’t quite know what to do with it all. Life had changed a lot, and now I was home 24/7 with this little baby. I felt so alone each day, going about the mundane tasks of the housework. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love being a stay at home mom with Jade and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world; but I needed something else.
So, I decided to start sharing things I crafted and made, and to start a little blog! It’s been my outlet this past year, and has helped me feel like I have something for myself. Something I’m working on for me. And let me tell you, there’s no room to be selfish as a mama, so having this little blog was so incredibly important and meaningful. I think you other mama’s can relate!
In the beginning of my blogging journey, I went head on. I tried to do it all. I was trying to crank out 3 posts a week, all new material, link up to all link parties I could find, reach out to others on social media, etc. I found that after a few months, it was really taking it’s toll. I loved being able to be creative and share it all on my blog, but I was trying to do too much (which is what I always tend to do!).
I put waaaaay too much pressure on myself. While it was easier in the sense that Jade was still so young and not yet mobile (and slept a lot), I still was trying to do more than I really needed. I struggled with this being my hobby and also wanting it to be a career and help with the finances, and it almost caused me to just give up. More than once, in fact.
Contrary to what I try and tell myself, I can’t do all the things.
And that’s ok!
However, I’ve finally found some balance. Sort of. Now that Jade is a little older and is really active, I try to only do blog related work when she’s napping or after she’s in bed. It makes it difficult to stay on top of things, but I get to spend more time with Jade, which is why I’m home in the first place. We play and read books some of the day, and then we do chores together. She helps me fold the laundry (aka trying on all of mommy’s shirts and daddy’s socks), and helps empty the dishwasher. She also has time to herself, where she will read books quietly or play with her toys and I’ll have a chance to do a few other things around the house.
But when it’s nap time, it’s mommy work time. I get my rear in gear and get all my crafts and projects hammered out, as well as any photos taken while it’s still light. After Jade goes to bed, I work on editing photos and writing my posts. I’m never ahead, but I’m not too far behind. I like to call myself a professional procrastinator. However, I always get work done when it’s needed, even if that means staying up late to do so, which there have been many nights of here and there.
I think the biggest challenge of motherhood is making sure I’m doing all I can to provide the best for Jade. I’m not talking about food and essential things; I’m talking about social, emotional, and learning opportunities. I think every mom worries, “am I doing enough? Should I be doing more? Maybe I need to read to them more often.” It’s easy to get down on ourselves, myself included. I always try and be the best mom I know how to be for Jade, but I still fall short. Especially on days where I may need to do a few projects while she’s awake; I worry I’m failing as her mom. While it’s easy to think, I know it’s not true.
When it comes to being a mama, I’m no expert. When it comes to being a blogger, I’m definitely no expert. There are days where I struggle to find balance between the two, and some days I feel I’m only getting by. But, in the end, my daughter goes to bed fed, clothed, and happy. As I watch her sleeping over the baby monitor, I know I’ve succeeded in something today even though my blog may be left in the dust along with the dishes and laundry. I know that my job as her mom is the only thing that matters, and that makes my heart happy.
While I haven’t done a ton of kid based projects (yet!), there are a few you might enjoy. This DIY PVC Pipe Book Storage is such an easy project to complete, and is perfect in any kiddos’ room!
You can also make an easy felt banner for kids with just a piece of felt, a dowel, and some string! Jade loves to put up shapes and tell me their colors. It’s such a great learning tool!
We hope to have another kiddo someday soon, and by then, I’ll probably be posting a lot more kid-based projects and crafts. I can’t wait!
If I could leave you with one thought, it’d be this: live in the moment with your child, for they grow up way. too. fast.
Every moment is precious. Experience life all over again through your child’s eyes. They will teach you things you never knew before; you just have to be in the moment with them!
A huge thanks to Meagan for inviting me to join in on this fun and share my little DIY Mama “balancing act” with you! If you’d like to read what some other amazing DIYmama’s do to balance life, head over to their blogs below and be inspired!
Day 1 Mamas:
Day 2 Mamas:
Danielle @ 2 Little Superheroes
Amanda @ Dwelling in Happiness
Rachel @ Shades of Blue Interiors
Are you a blogger and a mama? How do you balance life as both? I’d love to hear any tips that work well for you; I’m always looking to improve on my “routine!” 🙂
(I link up at these fun parties!)
It’s always the dishes and the laundry that get left undone. I think those are the least desirable of all household chores 🙂
Jillian recently posted…Balancing It All
I agree! Ha! The laundry may get left undone more than anything else. 😉 Thanks for stopping by Jillian, happy to join you in this DIY Mama group!
Such a great and heartfelt post, Amanda! You are such a sweet Mommy…. and awesome blogger! I agree 100% of time consuming it is; it’s rewarding as well but like you said, I want to remember to live in the moment and cherish these days when they’re small! Hugs, friend!
Thank you so much, Kendra!! You are too kind. It’s amazing how fast the time goes and how quickly they grow! It seems like just yesterday Jade was just a few months old, and now she’ll be 2 in November! I love cherishing those little moments. 🙂 Hugs to you too, sweet friend!!
These resonated with me so much, thank you for sharing your story!
Lauren recently posted…WCW Banana Cake with Brown Sugar Buttercream and Hokey Pokey Crumble
Thank you, Lauren!! I think it’s fun to share real life stuff. Life is messy sometimes, and it’s ok to show the world! 😉 Thanks for stopping by!
Such sweet pictures and your baby girl is beautiful! I am pretty sure I will never reach expert status in mothering or blogging:)
Thank you, Bee!! I hear you on that, expert status will never be reached. And I’m ok with that! 😉 Thanks for popping over for a visit!
Hi, Amanda ~ I so enjoyed this post! It’s hard to find balance, but I’m with you, I love blogging and being a mom, so I’ll keep trying to find it! :0) I loved seeing all of your family photos and photos of your adorable Jade! Personality and a half with that girl! Thanks for opening up and sharing more about your struggles and priorities. Have a happy week!
Tiffany recently posted…DIY Wall Art Flip Flop: Nature-Inspired Canvas Creations
Hi Tiffany! Thank you so much! And thank you for your kinds words about Jade. 🙂 Yes, she IS personality and a half!! But she’s so much fun. Hope you have a fantastic week, friend!
Great post! I have a 4 month old and started my blog about a week before she was born. Balance, balance, balance. It’s such a good reminder. It’s so easy to want to do it all, and to try to. You’re right, blogging and chores sometimes need to wait because time with our little ones is so much more important.
Thank you, Rachel! You are amazing to be keeping up on your blog AND having a 4 month old!! I don’t think I started blogging until my little one was about 7 months, but yep, it’s balance balance balance! Enjoy your time with your sweet little one! 🙂
This post was so good for me today! I’m a full-time working mama of a 3 year old little boy. I’m blessed in that, I work for our family business so I get to bring him with me to the shop 3 days a week, and he loves it. He goes to preschool the other two days, so we’ve found a good balance. But…when you try to add my passion for blogging into there, it gets a lot more complicated!! I’m constantly striving to keep a balance between mommy/dominic time, and blogging time. Nice to know I’m not alone!!
Leah Sannar recently posted…Wordless Wednesday
You are so not alone, Leah! First, hats off to you for being a working momma! You working momma’s blow me away and inspire me! Second, that balance is SO hard to find! That’s amazing you can bring your son to work with you, what a blessing indeed! Here’s to hoping we all find extra time in our day to blog. 😉
Great perspective thanks. I work, blog, and have a family and I am struggling (and failing) miserably to do all three. As long as everyone is happy, health, and fed I try not to stress too much about it.
Hil recently posted…Peanut Sauce
You’re absolutely right! Those 3 things are most important, everything else can wait. You are amazing for being a working mom, too! Thank you for taking the time to read my mess! 😉 Have a great week!
Hi Amanda, thank you so much for sharing your personal story. It resonates with my current life. I’m a new blogger (only having blogged for 4 months), and while I’m doing this as a way for me to find myself after 6 years as a stay-at-home mum, perhaps I have also pressured myself too much to make the blogging into a potential career. And sometimes I feel stressed out because I find it difficult to push one post a week and doing all the promotions following the post. I am a little frustrated because of that. But this post is a good reminder for me that it is okay to have the blogging lagging behind while my children (especially the second one) still need me. One day all of them will be at school and I will miss my time spent with them during the days. Btw, your daughter is so cute! And you sound like a wonderful mummy. Thanks again for sharing 🙂
Veronika | Tickled Pink Confetti recently posted…How to Create An Elegant Ballerina Birthday Party
Hi Veronika! Thank you so much for your sweet words!! Blogging really is a balance, but it’s hard to find most days. All I know is that my daughter comes first, so all else can wait if necessary; and on some days, I literally get nothing done! Don’t stress yourself out over posting, just do it when you can and you’ll enjoy it so much more! I agree, when the kiddos are all in school, we’ll be at home bored missing them! 🙂 Thank you for taking the time to visit, hope you have a fabulous week ahead! 🙂
It’s so hard to find a balance! My son is 6, so he’s pretty vocal about when the balance isn’t tipped in his favor! Enjoy this time, it goes by so fast!
Vineta @ The Handyman’s Daughter recently posted…3 LEGO Storage Solutions for Large Collections
I agree, Vineta! Balance is so hard, but is absolutely key. Phew! I’ll figure it out at some point. 😉 It sure DOES go fast! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂