Since this is my third baby, I have the benefit of understanding what can and can’t be done during the first few months of life. My work doesn’t allow me to carve out several months to focus exclusively on the baby–I have a manuscript due in the fall– but I also have the privilege of control over my time. For me, the goal is to keep making progress on the book without sacrificing attention to my newborn. Here are three things I’ve been doing every day to help:
I work on the book, but I don’t impose any specific progress goals. Every day since Paloma was born, I have done something to get me closer to finishing my work in progress. I don’t have any rigid requirements like writing a certain number of words per day, but I also don’t skip any days. This is a research-heavy book, so many days my one thing is a little bit of reading on the topic. It might also be sending an email to someone who can help, outlining a scene, or actually writing a scene. All of these tasks are small enough that I can fit them in on busy days, but none of them are so overwhelming that they take time or joy away from my baby.
I exercise. Specifically, MommaStrong. It’s fifteen minutes (with the option to do just five minutes on hectic days), and I adore the instructor, Courtney Wyckoff. I’ve learned a lot about biomechanics, but more importantly, I’ve learned about showing up in the chaos of early parenting. I hit play on the first Birth Recovery workout while I was still hooked up to the postpartum pitocin in the hospital. That sounds ridiculous, except it was exactly what my body needed at that moment.
I take a shower. Okay, this is the one I struggle the most with, but I have tried very hard to take a quick shower every night after everyone is in bed. Sadly I have found the not-having-time-to-shower-after-baby stereotype to be true, mostly because it’s something that really does require someone else to be on hand: unlike writing and exercise, I can’t do it while the baby is looking on from the bouncer or staring up at the play gym, and I even hesitate to take a shower during naps (what if they wake up and I don’t hear them). But my kids basically never wake up during the first stretch of nighttime sleep, so I try to make sure I shower then–it’s so much better for my mental well-being and sense of normalcy.
The hard part about writing while taking care of a newborn is the constant shifting gears between baby care and work, and trying to take advantage of the odd minutes of freedom you get. By asking myself over and over again if I’ve done my three things (work on the book, exercise, and shower) it helps stave off overwhelm and actually use time when I have it. If I get more done, great. But these are the things I do every day, and then I build from there.
I also want to clarify that this isn’t a sustainable plan for writing an entire book or managing a career. The fact is that those pursuits will depend on daycare down the road–I don’t think anyone wins when parents pretend that they are magically working full-time during naps. Perhaps it’s been done, but I think it would be extremely difficult and possibly not worth it. Finishing my book and earning a living will eventually require childcare. Until then, my three things keep me headed in the right direction.
So what are the things you do every day? Reply and let me know!
Book reading at the Takoma Park Maryland Library, 2017
Other News…
I’m booking school visits and keynotes for the 2024-2025 academic year. Visit my booking page or get in touch with Lisa Nadel at lonnilanemarketing@gmail.com to schedule. Lisa can also tell you about an opportunity for free school visits for the launch of Cousins in the Time of Magic!
Upcoming Events:
I’m presenting a workshop titled Make It a System: How to Handle Business, Manage Your Time, and Organize Everything at the virtual conference of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators this August. Register at www.scbwi.org
I’m presenting a workshop titled Don’t Get Lost: Plan Your Book and Writing Process Like a Pro at the LKBF Latinx Storyteller’s Conference in September. I’m also offering one-on-one consultations. Register here!