5 Web Writing Tips for Busy Moms and Dads

by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer

If you’re a parent, you may feel that you never have the time to write. But no matter how busy you are, it can work – and work well. As an experienced parent who writes for a living while holding down another F/T career, I have a wealth of experience getting things done with lots of kids in the picture.

Keep the kids busy.

If you want to have time for writing, you first need to make sure the kids are occupied. If you have bored, cranky, and unhappy kids, you’ll never get any work done. Some of my favorite stay busy activities for kids include crafts, learning games on the computer, family games I can play with them while I write, building blocks or Legos, and park playgrounds where I can safely watch them while writing.

Write when you can.

This is easier than it may seem. There are always moments where you can fit in some work, even if they are small. Sometimes I only have five minutes at a time to get things written. But that’s okay. If you grab those minutes every time, you’ll have finished work sooner than you think. They add up pretty quickly. Some of my favorite times are while I’m making dinner, when I can’t sleep at night, while the kids are getting ready for school, when we’re watching movies, and when the kids are playing at the park.

Stay ready to work.

Bring your laptop, tablet, or paper and pen everywhere you go. I’ve even written articles in my cell phone when a moment strikes me. No matter what you’re doing, always have at least one way to work. You never know when you might have a free moment. Parents stay busy, but there are always little opportunities if you stay prepared.

Trade babysitting duties with other parents.

This can be a real lifesaver for all parties involved. Take a friend’s kids for a few hours or a day while they get some work done. Then, let them return the favor for you another day. This gives everyone a good amount of free time to get things done. If you don’t want to be away from your kids, an alternative is to have a friend come over and occupy the kids while you write.

Stay happy and energized.

If you aren’t happy and healthy, your writing will suffer. Be sure to eat plenty of brain food and stay hydrated. Also, make sure you’re doing things that keep you and the kids happy. Doing things other than just writing and going through a monotonous routine can help keep you inspired. While this may seem to take away more time you could be using to write, it actually should help keep your mind more focused and productive when you do get a chance to work. I’ve found that I produce more in less time if I’m feeling happy and healthy.

Photo Credit/Copyright: Lyn Lomasi

I originally published this here on BUBBLEWS (no longer published there)

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