I love reading people’s “A day in my life” posts, so figured I would do one myself 🙂 To recap, I’m a work-from-home mom of two little girls, ages 2 1/2 and 1. Life is BUSY now, but we make it work and I’m happy to be able to bring in an income from my home. Everyone has their own schedule and own way of doing things…this is mine.
A day in my life…
7am: Wake up time for me! I’m trying to get up at 6 am every day, but I’ll admit that that hasn’t happened yet. My 2 1/2 year old still wakes up in the middle of the night so when 6 o’clock rolls around I am just too tired (and lazy) to get up (I know, excuses excuses). I am determined to start getting up earlier though…
8am: Girls wake up. Now the fun begins! We change diapers, make breakfast and play all morning. We don’t really do anything in particular – they do puzzles and play blocks in their rooms, I’ll check emails, comment on blogs and read all my morning websites, and we’ll all play together.
9:45am. My youngest, Maisie, goes down for her morning nap around this time. She usually only naps about 45 minutes in the morning, but that’s enough time for me to get ready and write an article (I write anywhere from 1-3 articles a day on average, not counting my blog) if I scramble. My oldest, Cami, watches TV during this time. Her favorites are Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and educational YouTube videos (ABC songs, Busy Beavers, shapes, numbers, etc…there are lots to choose from!). I’m not a huge fan of the television, but my oldest typically watches 1-2 hours per day. My youngest doesn’t watch any TV (her choice, not mine, haha).
10:30am. Maisie wakes up and we try to get out and do something fun! We’ll go on a walk, go to the library, hit up the park or run errands. On days we stay home, we’ll do a craft, cook/bake while listening to music, etc.
Noon. NAPTIME! My favorite time of day (jk, though not really). Cami is the world’s greatest napper. She usually naps anywhere from 2 – 3 1/2 hours depending on how she slept the night before, how early she woke up and what activity we did in the morning. Maisie isn’t the best napper, but lately I’ve been getting 1 1/2 – 2 hours out of her. I would prefer longer, but this used to be MUCH worse!! I honestly don’t know how I was able to get all my work done back when she wasn’t napping, but I somehow managed.
So, this is the time that I really focus on working. One of my freelance jobs is editor of a major women’s online publication. I respond to all emails, do my daily tasks, make sure everything’s running smoothly behind the scenes, assign topics to writers, brainstorm ideas and so on and so forth. Editing doesn’t require HOURS at a time…it’s more just checking in often throughout the day and doing the work as it comes in. I also use this time to write articles and work on my blog. If the girls nap for a long amount of time or if I’m really focused, I can typically get 2 articles done plus do some stuff for the blog.
See how to be productive when working from home with kids >>
2:30pm. Maisie is usually up before this, but by 2:30 it’s pretty much guaranteed they are both awake. We make lunch and play for a while and then I’ll usually call my husband to see when he plans on being home. If he’s home before 4, we usually hang around the house. If he’s working late, we’ll try to get out and go for a walk or to the park. Sometimes we’ll even wander around Target, haha. I try not to write any articles when the girls are awake, but I will take a few minutes here and there to edit and catch up on emails (I pretty much do this all day throughout the day).
5pm. John’s usually home by now so one of us will make dinner while the other entertains the girls. Last night we went out for cookies and coffee, but normally we play at home or take the girls on a walk. If I haven’t left the house all day, which happens about twice a week, we make sure to go somewhere – even if it’s just the grocery store!
6:30pm. Lately, John’s been super awesome and helpful and volunteers to watch the girls for a little while so I can catch up on work. I usually take him up on that and work until about 7:15 in our room. I’m usually able to finish up my editing for the day and get caught up on emails. Super helpful!!
7:30pm. Bedtime for the ladies! Maisie goes down almost always without a fight and sleeps 12-13 hours each night straight. She is my dream sleeper!! Cami normally doesn’t fall asleep until about 8:15. Sometimes we’ll let her stay up til then but usually we do put her to bed at 7:30.
8pm. This is our “quiet time” and we love it! We both usually sit on the couch together goofing off on our own computers or watching TV. If I wasn’t able to write a blog post that day, I’ll start working on that. If I Â have written a post or wasn’t planning on writing one, I’ll read other blogs, go on Facebook, etc.
9pm. John and I enjoy spending quality time together so depending on how the day went, we will shut off our computers and just talk for a while. We usually wind up doing this every night. I’ll also normally make dessert for us so we can enjoy something sweet while talking.
10pm. Netflix time!! It’s probably not a good habit of ours, but we always always always watch our shows before going to sleep. We just finished Season 4 of Walking Dead!! I’m trying to convince him to start Gilmore Girls but I don’t think that’ll be happening. Next up is Season 2 of The Following! I usually fall asleep during the shows and we are always asleep by 11:30 at the latest.
So that is my very detailed “day in the life” post. If you made it through that whole thing, thank you!
Does your day look similar to mine? Do you try and structure all of your days or are you more go with the flow?!
Richard Martin says
atHello Sarah.
First time here and I like what I see!
interesting post which shows how busy you are. I don’t envy you with 2 small children, but going by this typical day, you seem to manage it really well including doing some work to bring in the money.
10pm – Netflix time! I disagree that this is not a good habit. It’s a really good habit I think – it’s really important just to unwind, and give your brain some much needed rest. My most productive periods of work always comes after rest.
Walking Dead is on my hit list, I’ve just managed to watch the last of prison Break and also finish off The Office: American Workplace (loved it, so much better than our UK version).
Anyway, bookmarked this site. I love your down to earth writing style and you are someone I feel i can definitely connect with.
Have a great Thursday! Sharing this one out now.
sbrooks52111@yahoo.com says
atHi!! Thanks for the comment and sharing my post!! You made my day 🙂 I admire your blog so much and have a whole plethora of posts I want to read on your blog alone, lol. You are where I hope to be some day and I love that you’re willing to share your success and be so open with how you make your money online. It’s crazy how overwhelming it is – I feel like I learn SO much every day, yet I haven’t even scratched the surface on what I want to learn.
I finished Prison Break a few months ago!! I really loved the 1st and last season, but wasn’t crazy about the middle two, haha. Yes – definitely start Walking Dead – great story line throughout the seasons, which I think is rare for shows these days (with the exception of Breaking Bad).
Anyways, now I seem like a TV-junkie haha 🙂 Again, thanks for the comment!! Hope you have an awesome day!!
Brandy says
atWow, you are busy! Even though I wake up at 5am on the weekdays, I don’t think I have half as productive as you. However, I work outside the home so I’m gone for most of the day.
sbrooks52111@yahoo.com says
atHi! Thanks for the comment! I always wonder how people who work out of the home manage to get dinner on the table and laundry done! I’ve come to the conclusion that both being home with little ones and working outside the house both have their pros and cons. For me, it’s hard not having adult interaction most of the day…but other than that I am thankful for my situation!
Brian @ Debt Discipline says
atA busy day for sure. Our days are not structure, except for wake up time 5:30 AM and getting our 3 kids ready for high school and middle school. Another then that it depends on the after school activities and if my wife is working. She works P/T, but schedule changes each week.
sbrooks52111@yahoo.com says
atI have to admit I’m a little nervous for when our kids start school and all the activities that come with it! I know I’ll be spending a lot more time in the car, haha. Also – I’ve been scouring your blog all morning…you guys are awesome and so inspiring!!!! Keep up the great work!!!
Brian @ Debt Discipline says
atGet your rest now. 🙂 Thanks Sarah!
Toni @ Debt Free Divas says
atI relate entirely. Trying to wake up at 6, but last night little missy decided she wanted to party at 2:30 am. Wow! She’s sleeping like an angel right now :). We’ll get there. I’ll be in Heaven when I can sink up nap time. Ha!
Erin @ Journey to saving says
atI’m amazed at how well you make this work! I love the teamwork you and John have going on, though. It’s nice that he can take care of the girls for a little so that you can catch up on things.
My schedule is all over the place most of the time! I’d like to get a proper routine going, but it hasn’t happened since we moved. I’m usually working from 10-5:30, I take a break when my boyfriend comes home, and then I’ll start working again from 9 on, usually until midnight or sometimes 2am.
Ashley @ Saving Money in your Twenties says
atOH MY GOSH– YOU FIT SO MUCH INTO YOUR DAYS?! I CAN’T EVEN IMAGINE JUGGLING WORKING FROM HOME WITH TWO LITTLE ONES! THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE, BY THE WAY 🙂 SO GLAD TO HAVE FOUND YOUR BLOG- YAY!
PS- I AM IN LOVE WITH YOUR THEME!
Ashley @ Saving Money in your Twenties says
atbahahaha omg i totally thought your comment box was just written in all caps and didn’t realize it was me who was in caps!!! now I look like a fool who comments in capslock… SORRYYYYY! (that time was purposeful caps haha)
sbrooks52111@yahoo.com says
atLOL about the all caps!!!! No problem at all! Yay – Happy to have you following along!!! I’m excited to follow you, too! And trust me…the only reason I’m so organizes is because of the girls. If I didn’t have a “plan” everyday I would get nothing done!!
Katie says
atglad you commented on my blog and I found yours! your girls are so cute! and I don’t know what i would do without nap time to do my blog, get things done around the house, etc. It seems like it’d be so hard to have a lot of work to get done during the day – i’m impressed! and your evenings are very similar to ours. i wish my husband would watch gilmore girls too!
sbrooks52111@yahoo.com says
atHi Katie!! LOL I totally asked my husband again last night if he would watch Gilmore Girls…nope!! I don’t know why I even bother – he won’t even watch Friends and that’s a classic!!! Yeah – I do have a lot to get done most days but I’ve gotten really really fast at a lot of my freelancing jobs. And one thing I like about it is every week is different – some weeks I’m swamped but then other weeks (like this one!) I have barely anything going on lol.
Thank you for commenting!! Looking forward to continuing reading your blog! Hope you have a great weekend!!
Ashley Brooks says
at1 – 3 articles a day?! You’re officially my hero. I’m definitely checking out that post about how to be productive with kids at home. Hadley will be 3 months next week, and even though she’s starting to fall into a schedule, things are still crazy enough that I feel like I’m scrambling for work time.
sbrooks52111@yahoo.com says
atI LOVE the name Hadley!!! I always tell my husband if we have a third girl that’s what we are naming her!! Or Hallie 🙂 I like both of those! Also – it definitely takes time to get on a schedule. Three months was the sweet spot for both of my girls, good luck!!!