Promoted

Don't freak out. I'm still a mom writing away during those kid-nap-time hours. That hasn't changed.

And I really didn't get an actual promotion, but it feels that way.

I've been promoted from Soccer Mom
(who runs kids around town from one activity to the next)
to

Gymnastics Mom

(who runs kids around town from one activity to the next AND drives forty minutes three times a week to a larger city where her six-year-old daughter is on a competitive gymnastics team)

This means I have:

1. Less time
2. Organizational/logistical skills required that were previously optional
3. Stress increase
4. Excitement increase (I'm super excited for this opportunity for my daughter)
5. Kid-management/mad-snack-distribution skills required that were previously optional

The truth is, after dinner every night, I'm ready to crash. At least two nights this week I've gone to bed with the kids. Staying up late to write just isn't happening.

I'm still getting writing done, but it means I have to be productive during my kids' nap times.

A friend asked me just last night, "How do you have time to write?"

When I said, "Nap time," he gave the response most people do: a small chuckle.

But it's true. I'm fiercely protective of that two-hour (sometimes three if I'm lucky) nap time. I know there are a million other things I could be doing  (laundry! mopping! general tidying! taking a nap myself!) but I IGNORE THEM so I can write. That's the only way I'm going to get anything done.

I'm hoping once my body and mind adjust to this "promotion," the stress will decrease and the nightly productivity will increase ... but until then, nap time is IT.

The goal is that we'll all be able to pursue our dreams, big and little kids alike.

Do you have an insane schedule? How do you manage it and make time to do what you love?

Photo credit: karpati from morguefile.com