There's scheduling (it's not easy to keep track of five boys' schedules) and accounting (you wouldn't believe how much money I pay to their schools and other organizations), meetings (we "meet" as a family once a week. We call it FHE—Family Home Evening) and debriefings (where I recount the details of an incident to my husband so he can take over discipline.) :)
Then there's hiring (babysitters, cleaning ladies, yard crews, bug and pest companies, locksmiths, plumbers, roofers, etc, etc.) and firing (okay, maybe not so much firing as just letting them go...quietly.) There's maintenance (the laundry doesn't wash and fold itself—man, I wish it did!) and, of course, training (too bad kids don't come with a built-in function where they automatically know how to use the toilet, tie their shoes, read, ride a bike, write their name, etc, etc.)
So basically, I'm an entrepreneur! Woot!
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My husband finances this operation, so I have to give him credit there.
When I think of all I'm doing, it's no wonder I'm not pumping out several novels a year. I think I need to cut myself some slack when it comes to the whole writing business. After all, I'm already running a small business! :)
On a side note, be sure to check out Unicorn Bell this week because I'm hosting over there. I have three fabulous authors who were kind enough to share their "How I Got My Agent" stories, and if you love those stories as much as I do, then you don't want to miss them! The lovely Tiana Smith shared her story on Monday, which you can read HERE, and the very sweet Gina Denny shared her story on Wednesday which you can read HERE, and J.A. Bellinger will share her story on Friday. So stop on by!
I don't know how anyone with kids has time to write at all, so you should cut yourself some slack. Running that household is beyond a full time job.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Alex. It is, for sure! :)
DeleteDon't know how you do it...I've got two boys and that's plenty for now:) But my wife would agree that I'm definitely the 3rd boy she has to look after;)
ReplyDeleteLol. :)
DeleteSo true. I don't have as many as you, but being a mom is definitely a full-time gig!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely! But totally worth it, right? :)
DeleteI'm in awe of how you do do it (heh!), and also how when you write, you get it done fast. Prolly b/c of all those other 1400 things looming!
ReplyDeleteHaha! Yeah, I have to pump it out fast or else it would never happen! :)
DeleteYou have a full time job dealing with the house, kids and husband and you don't get paid for it! I agree that you need to cut yourself some slack because, at the end of the day, my best friend, who has 3 kids, has a hard time keeping her eyes open. Do what you need to do and don't let guilt guide you.
ReplyDeleteWonderful words of wisdom, Birgit! Thank you! :)
DeleteSAHMs get VERY little credit for what they do. It is like running a business. In fact, I used to work with women who told me working in an office was about 100 times easier than staying home with the kids. I think that's a secret many working moms don't tell you!
ReplyDeleteWish I knew that years ago! Lol. Totally kidding. But I am amazed by women who work full-time AND have children—are there enough hours in the day? Kudos to ALL moms! :)
Delete5 boys... My niece has four brothers, and she's not well pleased with this. Of course you don't have time to crank out a book a month. No one expects you to (I hope!).
ReplyDeleteNope, no one expects me to (just the pressure I put on myself!) Lol. Four brothers, huh? I bet they are VERY protective! Even though I would love to have had a girl, I can't imagine having one now. With five older brothers—they would give her a heck of a time! :)
DeleteYou're CEO of a booming buisness, Kristin! :)
ReplyDeleteI love the How I Got My Agent stories. Very inspirational.
Whoa! I can't imagine what it must be like to juggle all that. I don't even have kids, yet I still struggle to find the time to complete art and such promptly. So yeah, you more than deserve to cut yourself some slack!
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