Recently in an interview, I was asked to share what a “regular” day looks like in my home. I can honestly say that I don’t have “regular” days. In fact, I don’t really know if “regular” days actually exist or if they’re a thing of fairy tales! But in answering the question, I had to give a glimpse into my family’s daily life.
Since fall has just started, I decided to give a snapshot of my daily life during the past summer.
Over the summer, family life was as busy as always. At the end of May we took a trip to Kentucky for a family wedding. In June, I (along with my mom and a few of my children) went on a research trip to the Keweenaw Peninsula WAY up in northern Michigan to stay at a lighthouse. In July we visited my 95 year old grandmother in Iowa and also spent time with family in Illinois. And finally at the end of August we traveled up to Sleeping Bear Dunes to hike.
My five children at Sleeping Bear Dunes
What happens when you run top speed down the biggest dune! (My youngest daughter)
In between all of the trips, we packed in lots of daily activities. A typical summer day for me looked like this:
7:45 a.m. Take twin #1 to competitive swim
9:30 a.m. Pick up twin #1 from swimming; take both twins to driver’s ed
11:45 a.m. Take youngest daughter to swimming lessons
12:00 p.m. Pick up twins from driver’s ed
12:45 p.m. Pick up youngest daughter from swimming lessons
3:00 p.m. Take twins to practice driving
5:00 p.m. Pick up twins from driving
5:45 p.m. Drop twin #2 off at friend’s house
6:00 p.m. Take twin #1 to track
6:30 p.m. Take youngest son to basketball
7:00 p.m. Pick up twin #1 from track
8:00 p.m. Pick youngest son up from basketball
8:15 p.m. Pick twin #2 up from friend’s house
Okay, so obviously I didn’t have all those things every day of the summer. But on any given day (add or subtract a few activities) that was my life.
I’m sure you can see a pattern to my days! I spent a LOT Of time driving my kids everywhere.
The fall is shaping up to be almost as hectic as the summer. Between my four younger children I realized that I’ll likely be out every night of the week for: cross country, swimming, ballet, dancing, youth group, piano lessons, children’s choir, book group, basketball, and other activities.
For those who don’t know, I also homeschool my kiddos. That means I spend a great portion of my day teaching. With my large family, laundry is an everyday chore. I also attempt to make home cooked meals for my family that I throw in a lunch time while listening to an audio book with my kids (I’ve become the queen of quick and easy crock-pot meals). And believe it or not, I’ve stayed committed to running which I do 4-5 times per week.
So when do I find time to write and do all the other writerly things that are a part of an author’s job?
That’s the subject for a whole other post! A short summary is that I’ve learned to make efficient use of my time, to multi-task, to wake up early, to stay up late, to work in the car in parking lots, to grab two hours here or one hour there. My husband pitches in so that I can carve out extended time when he’s home. My mom helps too.
The bottom line is that life is full and good. On the days it seems too overwhelming, I remind myself that it won’t be this way forever. I’ve learned to stay calm, enjoy each day, and make the most of every minute.
P.S. This post was written at the park watching my two younger children play as we waited for twin #1’s cross country to finish. 🙂
What about you? Tell us what your summer was like? What trips did you take? And how is your fall shaping up?
Jody Hedlund
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Wow! You are busy. My sister has four kiddos- a pair of identical boys included, so she could relate! My life is not nearly as hectic, but my fall is turning out to be a bit difficult. I’m a stay-at-home mom, but my husband is a teacher. Since he just went back to school, our fifteen-month old is going through some separation anxiety. I can hardly leave the room to go to the bathroom without tears. And leaving him for naps, which was once easy, is now a big scene. I know he really misses his daddy, even if he doesn’t know it! But back to you- I’m definitely in awe of you keeping up with all of your kids as well as writing amazing books besides!
I remember those days of separation anxiety! They’re so difficult! It makes doing everything about ten times harder, doesn’t it? And you never get a break either which is hard! Hang in there. It gets easier, even if it doesn’t get less busy! 🙂
Hi Jody, I enjoyed your blog post so much. Your children sound like busy, well-adjusted children and you, one busy mom! I don’t have children of my own but cherish three little great-nephews. I live quite a distance away but enjoy FB postings and pictures of what they’re doing. I enjoy reading and relaxing in the summer and except for some health issues which involved a short hospital stay, I’ve had a good summer. Blessings to you, Linda
Sorry to hear about your health issues and hospital stay this summer, Linda. But I’m glad you could have a relaxing one with lots of reading! Summer can’t get much better if you have a good book! 🙂
Share some of your favorite crock-pot recipes in an upcoming post, Jody! Cooking crock-pot style really is a help for a busy mom, isn’t it? I’m typically either a) tired or b) driving someone someplace around 5:30 when dinner needs preparing.
Good for you for hanging on to your running schedule! I do gym work-outs or classes or tennis. I try for 4 exercise sessions a week, but sometimes I struggle to fit them all in.
Yes, I’m SO thankful for crockpots, Becky! I’d be lost without mine! Like I said, I usually throw things in the crockpot over lunch hour while I’m listening to a book. Sometimes when we can’t turn of the book (because we’re at a really good part!), I even get a batch of brownies made or something like that! Ha! A post for easy crockpot recipes sounds like a good idea, especially if everyone else shares their favorite/easy recipe in the comments! 🙂
Yes, please! Homeschool, babies, writing. Need easy food ideas. I’m tired of all mine!
Is it terrible my soul sighed in relief to see your day? I’m in a non-stop driving/shuttling/meeting/sports phase too. I have to admit, though, my exercising was the first to go. I did do yoga once this week! 🙂 Thank you for being honest about strategizing and being a mom while writing!
Hi Jill, I’m grateful that at least my oldest son can now drive himself. I bet it won’t be long before your daughter can do some of her driving, right? That might ease up the busyness! I’ll be SO grateful when my twins can start driving next summer. I’m hoping they’ll do some of the taxing of my younger two! 🙂
Goodness, how do you keep track of where you need to go and do? I’d be afraid that I will forget to pick up my kids somewhere one day. I hope you get enough sleep!
LOL! Yes, there have been times when I’ve missed picking someone up or dropping off. Most of the time however, I’m always running late! My husband pitches in when he’s home as well. I just can’t imagine being a single mom and trying to do it all by myself all the time. My hats off to single moms who do it! 🙂
I had to laugh at your take-pick up-take-pick up-take-pick up schedule, Jody! That was my life for almost 20 years! I miss my kids, but I don’t miss my job as chief chauffeur! 😉
Yes, I highly doubt I’m going to miss the chauffeur job once it’s over! LOL But I still have a ways to go since my youngest is just turning nine. All in all, I’ll likely be at the job for a good 20 years too before I can hang up my hat! 🙂
Jody! I take my hat off to you dear lady…. You are truly a very loving and dedicated Mum! 🙂
Just a word of advice ..it doesn’t stop! .The interests change as the kids get older(very enlightening for us) and then when the grandchildren arrive we go back to square one! (Praise God we have that experience up our sleeves!. LOL .) No small wonder when we say, “Now we’re retired, there’s not enough time in the day !” (I’m semi retired)
Guess what? We wouldn’t have it any other way..Love knows no abounds and you do what it takes.We know we are truly Blessed with our lot. Five children and eleven” grandies” and a 97 year old to boot ! (LOL most times ) Love them all!:)
Hi Rosie! Hope you’re feeling better my dear! You have such a full life!! You ARE blessed! I’ve told my kids that some day I hope that I’ll have lots of grandkids and that they’ll all live close to me. I pray that’s true! 🙂
Even as busy as you are, I admire you for realizing that your life is good, Jody! 🙂
As exhausting as all the driving, etc.etc.etc. can be, there will come a day when you’ll actually wish your kiddos
were younger again. But I have to say that children—at ANY age—are a blessing! 🙂
And on the days when I find myself really missing having little ones, I remind myself that (Lord willing) I’ll have
grandkiddos to dote on before too long. 😉
Thank you for sharing this peek at your life—you are amazing!
Hugs, Patti Jo
Jody, thanks for sharing your day with us! It’s an inspiration to me when my life gets crazy. I’m not alone, trying to fit in everything! (and I have no excuse not to take my daily walk, LOL). 😉