If you are a mom, you know all too well that personal time is a rare occurrence. I am a stay at home mom of two incredibly intelligent little boys, two and seven years old. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love nothing more than spending time with my kids. Those two boys are my everything. We are always playing, doing science experiments, or just simply running around. As a mom, you do not get a day off, sick days, or vacation time. From the time they wake up until the time they go to bed…I am busy. That is where this post comes in. If you are a mom or not, I hope this is helpful and maybe even brings out a few laughs.

As mom’s, we often put everyone else above ourselves. I do everything for my kids but doing things for myself is difficult. That is part of why I began this blog, I wanted something for me…something I could have as a constant. It just so happened that I made some great friends along the way and met even more amazing people who love books the same way I do. By the time I get both kids in bed, I am tired but have so much to do.

However, I use my time wisely when I find it. Here are a few ways I manage to read more as a full-time mom, blogger, proofreader, etc.

Kids’ Bed Time

 

This is the obvious one, read when the kids are in bed.  This is great if I don’t have a blog post to write, laundry to do, etc. Sometimes I just have too many other things to do such as writing for my blog. A blog takes a lot of time and work, don’t let anyone tell you differently. It is so rewarding though and I would not have it any other way. One of my favorite times to read is when the kids are in bed and I have a nice warm cup of tea while curled up in a blanket, sometimes even a cup of clear or white miso soup, as long as the kids are actually going to bed and not upstairs playing in their room…

 

 

By the way…this is what I imagine my boys do at night when I leave the room. They both instigate one another, causing trouble. Screaming, laughing…kids will be kids I suppose. I can’t wait until we move south and they have their own rooms!

 

Nap time can be included in this. When my older son is at school and my younger son naps, I get two hours to get work done. Most of the time I use that time to work on my blog or get housework done that is calling my name. All the mom’s know that there is a never-ending list of chores to be done. So, most days that time is spent writing on my blog. However, I have started listening to audio books while I do work around the house or work on my blog. This gives me a little extra reading time if I don’t get distracted from the story.

Kids’ Bath Time

 

 

This is a great time to get some reading in. No…I do not leave my children unattended in the bathtub. My older son can fend for himself but I used this as a reading time when he was younger also. So, I get the bath ready, put toys in, get bubbles going, and then my son undressed and in the bath. While he plays, I sit on the floor outside the tub and read. Obviously not right in front of the tub, that is the splash zone. This option is dangerous simply because your dear book could get splashed. I am now reading my new waterproof kindle paperwhite while he is in the bath. That way, my books are safe from possible harm but that is not always the case. I have been splashed on more than one occasion. Sometimes, I find myself reading out loud to him as he plays in the bath, not that at two years old he is understanding, but reading is vital for childhood development. I have a post about that here that I wrote as a guest post on Jenn’s blog. Reading as children is so important!

 

 

 

Car Rides

 

I never enjoyed audiobooks in the past but I decided to give them a try again. Everything deserves a second chance, right?! Everywhere…going to the store, out to eat, to the post office…every chance we get to listen to it, we do. My older son even enjoys listening to them with us now. He gets upset if I listen ahead and he misses something.

As many of you know, now I am running a small family business as well…so…I listen on my 8 minute drive into work. I will be posting more about this soon.

 

Play Time

 

 

I do not ignore my kids, I do interact with them…a lot. But when they start playing together, I let them and I take that chance to read. The boys will be playing with legos so I pick up a book, one of the two I always have around and read a little. This can be difficult, especially with two boys who like to pick on one another. I just multitask, watch them by peeking at them once every minute while I read. I love the summer because we are always outside. It is so easy for me to have the kids play in their sand pile while I watch them and read a book.

Sometimes this does not work because I get interrupted every two minutes. It is as if they have some “mom is reading” alarm that goes off every time I open a book.

 

 

At that point, I put the book down and play with the boys again. Afterall, they are most important.

 

Included in this could be when they watch tv or play their tablets as well. I take advantage of that free time, but that isn’t all day because they can’t sit in front of a screen all day.

While Cooking

 

I used to listen to music while I cooked and sometimes I still do but now I listen to an audiobook as well. Since discovering them, It has allowed me so much more reading time. I also keep my kindle with me in case I am waiting for something to cook. That way, I can sit down and read a chapter or so while I wait for the meal to be done.

In the Shower/Bath

 

 

 

Now, this sounds strange. No…I do not take my waterproof kindle in the shower with me. While I shower, I turn on an audiobook and set my phone on a shelf so that I can listen while I shower. A bath is a different story. As you know, I have hip issues that I had surgery for. On that topic, I get my screws taken out of each him in April! My arthritis is worse in the winter months so I tend to soak in the tub often. While soaking, I always read a book but with the worry that I would drop it or get it wet somehow. Now I don’t have that worry with my waterproof kindle! Honestly, that makes me feel much more at ease.

Bed Time

 

Every night I get into pajamas and crawl under the covers but I do not go to sleepp. No, like many other book lovers I read. I reach over and grab my kindle and read until I fall asleep. This can be a dangerous time to read though, for if you get to a good chapter, you might not want to sleep and that could negatively impact the following day. I know for a fact most book lovers have spent many nights with little sleep because they were absorbed in the story.

Or…my body is so exhausted that I fall asleep with the book on me!!

 

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Well, there you all have it! The ways that I manage to find time to read while juggling my busy life as a mom, blogger, proofreader, reviewer, beta reader…you get the point. I live a busy life but always find a little time to read during the day. I hope that you all enjoyed reading what little ways I manage to enjoy books. What are sometimes you find time to read? I would love to hear about them.