Last week I wrote about some ideas to help writer moms get more writing done this summer. I test drove those ideas this week and here is what happened.
1. Outside Activities.
We’ve been to the pool every day this week for swim lessons and waterslide fun afterwards. I need to find a waterproof pedometer to attach to my kids to find out just how far they are walking going up those steps again and again and again for the waterslide. (When I was growing up we had a single aluminum straight-shot slide into ice cold water. Ah, the memories.)
Benefits: they have fun and are wiped out at the end of the day. Me? I’ve been getting caught up on some poolside reading. So far, The Lively Art of Writing, and Inbound Marketing.
Throw in a few play dates so they get more social interaction, and they’ve had a good week. They play with a friend; I work on the computer, taking breaks to toss them some food and make sure no one is hurt. Win-win.
2. Writing tools ready to go.
Slacked off here. Need to put my tote bag together. So far I’ve just kept a book in the car.
3. Independent Home Activities.
Haha. Here’s a double-edged sword: a book on magic tricks. Keeps the kids occupied while they look for a good trick, practice a good trick. But then they need an audience to show off the good trick. Plan B anyone?
Actually, point #3 works really well in conjunction with point #4
4. Interrupt Cards
Love, love, love this idea. The kids felt differently but they caught on quick.
I printed off two different sets of cards so everyone would know whose card was whose. I explained that I was going to be working on the computer and if they needed to talk to me in any way they had to give up a card. They had three cards to last the entire day. I would be taking breaks at the top of the hour and they could get in a free talk-time then. Any leftover cards would receive a little prize. Son wanted money.
Son: with goofy grin, immediately makes a joke about interrupting me. Loses a card. Is shocked.
Daughter: after twenty minutes needs a LEGO toy from the garage. Uses a card.
Son: sees opportunity and tries to piggy-back off sister’s card. Loses his second. Eyes wide, he gets busy doing his own thing. Then later, he tries to convince little sister to use one of her cards for him.
Daughter: wise to her brother, she refuses; instead, happily reads a book beside mom and plays with the LEGO blocks.
Mom: gets a good chunk of research and editing done. Satisfying experience.
Son: at some point tapes note to the door: We want 5 interupting cards now! (see above photo)
Mom: Smiles when she finds note. Son didn’t interrupt. Success.
5. Blow everything and go for ice cream.
Have not had to do this yet. Considering #5 to be the ace up my sleeve.
Overall, this summer is looking up to be The Summer of Great Writing. How about you? Opening up the comments for some successful writing moments…
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I don’t have little kids. I have teenage step-kids however. They will soon be out of school and believe that I’m a concierge/chauffer when I’m home. I will have to disabuse them of this idea. I like the interuption cards a great deal. Perhaps mine will be Drive Cards – and they’ll each get …hmmm…say five a week. Their Dad or Ma can do the rest.
Giving up and going for ice cream will be giving up and going to the lake for a swim. Unfortunately the kids won’t come with me because it isn’t cool. But my dog will. I wonder if my dog would like interuption cards. I doubt it!
Looks like you’re doing swell – good on ya!
That made me laugh! Particularly son’s sign! LOL! My successful writing moment this week – Doug brought homework with him when he came to visit us for 2 weeks. When I had to finish writing my last paper, he worked on his homework too. No guilt, and both of us got ahead!
A window into a child house world. Wow. I only had one and wasn’t writing while he was growing up. Good ideas. Love the Interrupt Cards. Your key was to enforce and it sounds like you did! Yay, writer mom!
So far it sounds like you’re having great success! I laughed out loud at your son’s sign. He sounds like quite a card himself … little negotiator!
Sounds great. Almost makes me wish for those days again so I could try out the interrupt cards. . . . Almost.
I loved the window into your son’s thinking and behaving process. It was so familiar. LOL
I love the interrupt cards! I tried putting a cardboard placard that read “Shhh, mom’s thinking” (if they didn’t see me typing they assumed I was done, so had to go with thinking). I left a note pad on the table in front of me so they could write down pressing questions and I would answer when I had a good breaking point.
Seems like a great idea, except the younger ones, would yell to each other (while one was standing next to me) “YES! She’s still thinking!” The teen went and got a posterboard. Wrote “STOMP, STOMP, STOMP. YELL, YELL, YELL.” And held it up in front of me. I may have more success with the interrupt cards, I’m off to make them now. Great tip on not allowing them to piggy-back off each other.
I don’t have my own children, but I do have five nieces and nephews with another on the way. That card idea is terrific! I’m tucking it away for future reference.
Happy writing this summer!!!
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