Balancing Ambition and Family: A Mommy Blogger’s Journey with Delicious Peach Blueberry Pot Pies
This milestone feels like a culmination of years of quiet anticipation and dedicated planning. It’s not the kind of anticipation that brings a sudden burst of excitement, but rather a profound sense of having worked towards something significant, knowing it was on the horizon and preparing for its arrival. For me, it signifies a new chapter where my professional aspirations as a blogger and my heartfelt commitment to my family can harmoniously coexist.
Seven years ago, when I was expecting my first child, the path ahead was unclear. I grappled with the universal dilemma many new mothers face: would I embrace the role of a stay-at-home mom, or would I return to my career as an architectural designer? Fortunately, my understanding boss at a small firm offered me invaluable, albeit unpaid, time to navigate this decision. The moment my son was born, my heart knew. Staying home, at least for his formative years, was the undeniable choice.
However, life has its unpredictable twists. During those initial years of nurturing my children, the architectural industry faced a significant downturn. When I felt ready to re-enter the workforce, my previous position was no longer available. This unexpected challenge became a catalyst. The idea of working from home, allowing me the flexibility to be present for my family, became increasingly appealing. And so, three years ago, with my oldest at four and my youngest at two, I embarked on the adventure of blogging.
Building a Dream, One Post at a Time
My blogging journey began tentatively, a slow and steady learning curve. I admit, I started with very little clue about the intricate world of online content creation. Yet, a clear vision guided me: by the time both my children were in full-day school, I wanted my blog to be a thriving, well-oiled machine. While I’m certainly not claiming to have all the answers or to be a blogging superstar, I’ve made significant progress. Picking up from my previous post where I discussed the challenges of the back-to-school transition and finding equilibrium between my blogging career and home life, I’m excited to share the daily routine I’ve meticulously crafted. It’s a schedule I genuinely hope will enable me to juggle all my responsibilities effectively, while preserving the precious shreds of sanity I’ve managed to cling to after 7.5 years of being a dedicated stay-at-home and work-at-home mom.
I know I’m always incredibly curious about how other working mothers manage to do it all, especially those in the blogging world. If peeking into my structured day doesn’t pique your interest, feel free to scroll directly to the bottom of this post. There, you’ll discover the recipe for these truly delicious, refreshingly simple, and perfectly seasonal peach blueberry pot pies. They offer a delightful alternative to a full-sized pie, making it much easier to enjoy the vibrant flavors of summer fruits before they disappear with the changing seasons. Savor every bite while you still can!
A Day in the Life: Structuring Productivity and Presence
With both my boys now attending full-day school, my primary goal is to structure my day to be fully present and available for them during the precious, limited hours they are home. This means dedicating early mornings and late afternoons into the evening entirely to family. My second grader catches the bus just after 8 AM, and my husband then takes our kindergartner to his supplemental, transitional kindergarten program (a necessity, as our school district sadly lacks full-day kindergarten) on his way to work. Here’s a detailed look at how my days typically unfold:
7:15 am: Morning Rituals & Family Fuel
My alarm signals the start of the day. I rise, savoring my first sips of coffee – a small, quiet moment of calm before the bustling morning begins. My focus then shifts to preparing breakfast for the kids and packing their lunches. This hour also involves a significant amount of gentle prodding and reminding: encouraging them to get dressed, eat their breakfast, and brush their teeth. It’s a dance of routine and gentle persuasion, laying the groundwork for a smooth start to their day and mine.
8:00 am: Digital Engagement & Content Curation
Once the boys are off to school, my dedicated work block begins. I settle down to dive into the world of blogging and meticulously schedule my social media posts. I find mornings to be the most opportune time for this, as the digital content is fresh, and my mind is clear. My strategy includes sharing a curated selection of 4-6 tweets featuring other bloggers’ valuable content, crafting 3-4 engaging Facebook posts, and scheduling numerous pins via tools like ViralTag to hit peak engagement hours every five minutes. I also allocate a little time to Google+ (if still relevant, or other platform like Instagram/TikTok now). I use Feedly to efficiently scroll through my subscribed blogs, opening new tabs for content I wish to share or comment on. I then systematically work through each tab. This comprehensive process, including answering emails and managing my content calendar, typically takes about two hours, ensuring my online presence is consistent and impactful.
10:00 am: Wellness Break & Home Tidying
My body often craves a nourishing boost by mid-morning, and I’m a big fan of smoothies. Lately, I’ve been incorporating dates and oats for natural sweetness and added fiber. To ensure a silky-smooth blend, I soak them in a little water for about an hour before blending. While they soak, I head upstairs for a quick workout. My elliptical is my go-to, and I spend about 20 minutes on it, catching up on a favorite podcast or audiobook. Post-workout, I enjoy my refreshing smoothie and tackle some light household chores – making the beds, starting a load of laundry, a quick tidy-up, and cleaning a bathroom or two. It’s about maintaining a comfortable and functional living space, not striving for perfection.
10:45 am: Preparing for the Day (and Myself)
Next on the agenda is getting cleaned up and looking presentable. During the week, my makeup routine is minimal: SPF (a definite must for my pale, freckled skin), CC cream, concealer, and a focus on brows and lashes. I firmly believe that taking these few minutes to look and feel your best significantly contributes to a more productive and positive mindset throughout the day. It’s a small investment in self-care that pays dividends in confidence.
11:15 am: Creative Flow: Content Writing
With my morning tasks complete and feeling refreshed, I head into my office to dedicate time to writing a new blog post. This is where creative ideas take shape and narratives are crafted. If the accompanying photographs are already edited and uploaded, I’ll also use this time to schedule the post to go live, along with its corresponding Facebook announcement and promotional tweets. For my own content promotion, I rely on Hootsuite for scheduling tweets, while Buffer handles the rest of my general social media scheduling.
12:10 pm: School Run & Quick Errands
As noon approaches, it’s time to transition again. I head out to the preschool to pick up my younger son and then take him to kindergarten. If I manage to finish my writing a little ahead of schedule, I’ll often squeeze in a quick errand on the way, perhaps picking up a few groceries or grabbing a light lunch. Efficiency is key when every minute counts in a busy mom’s day.
1:00 pm: Culinary Creations & Recipe Development
Back home after the school run, it’s prime time for baking and recipe development. This is one of my favorite parts of the day, a true blend of creativity and culinary exploration. I have a small notebook by my side, meticulously jotting down notes, making adjustments, and documenting every step as I test new recipes. The entire process – from baking and note-taking to the inevitable mountain of dishwashing – usually occupies me until approximately 3:30 PM.
3:30 pm: After-School Prep & Welcoming Committee
As the clock nears 3:30 PM, my attention shifts back to my children. It’s time to start preparing their after-school snack or light meal. Shortly after, I head out to the bus stop, eager to greet them and ensure they arrive home safely, ready for an afternoon of decompression and activity.
3:45 pm: Focused Family Time & Homework Help
From this point onward, my priority is wholeheartedly on my children. This involves feeding them, engaging in conversations about their day at school, reviewing any important school paperwork, and guiding them through their homework assignments. It’s a period of active listening, support, and reconnection after their time away.
4:45 pm: Capturing Culinary Art & Digital Check-ins
By now, the kids are usually settled, perhaps engrossed in play or watching a cartoon. This brief window of calm allows me to “steal” a few minutes to capture some food photographs, and if time permits, even begin the initial photo editing. It’s also a convenient time to quickly check my emails again, addressing anything urgent that might have come in during my family-focused hours.
5:30 pm: Evening Decisions & Family Logistics
My husband typically arrives home around this time, and the evening takes one of three directions: a) he has a dinner plan in mind, allowing me to continue working if needed; b) we have an external commitment, such as a baseball game or practice, requiring us to shuttle the kids; or c) I begin preparing dinner for the family. Flexibility is paramount in these evening hours.
6:15 pm: Shared Meals & Family Connection
Most evenings, we gather around the table for a family meal. My older son reliably joins us, though we’re still working on encouraging our younger one to consistently participate. Often, he prefers to be in the kitchen with us, unable to sit still at the table or unwilling to eat the meal we’ve prepared. It’s a work in progress, but the shared presence is what truly matters.
7:30 pm: Evening Wind-Down & Bedtime Routine
After I’ve tackled all the dinner dishes and given the kitchen a thorough scrub, we all head upstairs to commence the bedtime routine. This structured sequence involves bath time for the kids, laying out their clothes for the next day, getting into pajamas (yes, I change into mine too!), and brushing teeth. It’s a predictable pattern that signals the end of the day and prepares everyone for rest.
8:15 pm: Storytime & Digital Reading
Once settled, I read to my children from my iPad. I’ve grown to appreciate e-books immensely; they not only reduce expenses and clutter but also offer the unique advantage of reading to them even with the lights out, creating a cozy and intimate reading experience.
9:30 pm: Winding Down & Night Owl Tasks
By this time, my boys are typically asleep. I then retrieve my laptop, settle comfortably on my bed, and perform a final check of emails. This period is usually dedicated to lighter tasks: more reading, scheduling social media for the upcoming days, or seeking inspiration for future recipes. I intentionally keep this work less intense to allow myself to unwind. My husband is often beside me, and we might catch up on a show together, sharing our thoughts and simply enjoying each other’s company. We’re usually both sound asleep by 11:30 PM, only for the entire routine to begin anew the following day!
Reflections on Routine and the Path Forward
I genuinely hope this detailed glimpse into my daily workflow wasn’t too tedious! As I mentioned, I’m always fascinated by how others manage to juggle their many responsibilities, so I thought you might appreciate a little peek into my world. I’ve been adhering to this specific schedule for a couple of weeks now, and I’m quite pleased with its effectiveness. I anticipate a slight adjustment after Daylight Savings ends, likely swapping my baking and photography time slots to accommodate natural light, but beyond that, I’m optimistic that this routine will serve me well throughout the school year and possibly even beyond. I want to extend a special thank you to my dear friend Vijay, who blogs at Nosh On It. He was instrumental in introducing me to Feedly and Buffer, tools that have truly helped me streamline my content curation and social media management. Thanks to this structured schedule, my Fridays have become wonderfully open. I’ve been able to enjoy some much-needed personal downtime each week. While Saturdays are invariably packed with family activities and Sundays often involve a head start on my work week, I truly cherish having the freedom to run errands or simply relax on that one dedicated day every week.
Are you currently balancing multiple roles or jobs? What are some of the key strategies or tools that have helped you effectively manage all your responsibilities and find a sense of balance in your own busy life? I’d love to hear your insights!
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Peach Blueberry Pot Pies
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Ingredients
- 2 fresh peaches
- 1 1/2 cups (222 g) fresh blueberries
- 1/2 cup (118.29 ml) water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, (juice of half a lemon)
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1/2 batch Simply Perfect Pie Crust
- 1 egg, (large)
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 2 tablespoons coarse sanding sugar,, for garnish
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
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Peel and pit the peaches, and cut them into ½-inch chunks. Place them in a large bowl along with the blueberries, water, cornstarch, vanilla extract, salt, and lemon juice. Toss to coat.
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Tip the fruit mixture into heat safe bowls and dot with butter.
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Roll out the pie dough to a thickness of ⅛-inch. Top the bowls with circles of dough, and cut a few vents to allow the steam to escape.
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Place the egg and milk in a small bowl and beat together with a fork until combined. Brush over the pie crust and sprinkle with coarse sugar for garnish.
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Bake for 30-45 minutes, or until the fruit is softened and the pie crust is golden brown. Serve warm.