My best mom moment…
One piece of advice - despite the fact that I have strong opinions, I rarely give advice. I’m a bad advice-giver, but if I could give you a single piece of advice -
READ TO YOUR KIDS. READ WITH YOUR KIDS. INSTILL A LOVE OF READING IN YOUR KIDS. IT’S THE VERY BEST GIFT YOU CAN GIVE THEM - A WORLD OF ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES.
I’ve read a bunch of blogs lately bemoaning the fact that as mothers, we have very little time to write, or if we do make time to write, we feel guilty for not being with our kids. Yup. I have no advice to offer. There is no solution to the conundrum. Every one of us has to figure out for ourselves what works. Some mothers use babysitting coops, grandparents, fathers (yeah, uh-huh, sure), babysitters, daycare, school - a perennial favorite - play dates…you name it, we use it - necessity is the mother of invention - which is why women are so much smarter than men.
From author Hannah Moskowitz on Nathan Bransford‘s site: Professionalism, It’s not What You Think. http://blog.nathanbransford.com/2010/10/professionalism-its-not-what-you-think.html
“This post has nothing to do with writing and absolutely everything to do with being a writer.
The stereotype of a writer-the middle-aged man pounding feverishly at a typewriter, cigarette in his mouth, sending hard-copy manuscripts to his agent and protesting the change of every word-has yet to catch up with the reality of what being a writer entails today.
We are not locked in our attics alone. We are not even the romantic writers of the ’20s, drinking coffee and discussing literature. We are a legion of overworked, underwashed normals, pounding away at our laptops and shooing the kids to the next room.
And more importantly, we are not alone.”
I think I’m in love with Hannah Moskowitz. Her post about the challenges of writing is brilliant! Where was I going with this? Oh yeah, writing and kids. If I can do it, anybody can do it. Sleep suffers. Housecleaning suffers. Big deal. Write and take the time to read to your kids
Heading south Friday to speak to the Yosemite Valley Writers RWA Chapter - cool!
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October 14th, 2010 at 8:33 pm
I think a book club with an older kid is a great idea. THey don’t even have to know that is what it is. Being able to say, DO you think Bella was silly to lose herself to that extent? Or what do you think about Edward and Bella. Is better than DON”T GO NEAR BOYS!!!!!!!!
October 14th, 2010 at 8:54 pm
My sister’s son is 13 and he’s in a book club hosted by the local bookstore. He gets to review YA books - it’s a great idea. Hmmm, if I was discussing Bella and Edward, I would have to say that Bella is very annoying, single-minded, and whiny. And waaaaaay too serious about one boy, super hot immortal vampire or not, at a young age. Marriage? No way!
October 15th, 2010 at 2:33 am
Both my daughters love to read. My son, not to much. When they were young I read to them constantly. They cherished those mommy times when it was just me and one of them reading. I miss them being so young.
I was married to an absent husband. I found if I woke before the house I could get a lot of writing done. I’m still following that rountine almost twenty years later.
Have fun at the workshop…
October 15th, 2010 at 4:42 am
Hi Julia! We have started a new reading hour at my house. Everyone (except the dog) has to read for an hour before bedtime. I read my romance novel, my husband usually reads a geeky anesthesia journal, and my kids have their own books they’re working on. My 13 year old son just finished up Hunger Games and loved it, and my daughter (7 years old) loves books about animals. I love the peace and quiet. Sometimes we all pile into our king sized bed and read together under the blankets!
October 15th, 2010 at 5:15 am
I used to read to my kids all the time, but alas, neither of them grew up to be bibliophiles. DH and I are still shaking our heads about how this happened, but they’re the people they are. One at least reads manga, so that’s something. The other? Well, I still have hopes…
October 15th, 2010 at 6:59 am
I have no kids so nothing to share about that, but I love how you have your priorities straight, Julia!
October 15th, 2010 at 9:17 am
We all read like crazy, but my girls did go through a period when boys were way more important than books!
October 15th, 2010 at 11:37 am
Julia, your advice may be sparse but it’s excellent when you share it.
I love reading to my son at night. Some nights it’s not easy, I’m tired or preoccupied, but I know these days are limited. I’m going to cry the day he doesn’t want me to read to him anymore.
XXOO Kat
October 15th, 2010 at 4:49 pm
Isn’t that just the greatest pleasure, Kat? I miss my kids being little!
October 15th, 2010 at 8:40 pm
As always great blog. You can’t spend too much x reading to the babies. I wish I’d spent more. How did the Chapter speak go?
October 15th, 2010 at 8:48 pm
Tomorrow Sandra - hope it goes well and I don’t make a fool of myself!
Congrats on the release!!!