This week has been full of incredible highs and challenges, not least because in the middle of it all J was taken ill.
He’s fine now – but a 24 hour vomiting bug helped put everything into perspective.
When I first began this journey to become a children’s author, I knew that it was what I should be doing. It’s what truly makes my heart sing. That and of course having enough time to spend with those near and dear to me, in particular my boys, mum and brother.
Staying focused has never been an issue. But combining work with being a mum and the subsequent pull on my time has been an interesting one for me to get my head around. I know that I rarely get enough sleep, and I know it’s my choice but I’d rather spend an extra precious half an hour with J than to get shut eye. It probably explains why when he comes home full of the latest cough or cold from nursery, chances are, within the week, I will have it too.
This week, as I’m sure you’re aware by now, I was featured in the Daily Mirror in a lovely article in the business section of the paper. It helps that I have contacts, having worked in PR for almost a decade. It also helps that I know what journalists are looking for.
And then there was barely time to press boost on a Facebook post about it, before J came home from nursery, white as a sheet. The poor thing was so ill. As with every little cut and bump, it was hard to see, especially as there’s little that can be done except lots of rest and Thomas the Tank Engine, Bob the Builder and a bit of Frozen thrown in for good measure. Yes he probably OD’d on TV for the first couple of days, but he was also cuddled and held close and read as many books as my newly croaky voice would allow me to get through.
Children of course have an amazing ability to bounce straight back. We saw the doctor on Thursday – she was worried. By the same time on Friday morning he went in to see her wearing his Superman mask, singing her songs. “It’s like a completely different child!” she exclaimed. James just smiled and said, “Thank you, doctor.” He never fails to make me smile.
And that was my week gone by in a flash. A great mid-week PR win, followed the next day by former X Factor winner Sam Bailey letting me know that her daughter loves James and the Amazing Gift (this really made me smile so thanks Sam). This was mixed in with a whole heap of mummy cuddles, household chores to clean and wash everything, whilst also juggling the full time day job and my photography business.
The reason for this blog is as follows:
Yes I had plans to get things done – to be able to progress the next book, to write lots for my new book aimed at 9-12 year-old’s, to blog and post a whole heap of other things.
It didn’t happen because life doesn’t always fall into a neat little plan.
And for me, being a mum will always come first. Because let’s face it, without my little inspiration, I doubt I would have been a children’s author in the first place. A writer yes, but not of children’s books.
It’s ok that life is sometimes messy, and as mums it’s not always easy but somehow by maintaining a positive outlook things just get better. I didn’t mind that between Wednesday night and Thursday morning I was woken up at 11pm, 00:30am, and 2:20am and then was up for work at 5am.
In the end I didn’t make it in to the office as he was crying out for me and the sickness was still on-going.
But, and here is the but, it’s ok for us to not be able to achieve everything at once. I did what I could, and juggled lots of proverbial plates with as much of a smile as I could muster. Oh and just for the record – I still didn’t miss a single deadline.
And with that positive mind-set, new and exciting opportunities are starting to come along.
I can’t wait to share everything with you but in the meantime, even if you feel that you’re not getting where you want to be in the time that you have, please know that it’s ok.
All you can do is your best.
Try smiling through it too.
Because let’s face it, if you look for the best in any situation, things can only get better… x
PS Are you struggling to juggle everything, and would like a hand with your PR, copyrighting or blogging for your business? If so, I’d love to hear from you so please CONTACT me here.
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