A Day in my life: Balancing Motherhood, University, and Blogging
Hey there! Today, I thought I’d take you behind the scenes of what a typical day looks like for me as a mom to a very active 2-year-old, a part-time university student, and a blogger. It’s a busy life, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. If you’re curious about how I manage to balance it all (most days), read on!
7 AM: Rise and Shine (Sort Of)
The day starts early around here. My 2-year-old is an early riser, so by 7 AM, I’m up and ready for the day. Well, maybe not “ready,” but I’ve got a toddler tugging at the covers, so there’s no time to waste! We start with a quick morning cuddle, then it’s off to the kitchen.
Breakfast Routine: While I prep something simple for my little one (usually Weetabix with mashed bananas or scrambled eggs and toast), I’ll quickly down a glass of water to get myself hydrated. I’ve learned the hard way that skipping breakfast isn’t an option when you’ve got a full day ahead, so I’ll usually grab a quick omlette wrap or some overnight oats I prepped the night before along with some much-needed coffee.
9:00 AM: Playtime and Chores
After breakfast, it’s playtime for my toddler. We usually go outside if the weather’s nice—toddlers have boundless energy, and letting him run around in the town or at the park helps burn some of it off. If we are not outside I use this time to clean around the house or do some laundry.
"Cleaning Strategy": I’ve learned to clean in small bursts. Instead of waiting for “free time” to get things done (spoiler: there’s never enough free time), I tackle one or two chores during toddler playtime. It’s less overwhelming, and over the day, things get done.
11 AM: University Lectures (with Toddler Interruptions)
By 11 AM, I’ve settled my toddler with some toys or a favorite show, and it’s time for me to attend my university lectures from home. Studying with a 2-year-old around isn’t always easy, but I’ve found ways to make it work. I keep my study materials organized, so I can jump right into my lecture or coursework during any downtime.
"Tip for Studying at Home": I break up my study sessions into smaller chunks. If my toddler is happy playing independently, I can focus for 45-60 minutes at a time. When he needs more attention, I pause the lecture and revisit it during his nap or quiet time.
12:30 PM: Lunch and Reset
Once the lecture wraps up (sometimes its an hour or maybe 2), it’s lunchtime. I usually whip up something simple but nutritious for both of us—lately, I’ve been doing quick veggie stir-fries or pitta bread with veg filling with a side of fruit for my toddler.
After lunch, I try to fit in a quick clean-up (again, those small bursts) while my little one plays. This way, the kitchen stays manageable, and I don’t end up with a huge mess at the end of the day.
1:30 PM: Nap Time = Blog Time
One of my most productive times of the day is during my toddler’s nap, which if I may say is rare nowadays. As soon as he’s down, I dive into blog writing. This is my creative time—I usually have my content planned out in advance, so I know exactly what I’m writing. Whether it’s drafting a new post or editing photos, I try to make the most of this quiet time.
"Blogging Tip": Having an editorial calendar has been a game-changer. Knowing what topics I’ll cover ahead of time makes it easier to jump right into writing when I have time. I also draft ideas throughout the week, so I’m never starting from scratch when I sit down to write.
3:00 PM: Toddler Time (and Snack Time)
After nap time, it’s back to focusing on my toddler. We usually have a snack—something simple like yogurt with fruit or whole-grain roti/tortilla with cheese. Then, we either do some quiet activities like reading or catch up on calls to Grandma.
This is also when I try to involve him in small tasks like tidying up his toys or helping me sort laundry. At 2 years old, he loves "helping," even if it means creating a bit more work for me.
5:30 PM: Dinner Prep
As the day winds down, it’s time to start prepping dinner. I like to keep things simple but balanced—lots of veggies, lean proteins, and whole grains. Sometimes, I batch-cook on weekends or simply marinate the meat to make weekday dinners quicker, but tonight, it’s air-fried chicken and broccoli with rice and dal. While I cook, my toddler usually runs around, sometimes "helping" by handing me spoons or pretending to cook with his toy set.
"Dinner Hack": I try to cook a little extra so I can have that for my lunch the next day.
7:30-8 PM: Wind Down and Bedtime
After dinner, it’s clean-up time (again!). I’ll get the dishes done while my partner gives our little one a bath or we all wind down with some storytime together. We try to keep bedtime routines consistent—bath, stories, then bed by 7:30 or 8:00 PM.
8:30 PM: Evening “Me Time"
Once my toddler is asleep, I finally have a bit of “me time.” This is when I’ll either finish up any blog writing, catch up on university reading, or just relax with a cup of tea. Some nights, I’ll watch a show or scroll through Instagram, but I try to wind down screen time before bed.
If there’s anything left from my to-do list for the day, I’ll quickly knock it out, but I also make sure to take time to recharge. Balancing all these roles can be exhausting, and I’ve learned the importance of taking a break.
---
Final Thoughts: Embracing the Chaos
Every day is different, and sometimes things don’t go as smoothly as I’d like. There are days when the laundry piles up or my blog post doesn’t get finished, but I’ve learned to be flexible. My biggest takeaway from balancing life with a toddler, university, and blogging is that it’s okay if things aren’t perfect. What matters is doing your best and taking care of yourself in the process.
If you’re in a similar situation—juggling multiple roles—I hope this gives you some encouragement! We’re all doing our best, and that’s more than enough.
Until next time,
Jewel.
