How I make time for art as a mom
I recently made a video talking about this subject so if you prefer to listen to it and watch the portrait of my son coming together here it is. It’s more in depth and there’s some story time as well.
I’ve been asked multiple times about how I manage to make art having small children at home so I hope this can help.
The truth is that I truly don’t have much free time to dedicate to whatever I want to begin with. I have two boys, an older child (the one I’m painting in the video) and a toddler and they keep me busy! My oldest already attends school but the little one is with me 24/7 so I have to be very diligent with whatever time I happen to get or I don’t get anything done.
My baby only naps around one hour a day, which is not a lot but it is what it is, so that hour is me time only. This is my advice:
-Use nap time for art and for yourself, not for the next round of laundry.
-Do all chores and obligations while the baby is awake. I highly recommend baby carrying SAFELY and once they are older, just try to make cleaning and cooking fun for them. You can give them a clean extra pot with wooden spoons and whatnot. Mine loved/loves the vacuum cleaner as a walking toy.
-If the baby needs constant contact during naps (and if it’s an option for you), digital painting on an iPad is the easiest way to make art.
-Baby carrying can also extend nap time and give you more painting time.
-Reducing phone use and eliminating social media will free up a lot of time you didn’t know you had. I recommend the book “Digital minimalism” by Cal Newport.
-Breastfeeding time is fantastic for reading books. I love my kindle.
-Long brisk walks with the baby AWAKE in the stroller are a great way to stay active. I’d go for a walk after his nap so he wouldn’t fall asleep during the walk. That way you still get nap time for painting.
-Wake up early and paint/draw/doodle before your baby wakes up. Or after baby goes to bed at night.
-Don’t stress about it and enjoy your baby. More available time for art will eventually come, don’t waste the precious baby stage focusing and what you don’t get to do.
Have a lovely day! ♡
