Why Being a Mother Is Like Being a Writer

There are two things that I throw my entire being into: motherhood and writing. Each is a full-time job and they are constantly warring for my time. But I believe there is a perfect balance possible, and my life’s goal is seeking that. It’s a challenge I take on gladly, as I wouldn’t be happy letting either one slide.

I recently came to the realization that the two jobs are more alike than I’d ever before considered. So, to break away from the norm, today’s thoughts are on that idea. Here’s why being a mother is like being a writer:

• You can plan all you want beforehand, but you will never be fully prepared for the job. When you are smack-dab in the middle of it, that’s when the learning really occurs.
• The jobs both involve headache, heartache, frustration, joy and triumph.
• Like a child, a story can have a mind of its own. Both tend to push one’s set parameters. Sometimes discipline is necessary.
• Sometimes you look at your child and wonder what monster you’ve created; but when all is said and done, you’d never trade your baby for anyone else’s.
• No matter how proud you are of what you’ve created, there is always that nagging fear that once you’ve let your baby grow up and leave home, someone out there won’t give it the love it deserves.
• You have to eventually realize that no one will ever love your child/story as much as you do.
• Sometimes the job is monotonous, but if you are a mother or a writer, you know the real secret that others can’t always see: there are moments when it’s the most exciting thing on the planet.