WishMamas: On Creative Work and Motherhood
From the lovely blog WishStudio, a post on creative work and motherhood by writer and storyteller Jen Lee. Here’s an excerpt:
There are greater demands on me as a parent than there were before–physically and mentally. I have so much less solitude and silence, and that has chafed at times. I find ways to build-in solitude, for my mental health as much as for my work. When my husband worked in an office, this meant that I left every Thursday night to go to the Chocolate Room. I could write, or read, or just stare at the wall–whatever I needed. Best of all, I could watch the humanity all around me without distractions and interruptions. Sundays were my day off. Still, I take Sundays to go on artist dates, go to yoga class, eat a meal alone, and then when I come home at dinner, I’m happy to see my children and ready to dive into another week.
Lots more in this post — read it here. You’ll definitely want to add WishStudio to your regular blog reading list.
Studio Mothers: Life & Art 
‘Now my creative work and my mothering are intertwined like a double helix.’
spot on. also
‘I have so much less solitude and silence, and that has chafed at times’
now, with the boys out of town for a month, i have a lot more quiet, but i am floating in the ether rather than really creating anything productive. granted, c is still all toddler all over me all day, but, i don’t know. i miss them, i miss the challenge of writing with all the noise of boys fighting real and pretend battles, all the ‘mom-mom-moms, all the catch as catch can moments when something they are doing lights me up with inspiration.
Sometimes I see artist friends (without kidlets) admire me. They see it as a huge responsibilty and their imagination just about scrape the surface of what’s involved and they know really it’s about being selfless…
Then for a moment, I’m admiring the many hours they have available and the freeness of their lives.
However… I’m proud I’m juggling and barely managing. Each child has their own dynamics in the household, combined with the daily life challenges makes for an amazing chapter at this point of my life. I wonder if I’m accomplishing more due to the children…I think I’ve just become more brave somehow.
They make me laugh and yet other days wonder why I have a role as referree. I know the day really doesn’t belong to me alone. (..for now.)
This might sound odd, but have you ever visit an elderly care facility? These people had lives that were once too filled with their young children. We have the best moments right now, we are free to do as we wish and being very fulfilling too.
O.K My real issue …Sometimes I need someone to come up with “SuperHuman Energy” suppliment.