First of all, to all women out there, a very happy International Women’s Day to you all! I hope you have a wonderful day ♡
To all the full-time mothers and book lovers out there, I see you! Balancing motherhood and keeping up with a book blog is no small feat. So, I thought I’d share how I, as a new mom, manage to read, review, and post—while also keeping a tiny human alive.
Let’s be honest: running a blog, staying on top of trends, and creating content feels like a full-time job in itself. And when you add a baby to the mix? Suddenly, free time becomes a rare and precious resource (kind of like matching baby socks—where do they all go?).
Oh, and let’s not even talk about choosing a photo for a blog post. That’s an entirely different struggle for another day…
But back to the real question: how do I find time to read?
MAKING TIME FOR READING:
Here’s the truth: there is no perfect schedule for reading as a new mom. The only rule? You read whenever the baby lets you!
So, what works for me? Here’s my survival guide for you.
1. Reading During Playtime
My baby is five months old now, and one of my favourite ways to sneak in some reading is placing her on the play mat next to me. While she’s busy grabbing toys, drooling on everything, or staring at the ceiling like it holds the secrets of the universe, I steal a few pages, sometimes even a few words, but it is still something!
Of course, this doesn’t always go smoothly. Some days, she’s content, and I get through an entire chapter. Other days, she insists on being held right now, immediately, no questions asked. Which leads to…
2. Mastering the One-Handed Read
Holding a baby in one arm while trying to read from a phone or an e-reader? It’s basically an Olympic sport. Believe me when I say I’ve learned to balance holding both my baby and the phone or the e-reader, and occasionally dodge tiny, grabby hands that want to eat whatever is in my possession!
This method is great in theory, but sometimes my baby wins, and I end up with drool-covered phone/cheeks/clothes. Occupational hazard of reading around infants that is!
3. Naptime = Precious Reading Time
When the baby naps, I have a few options:
- Catch up on housework.
- Get me some much-needed sleep
- Finally, finish that cup of already frozen coffee or
- Ignore everything else, and read. Which is mainly what ends up happening anyway…
Of course, this only works when naptime actually lasts longer than five minutes. But on a good day? It feels like I can read every book on my TBR, and there are a lot of books!
5. Bedtime Reading… If I Stay Awake
I used to read for hours before bed. Now? I get a few pages in before my eyes start closing. It’s not much, but it’s something! The key is knowing you’ve requested a bunch of ARCs coming out the same month, and you are pressed to read and review them! That sure keeps me from sleeping and motivates me to read, haha. Don’t mind me, I love it; I’m not complaining!
HOW I MANAGE REVIEWS AND BLOG POSTS:
Reading is one thing, but finding time to write reviews and blog posts? That’s another challenge entirely.
1. Taking Notes on My Phone
Since I rarely have time to sit and write a full review in one go, I jot down quick thoughts on my phone while feeding the baby or waiting for her to wake up. Later, when I actually sit down to write, I have something to work with.
2. Writing in Short Bursts
I write in small bursts—sometimes just a few sentences at a time. It might take longer, but progress is progress!
3. Lowering My Expectations (And That’s Okay!)
Before becoming a mom, I used to stress over posting consistently. Now? I remind myself that it’s okay if I don’t post every week. Some months, I’ll have multiple posts. Other months? Just one (or none). And that’s fine!
Motherhood is a lot. And if my blog takes a backseat now and then, it doesn’t mean I’m failing—it just means I’m prioritizing my little one.
4. Scheduled posts
do help me a lot, and I try to do as many of them as possible and then simply interact with you lovely people. I love checking other blogs, too, and whenever possible, leave a comment and see what you all have been up to 🙂
EMBRACE THE CHAOS AND THAT COLD COFFEE:
Balancing books, blogging, and baby life is messy, unpredictable, and often exhausting. Some days, I feel like I have it all together. Other days? I’m just proud I remembered to eat lunch or drink that coffee that I made ages ago.
But at the end of the day, I love both reading and being a mom—so I make it work, one page at a time.
To all the book-loving moms out there: you’re doing amazing. Whether you’re reading 10 books a month or struggling to finish one, it’s okay. You’re still a reader, and you’re still a great mom.
And if all else fails? It’s never too late to try audiobooks! 🙂
How do you manage being a mom and a blogger? Let me know what your survival guide includes and if it’s anything like mine!
Lin's Perspective 
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