Let me start by saying that keeping things organized is NOT my superpower. Time saving as a mother can be so tricky. I remember sobbing to Dan when I was pregnant with Van:
“I can hardly get myself out of the door in the morning…how am I going to do this with a baby??“
I’m not the mom that has her diaper bag packed and ready at all times. Not to mention, I’m certainly not the mom that is cool, calm, and collected heading out the door in the morning. Typically, I’m the mom that is hanging by a thread. Hoping that Dre’s milk is in the cooler. That Van’s cherished elephant made it into the half-zipped canvas bag that just got caught on the door handle and almost made me trip down my front porch.
So, when we decided that this year, what would be best for our family and my business, would be to spend two months in Michigan, then, two months in Seattle, rinse & repeat… I 100% panicked. Well, I believe my exact words were:
“That sounds like a logistical clusterf*ck.“
I won’t lie, it is. But, we absolutely make it work and somehow actually thrive in doing it. That’s not to say that I haven’t had some serious failures along the way. I mean some serious meltdowns (I’m not talking about the kids). There have been a lot of them. In the end, I chalk those times up to learning experiences and it makes the systems I have created even stronger and more efficient — because I’m not about to repeat the mistakes I have made!
For my business logistics, if a client in Seattle wants to book a photoshoot and I will be in Michigan for a while, I give them the option to book with my amazing associate photographer. (who I have taught to shoot like me and then I do the editing) Or, they can hold off until I get back. Sometimes they book with her. Sometimes they wait for me. Then, for marketing, I do it in both places. I’m part of networking groups in both places. I make social media posts about both places…I basically do everything twice.
As for the boys…
We have really lucked out this year with caregivers who are willing to let us come and go without losing our spots. (you can read some tips about finding great childcare HERE) I know this won’t last forever, but it is working for us this year.
People often ask us what we will do when the boys start school. My answer is that we aren’t there yet. Ask me when it gets closer. haha.
So, as you can imagine, with a baby, a toddler, two photography studios in two states, going back and forth across the country and packing up my family every two months, managing the Sue Bryce Education Facebook group, and personal fun time, things can get pretty hectic.
In my constant quest to NOT be busy all the time, I have found some really great time saving tools to help make the logistics of it all a little bit easier.
There are 5 time saving tools/apps that I absolutely love and use all the time! I created the list and descriptions, plus how they help to save me time and put it all in one free pdf for you to download. (I’m not affiliated with any of them, by the way). Enjoy!
DOWNLOAD YOUR COPY OF 5 TIMESAVING APPS & TOOLS HERE!
I hope this helps you to free up a little more time in your own life as you balance it all!
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NIKKI,
I am well beyond child bearing years but I did have 4 children (includes a set of twins) resulting in 3 in diapers at one time. I now have 23 grandchildren. Many of them are great grandchildren. A new one is on the way this October. I love what you are doing. Juggling children and a full time job can be very difficult but I think my children became more resilient and able to take care of their own needs in the process. The boys learned to dottier own ironing, make their beds and all were able to cook a one pot meal with a pound of ground beef and some canned vegetables and beans when I had to work late. They still continue to do these things for their wives and family and now they are in their 50’s. I was a single Mom and I sure needed their help. We were like a bunch of kids growing up together. By the way after 3 boys I finally got my lovely Ellen Marie. She is my best friend.
Wow, 23 grandchildren! Sounds like you have an incredible family. And how wonderful that you taught them so much!! Thank you for sharing this. It makes me so happy to know that they truly do take it all in.