How I Balance Being a Writer and a Mother

By Gerry Stewart — GUEST COLUMN

I have written and published poems for over twenty years while moving countries three times, setting up my own business as a creative writing tutor, editor and publisher, raising four children and recently becoming single. Each one required an immense amount of work and focus, but the most complicated and difficult to adapt to as an artist was having children.

My children affect everything I do, daily thoughts and actions are often focussed toward their needs, hobbies and education. My life is rarely my own, overwhelmed by the immense mental load that accompanies children even if I stay on top of their physical needs. With the never-ending to-do lists, worries about the future and the choices I make for them, the sleepless nights don’t end when baby sleeps through.

I moved to Finland to raise our kids, allowing my partner to work and advance his career. I gave up a small, but established publishing company and work as a creative writing tutor where arts organisations called me first if they needed someone to run workshops or publish an anthology. It was supposed to be a one-year move, but 9 years down the road, my relationship has failed and I’m starting my career over.

My children also affect my creative life, the time, energy and space I need to write. I don’t…