Example of Our Routine:
8:00 AM: Rise and Shine!
Yeah, not so much, I am NOT a morning person. My day begins, usually with a tap on the arm "mummy wake up". I normally take a good 15-20 minutes to properly wake up, and it normally starts with cuddles and checking my blood sugar levels. We then get dressed and head downstairs for breakfast, my go-to is granola or an omelet.
9:00 AM: Toddler Time
Before starting work or housework, I try and spend some quality time with my little girl. Maybe even a little Bluey. I find Amber is much happier if we start the day like this as it sets a positive tone for the day and makes her feel loved and cared for.
10:00 AM: Work Mode
With Amber now happy to entertain herself for a little bit, I can normally switch into work mode. This is when I respond to client emails, research travel options, and update my website or social media. Being organised is definitely the key, as I try to balance the needs of my clients with the demands of parenting.
12:00 PM: Lunchtime
I always try to get out for some fresh air just before lunch, unless it is chucking it down with rain, and we normally walk up the road so Amber can play at our local park for a bit. I always take dextrose with me on a walk and lower my background dose in case of hypos.
When we get back we normally have a sandwich or pasta as these are Amber’s favourite’s. I have to carefully count carbs to manage my diabetes effectively. I also have to take into account the exercise I have just done to make sure my levels don’t drop too low. I don’t skip the carbs as these are crucial to maintain my energy levels for the rest of the day.
2:00 PM: Afternoon Playtime
Amber again normally wants my attention, however, we normally have calm down time so we often read stories together, or do some creative activities, like colouring, painting or playing with play-doh. I love spending time with Amber and I’m glad I have a job that allows me to be so flexible and spend days like these with her.
3:00 PM: Housework
Amber is a great little helper, I can often get a load of washing in the washing machine done with her help, she also loves helping to do the dusting, vacuuming and washing up!
5:00 PM: Evening
I prioritise family meals and make sure we always eat together round our dinning room table, my husband is the cook so he will often come home from work and prepare dinner, Amber loves to help and I find it’s a great opportunity to all be together and discuss our day. Again I check my blood sugar and take insulin 10 minutes before I eat.
7:00 PM: Toddler's Bedtime
Amber’s bedtime routine begins, and I normally take a few minutes to recharge, whilst Peter gives her bath, helps her clean her teeth and get in her pyjamas. Then she’ll have some bedtime stories and a bottle of milk before she falls asleep. It’s taken us a few rough months to finally find a good routine that works to help her fall to sleep.
8:30 PM: Wrapping Up Work
Now both Peter and I have a few more hours, we will often finish up work tasks, plan for the next day, and check emails one last time. This quiet time is brilliant for uninterrupted productivity. We also then have time we like to spend together watching a film or playing a board game before we go to sleep too. I will check my blood sugar levels before bed too, just in case I need a snack before bed to stop them dropping too low in the middle of the night.
Weekends are when we go on mini adventures or day trips as a family and try to go at a slower pace to soak it all in and enjoy the moments we have with Amber while she is still little. You can find some of our favourite adventures in some of my other blog posts.
Balancing the responsibilities of being an independent travel agent, parenting a toddler, and managing Type 1 diabetes is challenging. With a little planning, time management, and a supportive husband, I find I can usually manage everything successfully! Each day I succeed proves that it is possible to have a career, be a loving parent, and manage my health effectively.
If you are struggling with either the demands of work, motherhood, a chronic illness or all of the above. Keep going, it is hard but you're doing an amazing job!
I hope you enjoy my travel blog as much as I enjoy writing it!
Don't forget to follow me on Instagram @ablondesadventures to see where I end up next...