A Day in the Life of an Expat Writer and Mom: Chaos, Creativity, and Coffee

Hey there, lovely readers!

Ever wondered what a day in the life of an expat writer and mom looks like? Well, buckle up, because it’s a rollercoaster of diapers, deadlines, daycare runs, and—of course—oodles of coffee. If you’ve ever tried to balance a creative career with parenthood (while living in a foreign country, no less!), you’ll totally get it. So, here’s how a typical day goes down in my crazy but wonderful world.

Early Morning: The Circus Begins

The day kicks off at the crack of dawn, whether I’m ready for it or not (spoiler: I’m never ready). My little one is up with the birds, and that means it’s time for me to spring into action. First task of the day? Changing diapers—because nothing says “Good morning!” like a diaper change, right?

While I’m wrangling breakfast (think toast, fruit, and whatever else my toddler decides not to throw on the floor), my husband’s on dog-walking duty. We’ve got this down to a science. It’s like a well-oiled machine—if that machine was occasionally powered by toddler tantrums and coffee spills.

Mid-Morning: Playtime Shenanigans and Lunch

With breakfast done and dusted (or smeared across the table), it’s time for some playtime. Whether we’re building blocks, reading the same book for the hundredth time, or having a mini dance-off in the living room, it’s all about keeping the little one entertained. And let’s be real—sometimes I enjoy those dance-offs just as much.

By lunchtime, we’re all in need of a break (and food that isn’t shaped like animal crackers). After a quick meal, it’s nap time. For the kid, that is—not for me. As tempting as it is, this is my golden hour to catch up on emails, jot down some ideas, or just stare into space and wonder how people do this every day.

Early Afternoon: Daycare Drop-Off and Café Writing (AKA My Happy Place)

Once the little one is off to daycare, I’m free! Well, sort of. This is when the serious writing happens. I head to my favorite café, order a coffee (because obviously), and dive into my latest project. There’s something magical about writing in a café, surrounded by the hum of life in a foreign city. Plus, the caffeine helps.

But wait, there’s more! Afternoons aren’t just for writing—they’re also for meetings and podcast sessions. Yep, I’m out here gathering content for my books, chatting with fellow expats, and generally pretending I have my life together. Spoiler: I don’t, but I fake it pretty well.

Late Afternoon: Daycare Pickup and Round Two of Mom Mode

As the afternoon winds down, it’s time to pick up the little one from daycare. The transition from “writer” to “mom” happens in the blink of an eye (or the slam of a car door). We head home, where I’m back on duty—playtime, dinner prep, and making sure no one eats crayons (again).

Evening: Dinner, More Writing, and Sweet, Sweet Sleep

Dinner is a bit of a circus, with everyone vying for the last piece of bread and the dog begging under the table. But we make it through, and after that, it’s back to the writing grind. I usually squeeze in a few more hours of work in the evening—either at my desk or curled up on the couch with my laptop.

And then, finally, it’s bedtime. Sweet, sweet bedtime. For my little one, of course—but let’s be honest, I’m not far behind. Balancing writing, meetings, and parenting abroad can be exhausting, but it’s also ridiculously rewarding. And every day is a new adventure, filled with its own challenges and joys.

Conclusion: Life in the Fast Lane of Expat Parenthood

So there you have it—a day in the life of an expat writer and mom. It’s a balancing act of epic proportions, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Every diaper change, every deadline, every daycare run—it all adds up to a life that’s full of love, creativity, and, well, chaos.

Thanks for joining me on this wild ride! If you’re an expat parent or writer (or just a fellow coffee addict), I’d love to hear how you balance it all. Drop a comment below or hit me up with your own stories of juggling life abroad.

Catch you later!

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