How I Balance Mom Life and Blogging (and Actually Make Money)

I have two kids. One is a 4.5 year old who just started beginner kindergarten across town. The other is a 16 month old who takes a long nap in the afternoons. That nap window from about 12 pm to 2 pm is my uninterrupted time. I use this time to focus on my blog.

If you’re a stay-at-home mom, you probably get it. The day is already packed with school runs, laundry, making meals, cleaning up the never ending messes, and juggling nap schedules. It can feel like there’s no time left for you.

That’s exactly how I felt before I started this blog. I wanted something of my own. Something that could grow into real income but also let me stay home with my kids. I was tired of scrolling Instagram. I watched other moms somehow build businesses from their kitchens. Meanwhile, I just kept thinking, “How?”


The Reality of Blogging as a Mom

Here’s the truth: blogging is not easy. But it’s doable.

The trick is learning to work in pockets of time and being intentional with them. I don’t have eight hours a day. I don’t even have four. Most days, I get maybe two hours when Maddox naps, and I guard that time. That’s when I write. No scrolling, no overthinking… just writing.

Everyday Flow: How I Use My 2-Hour Window

12:00 – 2:00 PM – Nap-Time Writing Block
This is my sacred time. No social media scrolling. I focus on writing or editing whatever moves my blog forward. Sometimes that means drafting a new post. Other times, it’s refining headlines, adding affiliate links, or updating old content.


All Other (Free) Moments
If there’s downtime in the car, or while waiting in pickup lines, I’m on my phone. During a quiet moment after a bath, I batch create Pinterest pins in Canva. I aim for 3–5 fresh pins for each new post. This way, I always have visuals scheduled in advance. My content stays in front of readers even on days when writing isn’t happening.


Monday – Friday Routine

  • Monday–Wednesday: Writing and publishing new blog posts. I follow the prompts from my 10 ChatGPT templates so ideas land fast and without overwhelm.
  • Thursday: I set up or refine email automations. If I’m launching a freebie or email series, this is where it goes live. It often leads back to my Blog to Bank free guide.
  • Friday: I check in on Pinterest and email analytics. It’s also when I plan next week’s content roadmap — post ideas, pin designs, email topics. Then I batch whatever visuals I need for the weekend.

Why This Schedule Works for Me
It’s not about working all day. It’s about being smart with the time I have. The nap-time writing block keeps me consistent. Pin batch time ensures visibility without daily pressure. And setting routines for automations and planning ensures nothing slips through the cracks.

If you’re a mom who thinks blogging takes too much time, I have something to tell you. Even two focused hours a day can build real momentum.

If you’ve ever thought “I can’t do this because I don’t have time,” let me be living proof. You don’t need endless hours. You just need consistency and the right systems.


Using Pinterest to Grow Without Social Media Stress

I don’t have the energy to fight with algorithms on Instagram or TikTok all day. That’s why I focus on Pinterest.

Pinterest is built for bloggers. People go there to search for answers, tips, and ideas. If you write helpful posts, people will click through to your blog. Create pins that are easy to read and eye-catching.

Here’s how I make Pinterest actually work for me:

  • I keep my headlines clear, keyword-rich, and straight to the point.
  • I design pins in Canva that are simple but scroll-stopping.
  • I brand my pins consistently so people start to recognize them.
  • I schedule in batches, so pins go live even on days when I don’t touch my blog.

This is how I’m slowly but steadily getting readers without being glued to social media all day.


Why I Love Having an Amazon Storefront

One of the most exciting things I’ve added to my blogging journey is being part of the Amazon Influencer Program. It’s fun because I can create a storefront filled with products I actually use as a mom. I don’t have to include random things I’ve never tried.

For example, my Amazon storefront includes:

  • The diaper bag I’ve carried for years
  • The swing both of my boys lived in as babies
  • The disposable placemats that make eating out with toddlers so much less stressful
  • The hook-on high chair that saved us on road trips
  • Even the collars and treats my dog Kovu loves

This part feels natural to me because I’m not “selling.” I’m just sharing what works in my real life and linking to it in one spot. Other moms can shop the exact things I use, and I earn a commission at no extra cost to them.

It’s a small but exciting piece of the bigger blogging puzzle. Honestly, it makes writing posts more fun. I can tie in real-life stories. A blog post about road trips with kids becomes a helpful resource. I share what actually helped me survive the drive.


The Tools That Keep Me Sane

When I first started researching blogging, I got so overwhelmed by how many tools people were recommending. It felt like I needed to spend thousands just to get started. But I’ve learned that you only need a few essentials:

  • WordPress: Where my blog lives. I picked WordPress because it’s beginner-friendly and flexible enough to grow with me.
  • MailerLite: The easiest way to start building an email list (trust me, you want to start this early).
  • Canva: Where I design everything from my pins to freebies and even little PDFs for my readers.

That’s it. Keeping it simple has saved me from burning out.


Why I Finally Said “Eff It” and Just Started

I sat on this dream for years. I kept thinking about starting a blog, reading other people’s success stories, and telling myself, “Maybe one day.”

Then one day in June 2025, I hit a point where I was sick of wishing. Sick of waiting. Sick of thinking, “If only.”

I said “eff it,” bought my domain, and started writing. It was messy and scary, but it was also the most freeing decision I’ve made. Now, every blog post I write brings me closer to the life I actually want. This life is one where I control my income. I don’t have to ask permission to be home with my kids.


For Other Moms Who Dream of Blogging

If you’re another stay-at-home mom reading this and thinking, This is what I want too, I want you to know two things:

  1. It is absolutely possible.
  2. You don’t have to do it alone.

Starting out can feel daunting. I get it. I wasted so much time second-guessing myself and wondering if I was even “qualified” to write a blog. But here’s the truth: you don’t have to be an expert. You just have to start.

Here’s the thing. If you use my affiliate links for tools like WordPress or MailerLite, it helps me. It gets your blog up and running too. You’re not just helping me; you are also supporting your journey. You’re investing in your own dream and, in return, I’d love to help you personally. Imagine it as a two-way street. You support my little corner of the internet. I, in return, will support you in getting yours off the ground.

Message me anytime. Ask me questions. Tell me what you’re struggling with. I want to be the resource I wish I had when I was starting out.

Because here’s the bigger picture. This isn’t just about blogging. It’s about creating a future where you own your income. You don’t have to rely on someone else’s schedule. You can make money while still being the mom you want to be.

That’s my dream. And if it’s yours too, I’d love to help you chase it.


A Simple 3-Step Starter Plan for Moms Who Want to Begin Today

If you’re serious about starting, here’s what I’d do right now if I were starting from scratch:

  1. Set up your blog
    • Sign up for WordPress.
    • Pick a simple, clean theme. Don’t overthink it. Just get something up.
    • Write your first “why I’m here” post — it doesn’t need to be perfect.
  2. Start building your foundation
    • Sign up for MailerLite to start collecting emails (even if you don’t know what you’ll send yet).
    • Download my free course Blog to Bank — it’s literally the step-by-step roadmap I wish I had when I started.
  3. Get traffic flowing
    • Use Canva to design 5 pins for your first blog post.
    • Grab my 30 Blog Post Ideas That Drive Affiliate Sales freebie if you’re stuck on what to write next.
    • Schedule your pins to go live while you move on to your next post.

✨ Moms like us deserve options. If this has been on your heart, stop waiting for the “right time.” That time will never come. Start small today, and in six months you’ll thank yourself for just beginning.


💌 Final Note for Moms Who Are Ready

If you’ve been sitting on this dream like I did, I want you to hear me clearly. You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to start.

If you’re ready to set up your blog with WordPress or MailerLite, you can use my links. This helps me keep building this blog. In return, I’ll be in your corner. I’ll give you one on one support through email so you never feel like you’re doing this alone.

This is the part I wish someone offered me when I started. I don’t want you to waste months second guessing yourself like I did.

So if this is tugging at you, message me anytime. Tell me where you’re stuck. I’d love to help you take your first step into building something of your own. Moms like us deserve to own our future. We should not just dream about it.

You’ve made it this far. I’m guessing you’re serious about starting your own blog. You might be interested in finding a way to make money from home. I’d love for you to stick around. Subscribe below and I’ll send you my best blogging tips, free resources, and behind-the-scenes updates as I grow my blog. You’ll also get first access to any new guides I release. For example, my 10 ChatGPT prompts make writing and creating content so much easier.

This blog started as a dream during nap times and late nights. It has quickly become the foundation for how I want to create income for my family. If you’re ready to do the same, subscribe now so you don’t miss anything.

This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only share products I personally use and trust.

One response to “How I Balance Mom Life and Blogging (and Actually Make Money)”

  1. […] 👉 Do you want a deeper look at how I balance mom life and blogging? You can read my post Stay-at-Home Mom Blogging: How I Fit It Into My Day. […]

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I’m Jessica

Mama to two wild hearted boys and a creator who has figured out how to build a blog in the middle of real life.
Southwest Hex is where I share what actually works for me. The products I rely on, the Amazon finds that are worth buying, and the blogging strategies that helped me turn small pockets of time into real income. I like things that are clear, practical, and rooted in personal experience.

This space is for creators who want their work to feel both intentional and impactful. Maybe you’re growing your blog, refining your Pinterest strategy, or turning your content into something that earns consistently. Maybe you want simple recommendations that make everyday life smoother so you can focus on the things that matter. Either way, this is where you’ll find practical guidance, real experience, and a clear path forward.

If you are looking for guidance that feels honest and doable, ideas that save you time, and a place that blends lifestyle content with real blogging support, you will feel at home here.

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