Drama day 7: Rhythms of a Busy Life

 

The alarm doesn’t wake me; my internal clock does. It’s 5:30 AM, and the house is silent—the kind of silence that carries potential. I roll out of bed, careful not to wake my 2-year-old, whose energy level rivals that of a whirlwind, or my 7-year-old, who’s a little more forgiving of a disturbed morning. My day begins not with coffee, but with a moment of stillness—a quick meditation that feels like grounding before the storm.

By 6:00 AM, I’m already in the kitchen. Breakfast prep is part strategy, part survival—two different appetites to please, plus my own, all before the nanny arrives at 8:00 AM. By the time I’ve flipped the last roti, the house starts to stir. The 7-year-old wakes up groggy but cooperative, while the 2-year-old—already plotting his next escapade—flashes a mischievous grin.

By 8:00 AM, the nanny takes over toddler duties, and my older one heads off to school. It’s go-time for me. From 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, I’m deep into work mode. My job is remote, but that doesn’t mean less demanding. Deadlines loom, emails pile up, and yet, my ears remain tuned to any unusual noises from the next room where the nanny and the toddler play. (Parents, you know—silence is rarely golden.)

Lunch at 12:30 PM is a whirlwind. The toddler’s appetite is as unpredictable as his moods, but we make it work. Post-lunch, while the nanny handles clean-up, I squeeze in one-on-one time with my youngest. It’s nothing extravagant—a short story, some stacking blocks—but it’s sacred.

The 7-year-old returns at 1:30 PM, tired and hungry. Homework time follows, and while he’s relatively independent, occasional questions makes me pause. (When did 2nd-grade get so complicated?) Meanwhile, the toddler refuses a proper nap but settles for a 45-minute power doze—just enough to refuel for round two of chaos.

By 5:00 PM, the nanny departs, and the real juggling act begins. It’s the magical hour for both kids—snacks, playtime, sibling squabbles, and occasional moments of pure, heart-melting joy when they’re kind to each other. I’m part referee, part participant, part spectator.

Dinner prep starts at 7:00 PM. It’s my chance to unwind in the chaos, chopping vegetables while the boys zoom around the house. Dinner is at 8:00 PM, and while it’s not the serene family meal you’d see on TV, it’s ours. Plates are passed, stories are shared, and the dog—ever the optimist—waits for scraps.

The bedtime routine is its own saga. Teeth brushing, changing into PJs and bedtime stories. By 9:00 PM, I’m trying to coax the toddler to sleep, while the older one reads quietly. Both are finally in bed by 10:00 PM—a time that feels both too late and somehow perfect.

Once the house is quiet again, I exhale. My time begins. Sometimes it’s spent writing—drafting my ideas or jotting down blog ideas. Other nights, it’s Netflix or a phone call with a friend. By midnight, I’m in bed, already thinking about tomorrow’s to-do list.

It’s not glamorous, but it’s mine. My life is a tapestry of work, love, chaos, and growth—woven together in a way that makes each day feel like an adventure. So, what about your day? Does it feel as much of a balancing act as mine does?