Hustling Between Sports Practice and Deadlines: The Real Life of a Freelance Mom

My days run on repeat, and they usually look something like this: 

Wake up, get the kids ready, drive my youngest to school, while my oldest happily hops on the bus, social butterfly status unlocked. Come home, brew my liquid gold coffee and drink it in blissful silence for about 4.5 minutes. Then it’s errands, laundry, cleaning, and a quick attempt to sneak in some writing before school pickup. 

From there, the real chaos kicks in: straight to practice. My son plays travel baseball and my daughter’s in competitive cheer. If you know, you know. Weekends are filled with tournaments and competitions. Weeknights are late practices after long days at school. And, I’m usually that mom typing away in the car between innings or during warm-ups. 

Real talk: someone has to pay for the uniforms, hotels, and endless gear. Why do baseball players always need a new bat? After that, it’s a mad dash home, dinner on the table, bedtime routines, and a big phew. Rinse and repeat.

It’s not very glamorous if I’m being honest. It’s just me, hauling a chair to the sidelines with a laptop tucked under one arm. Or sometimes, I’m hiding in my car, avoiding everyone and everything for a few minutes of silence. I’m running through edits or batching work for the next day before the next pickup. My days revolve around kid logistics, and freelance writing flexes around the mess. It’s unpredictable and sometimes laugh-out-loud ridiculous. It’s just the kind of balance that makes this kind of work all worth it. 

The Juggle Is Real

Depending on the day, my “office” is the dining room table, where I can hear every sound happening in the house. Or the car, where I’ve typed more words than I care to admit. Baseball fields, cheer gyms, parking lots… they’ve all been part of my workspace. Not exactly a corner office, but it gets the job done.

Some days go smoothly, like a well-oiled machine. Other days? Not so much. A deadline is coming up, and your kid’s coach just texted that practice got moved up. Suddenly you’re negotiating with yourself: do I knock out another paragraph, or throw snacks in a bag and hit the road?

I try and remind myself that there is no perfect balance. Some days your work wins. Some days your kids win. But at the end of it all, you’re still showing up for both. And that’s a win in itself.

Why Freelancing Works for Moms

Have you ever looked at your kid’s sports schedule and thought, “How in the world do 9-5ers make this work?” Because I know I certainly have. Freelance writing is one of the few careers where flexibility is the foundation of what makes it work. It’s work that adapts to your family’s rhythm instead of breaking under it. That freedom is what keeps so many moms in the freelance game. You get to decide:

• When you work: Early morning before the house wakes up with hot coffee hand, late nights when the house has finally calmed down, in between errands and appointments, or during a two hour practice. Totally your call.

• Where you work: The dining room table, dusty baseball bleachers, a packed cheer viewing room, or the front seat of your car. Laptops travel.

• What you work on: Parenting blogs, lifestyle pieces, social media content, or fun newsletters. Whatever you’re into.

Spoiler: It’s Not Always Smooth

There are a lot of perks, but there are some downsides, too. Life can throw us some curveballs. Deadlines don’t care that your kid just spiked a fever. That “quick” edit? Suddenly it’s three hours later and you’re wondering what day it is. And that dreaded mom guilt is always lurking, ready to remind you you’re dropping balls on both sides.

But here’s the thing I remind myself: I’m trying to build a life that squeezes in family and dreams, even if dinner is cereal some nights (which my daughter loves.) I take great pride in showing my kids it’s a good thing to hustle, for them and for myself. 

How to Make It Work

If you’re living the freelance life (or thinking about starting), here are a few strategies that help me keep my sanity intact:

• Plan Around Sports Schedules: I live by my family calendar. Practices, games, competitions, tournaments, they all go in first. Then, I build my work hours in the gaps. Flexibility is key. Schedules are constantly changing, but at least this is a start.

• Batch Your Work: Outline articles in one sitting. Edit in another. Get all your research organized. Set up your docs. Switching between “mom mode” and “writer mode” takes energy, so grouping tasks saves me.

• Use the Small Pockets: Draft an intro while waiting in the car pickup line. Edit a paragraph while dinner is in the oven. Work on some research in between errands. Those 10–15 minute windows add up faster than you think.

• Give Yourself Permission to Pause: There are days when family simply comes first, no matter what. A kid gets sick, a grocery store trip has to happen because the only thing in your fridge is countless condiments and shriveled-up grapes, or the laundry pile is on the verge of becoming a fabric avalanche. The whole point of freelancing is to have the flexibility to choose.

Celebrating the Chaos

One of my favorite things about freelancing as a mom is that my kids see the hustle. They see me working toward something, even when it’s tough. Every time I’m typing away, my daughter looks over and asks, “What are you working on, Mom?” And on the way out the door, my son never fails to remind me, “Don’t forget your laptop, Mom.” They get it. They see the grind.

My kids have watched me type countless words while sitting at their practices. They see me model what it looks like to chase something of my own, even when life is full. Sure, my life revolves around them right now. But I have something of my own, too. 

So, celebrate your own milestones along the way. Your first client, your first published piece, your first paid invoice, hitting a tough deadline, when the words just flow, or even finishing research faster than you thought possible, all of it. Your kids will see you take pride in what you do, and that they should too.

Some Quick Tips for Success

1. Snack Like a Pro: Granola bars, fruit snacks, or goldfish crackers. Keep something edible handy. Hangry parents and kids are a recipe for disaster. And don’t forget to stay hydrated.

2. Master the Car Keyboard: Those parking-lot paragraphs are totally a thing. Don’t underestimate what you can do sitting in your car. That hotspot gets some use!

3. Stay Organized: Whatever works best for you, like a notebook, app, or a stack of Post-its. Having one spot for all your notes is essential.

4. Noise-Cancelling Headphones Are Your BFF: Block out all the talking, cheering, or even the neighbor’s dog. Focus is priceless.

5. Take Breaks (We mean it!): Step outside, stretch, grab a snack, or “touch grass” as the kids say. Even five minutes can reset your brain before the next sprint.

Keep Hustling, Mama!

Freelance life as a sports mom is a lot. It’s writing in all the places, managing deadlines and practices, and keeping it all together. So, go ahead and cheer for your personal victories, laugh at the craziness, and keep typing those words, even if it’s from your “mobile office” in the car. Your coffee is strong, your laptop is loyal, and your kids are learning the best lesson of all, that life is full of mayhem, and somehow, we make it work one day at at time.

Shortcut Your Hustle with The Pajama Writer

And if you need a little extra help along the way, The Pajama Writer has your back with guides, tools, and resources to make your freelance journey smoother. You’ve got this and with a little support, it just got a whole lot easier. 

Grab some downloads and tools that are designed to shortcut your learning curve and turn random gigs into long-term, bankable success. Get the support you need to hustle, be a mom, and still make every practice, game, tournament, or competition.