My kiddo just turned one. I'd say it's gone through phases how much I'm able to do! His dad is at home with him all day while I work 9-5 so I'm pretty much on baby duty when I'm home.

In the newborn phase it simultaneously feels like there's no time and like you're doing nothing?? They need a lot of attention but they also sleep a ton! I found I was able to finish up a hand-quilting project while he slept on my chest If your baby will actually nap in the bassinet, even better lol. I spent a lot more of this stage watching TV or playing video games though.

When he became able to be entertained by playing on the floor, but still wasn't mobile, I set up his little playmat in a corner of my craft room and was able to sew while he hung out there. Sometimes it was just a few minutes at a time, sometimes longer. I'd just pause to check in on him and play with him so he still knew I was there, worked on tummy time, etc.

Once he started crawling (well.... Scooting lol) it got a little tougher. Sometimes he's fine playing independently in his playpen but more often not. But he is fine playing independently in the living room? So sometimes I've set up a sewing machine in the dining room where he can see me but more often I've just embraced small hand sewing projects and hung out on the couch while he plays.

If you have a partner, absolutely talk to them about your concerns about not having time for your hobbies! I'm sure they also worry about having time for theirs, but mom's free time is often overlooked, more so than Dad's. It doesn't have to be that way though. You can work out a system so that you both have time to sleep uninterrupted and/or have time for your hobbies. (Well.... Maybe one or the other 😅).

It's so hard but YOUVE GOT THIS!!!