Hey guys!!! I have been a member on CCC for a while, but havent posted in ages. I just had a baby girl, Mary Rose and have a two year old son. My problem is I feel like I will never be able to make cakes again, because being a stay at home mom is so demanding! Im afraid my cake obsession will just fade into the background. Im wondering if anyone has any encouraging words on how you are able to keep up with the demands of children and still work on cakes! Thanks for any advice!

Meghan

Hi, if you're missing some cake, get into bundt cakes, all you have to do is bake, cool and glaze. and you can wrap them up pretty with ribbons to give.

You have a built in clientel now...your baby's doctor and nurses..lol

Hi Meghan,

I just looked at your cakes. They are beautiful. You can not stop or give up. My son is now 14 months. I also have a 3 1/2 and a 7 1/2. It does get better. When my son was born I was certain my cake hobby was out the window, but Before you know it he was big enough to play with his sisters. Your baby will be at an age where you can get more done very soon. I try to wait until Daddy is at home to do my baking. He keeps them busy. Sometimes I just put them down for a nap or put on a DVD. My 7 year old is very helpful. She keeps the other two busy for me (sometimes). You just have to find ways around your situation. Sometimes I bake at night. Sometimes Ii just spend the day making buttercream to keep in the icebox so that I always have some on hand. There are ways around the kids. You just have to find what works for you. My mom always tells me "They don't stay small forever"

Take care and Good Luck
I hope that was encouraging enough

Read this:

http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-8430-toddler.html

It will make you feel better because you'll find you're not alone and you'll also learn ideas on how to decorate and make them happy too.

Good luck and Congratulations!

Hi Meghan,

I have 4 kids, and each time one was born I thought I would never have time to do anything ever again. That feeling will fade. My advice start doing cakes again as soon as you feel up to it so the kids see that as part of your routine. Give them something special to play or do that they will only get to do while you are making cakes....that will give them something to look forward to. Your cakes are beautiful, don't sell your self short you can be a great mom and caker!

Berta

Your kids need you, but YOU need YOU. A happy mom is definately a good thing. Don't forget to take care of yourself and what you need, and if you need to bake cakes, do it. Congratulations, and be happy!!

I started out making when my boys were 2 & 1. They are now 34 & 35! It never stopped me! You will be able to find time to do it. Organization is the key.

Hello, congrats on your newest addition. I work about 35 to 38 hours a week as a hair-stylist, I also have a 4 1/2 year old son and I still have to make time in the evening to make my cakes. Right now it is easy too because I let him roll out fondant and let him use the cookie cutters and paint.
Let the hubby know you need a couple hours of YOUtime and bust out a yummy cake. Maybe right now it is tough to do that, give yourself a break. You know the desire is still there, it won't go away. You'll do great and your kids will say how great it is to have a mommy that is a great baker and decorator, right? I hope this helped. Theresa

Ok take it from a mom of 3. A 4yr old, 2yr old, and 1 yr old. I just did a bridal shower cake with fondant roses.

The way to think about it is that your cake tools will always stay fresh and waiting for you. I pretty much resigned myself into not being able to do any cakes until my son turned one.

I also made a big to do for the kids birthday cakes and they love picking their theme. So it is not impossible. That first year is tough to get anything done. But after that at least for me it gets easier. My ds still takes good naps and is about to go to 1 big nap instead of 2 small naps so I can get alot done then.

Did I mention that I homeschool too.

You can do it! Don't give up on cake decorating.

I should also mention that I bake in the morning and decorate at night when they are in bed. I make the icing the day before so when I am ready to decorate in the evening that is all I have to do is sit and work.

Dh also know that my decorating time is at night so he knows to not expect a big dinner and he cleans up afterwards.

My kids have an 8:30 pm bedtime too. Dh gets them ready for bed and I start setting up.

Thank you all soooo much for the advice, I feel a lot better now. It can be discouraging when you feel like you have to give up a part of your life that you love because you just do not have the time or sometimes the energy! I have a goal, I want to make my first cake for Halloween, we'll see what happens, Ill be sure to post it, if it happens! Thank you all again!!!

You can do it.....start out slow .....split up your process.....make your icing and colors one day ...bake another ...ice and decorate.....

I usually bake at night because my DD is alsleep and wont bug me.... I think you just need to find what will work for you.

I agree with everyone. I work, take car of house and kids and hubby. You have to do like lasting moments said--break it up into stages. I haven't had an order for a bit. But I am always trying to make a cake on the side for something to do. Don't give up!! Babies don't stay babies forever. If you are just in the mood to practice techniques, just mix up a bit of icing and play around with it when the kids are napping or something. I know that you will find a way to fit it back into your life. Just don't give up!! Take care and God bless!!

Tanya

Congratulations meghan89! I felt the same way to after my third was born. I did stop for a little while and even thought, well thats that. But as time goes on you'll start to feel like you again and you'll start finding the urge to do it and you will.

Keep your head up and live for everyday! I know it's hard, set deadlines if it gives you happiness but, don't stress over not meeting them right now.

As I have mentioned before...I give all you "mommies" all the credit in the world. Somehow you find time to do everything and definitely have the "time management" thing down to a science. I can't give any advice, but I can give you a bit of encouragement! Don't quit, don't give up.....you will figure out a way to work in your passion for cake decorating!

Looking forward to seeing your next cake picture! Best of luck to you and contrats to you on your newest addition to your family. Enjoy!

Hi, I have a very high-needs baby and suffer from a serious lack of "me" time. I also have a 5yr old. She was so easy to entertain. I did not anticpate my activities being so limited with this baby. It is very annoying to be at home and still not get anything done. I am not a night person so the decorating at night thing will not work for me. I bake one day and decorate another day. It's slow going, but I am learning the basics.

Your cakes are works of art! How about baking some small cakes and then freezing them?

Bubblesmom... that's a good suggestion. if you get some free time, bake and freeze some cakes. Then once the little ones are in bed you can enjoy the decorating whenever you want. This also custs down on mess. bake one day and freeze them then whenever you want to decorate pull one out let it thaw and the next day you can decorate in a clean kitchen. I kow it's hard with kids. You just have to come up with some creative ways to get your cakes done. I've seen lots of late night info-mercials while decorating.LOL