What a Difference a Month Makes

Well today marks the end of the NaBloPoMo Challenge, where bloggers have been writing a post a day for the whole of November. When I decided to take up the challenge I was just getting back into blogging and mainly did it to get back into the habit of posting. I am proud to say that I have made it to the end!! I will admit I missed 2 days when I first went off work, mainly because I was feeling pretty low and just couldn’t find the motivation.

So what has happened over the month?

The biggest subject of my blog this month has been my depression. It seems so long ago I wrote a post about how low I was feeling which inevitably has led to me seeing the doctor, being diagnosed with depression and being off work for most of the month. I would love to say I am getting there but I still feel pretty rubbish. I went back to the doctor today who has signed me off for another 2 weeks. The tablets aren’t yet making a difference but I have been reassured this is nothing to be concerned about in the short term because it can take up to 4 weeks to feel the benefits.

Also, Christmas is coming and while I struggle to find my enthusiasm I have almost finished my shopping and have started the wrapping, I’ve even delivered pressies to family that I won’t see on the day! I need to get the tree up as this is the first year since I left home 12 years ago that the tree has not made it into the house before the end of November. I guess NaBloPoMo has taken up more of my time than I thought!!

This month also saw the arrival of some welcome exciting news………but you still have to watch this space on that one for a while!

Now I have to decide how often I will post from now on. I think every day is a lot, although I know some bloggers do, and I have in the past written a daily post. I don’t want to end up not writing very often though and losing any new readers that may be out there! So I think I will aim to do a minimum of 3 a week. What do you think, did you take part in NaBloPoMo and if so how much will you blog now it’s over? Or how much would you like to read from me? Some days I could waffle on for a long time and others I don’t have anything to say so any opinions are welcome!!

Silent Sunday

Soon be time again!

Writers block

When I decided to get involved with NaBloPoMo and committed to write a post every day for a month, I didn’t quite think it would be so hard. I always have something to say and those who know me will know I have an opinion on everything. Trouble is I have now got complete writers block.

To say I have nothing to write about would be wrong. I have so much I would love to share but it’s all things which are not appropriate for me to blog about or things which I’m not ready to share.

So I’m after tips and inspiration! What do you do when you have writers block?

The Price of Anonymity

So I blog, so I don’t use my kids names, so I am anonymous, so I can say what I want! Right?

I have got back into blogging recently and as such knew that a big way to get readers is to comment on other blogs. As such I’ve been reading and to be honest have been shocked at what I have read! I haven’t commented because I have been lost for words!! It got me to wonder, what the hell do people think happens when they write a blog post. It’s viewable by anyone in the world and anonymity or not, you have no control over who sees it!

Here’s just an example of some of the stuff I have read:

• Details of sex life
• Moaning about partners
• Moaning about in laws
• Pictures of other people’s kids

Now don’t get me wrong, I am sure that all these bloggers (and I have seen examples of these on more than 1 blog so I’m not thinking of anyone in particular) have asked the other people if it’s ok to write about them, and I really hope that they have also asked other people if it is ok to publish pics of their kids. But beyond that, can we really be sure of who sees what we write? Anyone with an internet connection can see what we blog about. Yes paedophiles might read. Yes ex’s who want you back might read it. Your in laws may read what you don’t want them to see. You might tell your best mate the new position you tried last night but do you really need to tell the world your hubby was crap at it?

We all need to rant sometimes and no one blogs what they aren’t likely to say to a partner or best friend, but there are some things that are best not in the public domain, surely? Do we really live in a society where everything is public?

Personally, I write minimally about other people and try my hardest to keep them anonymous, but I know that there will always be some one out there who knows who I am talking about. So I do always ask, what do I want people I know, to know? In a strange way, I am happy with strangers to know and comment on anything because to them I’m not a real person – but I have to be prepared that what I write online may get someone’s back up, and if it does I may have to face that without the security of my laptop in front of me.

I’m not saying we shouldn’t blog, and in the main the posts on mummy blogs are what I would say “safe” in that they are personal but not infringing on others’ privacy – sometimes though I do wonder if the fact it’s all online makes us more likely to say what should remain unsaid!

What are your blogging boundaries, and do you speak up if you think other posts cross a line?

Long Time no Blog!

It’s been a while since I have done much with my blog so I just wanted to assure you that I am still here! I guess work life coupled with keeping up with housework and of course being a busy Mum has got on top of me and my blog has suffered. So many times I have thought “Wow that would make a fantastic blog post” and then not got round to writing it there and then, but by the time I sit down to write the ideas have left my head! Mainly due to the fact then by the time I sit down and switch on the lap top my brain has switched off.

 

It’s not even as if I have lots to say as to why I haven’t blogged, but I wanted to write a post to highlight the fact that life as a single working Mum is hard. I know a lot of you reading this will be thinking “Well duh, of course it is!”, and that’s another reason why this post is being written. I’m after tips as to how everyone deals with hectic lives, whether you blog or not, what strategies do you have to make sure there is time for everything? Any tips really would be appreciated.

 

So many jobs are shouting at me to be done, and I seem to have no time to do any of them!! But I promise to try and blog more often and I may end up carrying a note book round with me so I can jot down the ideas as I get them……….watch this space!

Hiding Behind the Laptop!

I was thinking yesterday how it’s really strange how I will blog about anything yet in real life it’s different! I will talk about anything on here, within reason of course! I recently took part in the Meme telling the whole world what I keep in my handbag! Yet yesterday at work when I lost my phone in it, I was really conscious about emptying the contents out on the table in front of my colleagues! In reality though any of them could have had the guided tour on my blog!

 

It did make me wonder though, do we loose too many inhibitions when we are hiding behind the laptop? I talk openly about my thoughts and feelings on here – mainly because once the kids are in bed I am sat on my own with just my virtual web friends to talk through things that are on my mind! I enjoy letting people into my mind and seeing what goes on in my world but is it always a good thing to be so forthcoming with information in such a public and in some ways uncontrolled way.

 

Facebook is the same, I’m no where near as bad as I have been, but it has been known for me to post status updates 15 to 20 times a day. In some respects that’s not as bad because it’s only friends who can view it, all 200 hundred odd of them some of which are, again, “virtual” friends! And don’t get me started on Twitter, I’m not on there all the time but everything I post on there (except direct messages) is viewable by anyone in the world. You can even have your tweets show up in Google searches.

 

It’s how our society is these days. The internet is a fantastic way of sourcing information and keeping in touch, but it’s also a haven for those strange people who like to stalk others or steal identities! When I set up this blog I made a decision not to name my children or myself, not to give away where in the world I am or to post pictures of me and my girls. That didn’t last long. Ok my girls are still nameless, but I have used pictures and joined things like The Secret Post Club, which means people learn more about me.

 

I guess it’s impossible to be invisible, but what I am trying to say is that sometimes I forget just how public the net can be and wonder if maybe, sometimes, the fact we are sat in our comfortable, safe homes, we forget the net isn’t just what’s on our screen! Do you ever worry you’re saying too much?

An Appeal For Feedback!

When I started my blog a few months ago, I had no idea what direction I would go with it. I got a lot of readers come over from British Mummy Bloggers who helped me get to grips with the WordPress platform as well as Twitter! I initially thought my blog would be where I talk mainly about my kids and get advice on what to do with them. Initially it was all about my girls and me being a single mum – hence the title of my blog. I have however noticed that it have evolved somewhat and talk about pretty much every aspect of my life on here.

I have recently, however, noticed that my comments have fallen off compared to what they were last month. Now I’m not too concerned because my stats show people are still coming to my site, but what does concern me is that probably only 1% or fewer are commenting on my posts. I have been a bit reluctant to blog about this fact in case people think I am being a little too egotistically assuming I am worthy of comments – but then I thought what the hell, it may be something simple I am doing wrong so asking for advice is a natural thing to do.

So I have a few questions for you all……..

• Does the fact I chop and change between subjects put you off my blog?
• Are you a regular reader and if so what makes you comment on some posts and not others?
• If you’re a new reader is there anything on my site or posts that would put you off coming back?
• Am I doing anything wrong or is this just a natural blogging dip in stats?

I would like to point out that I am very grateful for all my readers and really appreciate all the comments I do get. I also love to find new blogs so that’s another reason I like to get comments – not just for my own self indulgence!

Guest Blog Post

Ok so there are a fair few of us joining in on this Guest Blog event today, and I have done my intro so you all know Kerry from And Then All I Thought About Was You is posting on my site today.

We decide, having not done this before, to throw a few ideas of Title’s around and both write a blog post to fit the title. Here is Kerry’s, I think it is beautiful and it’s a true reflection of her honest and creative writing that you will find on her blog. So take a look, and visit her blog to find out more about her and also to read my post of the same title! Take it away Kerry………

Life Without Kids

Life without kids would be quiet

It would be tidy

It would be clean

It would be organised

Life without kids would be a full time job

It would be a 37 hour working week

It would be free time at weekends

It would be out partying Friday/Saturday

It would be lying in Sunday till midday

Life without kids would be having money

It would be money to spend on me

It would be money left after all the bills are paid

It would be savings

Life without kids would be holidays

It would be holidays abroad

It would be hot, sandy and sunny

It would be for two weeks at a time

Life without kids would be living in another country

It would be just going and trying

It would be no ties

It would be a lets see how it goes

Life without kids would be no loving you unconditionally

It would be no one needing you

It would be no cuddles in the middle of the night

It would be no looks of pure love and adoration

It would be no feelings of pride and joy at your child

It would be not having someone loving you till the end of your days

And My Guest Blogger is……….

Kerry from And Then All I Thought About Was You

I hadn’t come accross Kerry’s blog before so I was really happy to find someone new through this experience straight away! So for anyone else who hasn’t met her before as  blogger or on Twitter here is some info about her.

Kerry is 29 years young and mum to 16 month old Little Man. She is wife to Mr L and has T the three year old Beagle. She works from home as an Avon rep, and Little Man goes to Nannies 2 days a week so she can deal with her business and get a bit of adult time too! She would love to be a writer and is currently studying from home, completing a Creative Writing Course.

Kerry, like myself, has been blogging for a month now and loving every minute of it. Her blog is pretty open in it’s content, although her main subject is parenting, family and things she is learning along the road as a Mummy. She loves getting involved with the Blogging community, as well as this Guest Blog Day event, she takes part in the writing workshop each week and yesterday she took part in The Gallery too.

Tomorrow Kerry’s 1^st Guest Post will appear on my blog, and mine on hers. Both having never done this before we decided to go about it in a particular way…..I won’t spoil it now, hopefully you will notice straight away when our posts are published tomorrow. Please make her feel welcome here and I hope you will all come see my post too. Fingers crossed you will like what you see and become regular readers of hers too!

Guest Day Blog – Friday 5th March

Some of my fellow Mummy Bloggers are joining in on Friday’s Guest Blog event organised by the lovely Erica at http://www.littlemummy.com but for those of you who don’t know about this, a fair few of us Mummy Bloggers have been paired up to guest blog with each other. My Guest Blogger will be revealed tomorrow when I introduce her to you all but I just wanted to record a bit about why I decided to join in and having just finished my post, how I feel about it now.

My main initial reason for being involved was to get me known to fellow mummy bloggers. I have been blogging here for just under a month now, whilst I have got out into the blogging community through British Mummy Bloggers and Twitter I am always looking for new ways, like this, to get my blog noticed. However, it is also a way for me to find new blogging friends. The wonderful Mum I have been paired with I have never come across before. Straight away I have found a new blog to read and we have both been blogging for around the same time too, so already it’s a positive experience for me!

I have just written my blog post for the big day! I have never felt nervous about writing my blog posts before, but the fact this is going on someone elses site has reallymade me think more about what I write!!! Now yes that is a good thing but it also makes me worry what I write for myself is utter drivvle!!!! I just hope come Friday everything goes to plan!!!

For anyone who hasn’t taken part this time, I would definitely recommend it. It is part of the learning curve and I have found it makes you look at your blog in a different way, whether you have blogged for years or just started that is always a good thing. So until Friday……….Good Luck to everyone else who is taking part in this!