.This is How I do It.

Recently I have been asked by a few different people about blogging.

More specifically how do I balance having a blog and having my family?

I thought it was a good question, and one that I have even wrestled with on and off, so I decided to address it right here on my blog. This is how I do it. I just have a tiny blog, and I write to remember, so I don't feel pressure like maybe some "bigger" bloggers might. So if you are wondering how they do it - ask them! {grin}

I blog. A lot.

I just have an insatiable desire and even an intrinsic need to write, to get my thoughts out in some way. I am an avid fan of journaling, and I have loved that since my childhood. It started with a beautiful scented diary, complete with a lock and little key when I was eleven years old. My love of recording my thoughts, feelings, and the moments of right now took off like a forest fire. I could fill boxes with old diaries and journals. I still love journaling, but it has taken a different form in this stage of my life - in my homemaking journal and here on my blog.

For me blogging can consume my entire day, if I were to let it. I don't. Here is how I try to make sure of that:

I write my posts quickly. That is because before I ever sit down at my computer to type them out, I have already written and rewritten them in my head. This post, for example, was written the other night as I was trying to fall asleep in bed. Sometimes my posts are written while I am taking a shower, or doing mundane housework, or running on my treadmill. I have done this for as long as I can remember - write in my head and then on paper.

I stockpile photos. I have numerous photos that could go along with various posts. I edit them at different times (usually) then I type a post. Now sometimes a photo just begs me to write a certain post, and I do that, too. I usually only get little chunks here and there to sit at the computer, so that is what works for me.

I draft posts and schedule them to publish (this post for example is drafted. I am not sure when I will choose to publish it.), so if I ever do have a good chunk of time I can write a whole week's worth of posts in one sitting. This has become huge for me, especially with taking on my new role as a Raising Homemakers writer. Early on in my blogging I learned that one should always publish posts at different times of the day, rather than always publishing at say 2:00 in the afternoon. I practice this, but don't know if it really matters!

My family and living life always comes before blogging. I would rather live it then blog it! And if ever blogging starts to take precedence, or I just need a break - I take it, and have done that even recently.

I have just started viewing my blog as a ministry, and I pray about it. I also pray that God would help me to maintain balance and not let blogging consume me, because at this point in my life blogging is not my main ministry - being a wife, mommy, and homemaker is.

I love reading blogs, and I love the godly women I have met via blogging. However, I do have to limit my time reading blogs everyday. I used to read a book every afternoon. Now I read blogs, and I save my books for before bed. I have to set a timer for myself, though. I really do. There are just so many fantastic blogs out there, but I only have so much time.

When I am with my family - I try to be intentional and in the moment.

These are just a few of the ways that I can think of right now that I balance blogging with family.

I certainly do not want to miss precious and cherished moments with these three while I sit in front of a computer.



Now I am curious. How do you balance blogging and family?