Blogging tips

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

.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.

Photobucket

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


8 comments:

rameelin said...

I blog early in the morning, before Nora wakes up and while Braden is curled up on the couch watching cartoons. I have usually snuggled with him for a bit but when it's time for my pop tart and coffee-the blogging begins. Usually, if I don't do it in the morning, I don't do it. Our day is filled with other things and although I am on and off the computer at different times throughout the day, I wouldn't have the time to sit and focus on a post.

I, too, blog to remember. I have been 'blogging' for almost 5 years and love it. It has become a very important ministry in our home both for Daniel & I. He has a deep understanding of how my words are impacting others and he is very encouraging in my journey.

I have to admit that I enjoy writing much more than I enjoy reading. I read a few blogs in the morning as I'm eating breakfast, but after that I try not to. Unless, I see an update from a dear blog friend and then I can usually find a moment or two to read. Overall, though, I'm a writer and other than being with my children during the day, that is all I want to do:) It's all I've ever done.

I've tried drafting posts, but find that I like to keep everything more up to date. I have many friends who live far away (military friends) that I want to be able to keep up to date on our day to day happenings as quickly as I can. And I know they appreciate it. I don't want to lose sight of the fact that they are really why I keep updating. They are missing precious time with our children.

Good post, Tiff. I'm off to fold some laundry and pray over my dear husband again. We're hoping for a breakthrough in a job--I may email you so you can pray over details with us?! Talk to you soon...

Denise In Bloom said...

I love this post! We all work to balance everything in life. As Christian moms it is a constant work to get it all within healthy boundaries. I find I have to "go with the flow". I can't set a certain time, because life brings unexpected events through my days. I fit all my web work in around my kids schedule, and leave it to the Lord.

I pray for God to order my day, and I know he will take care of the rest. When I turn it over to Him, then it keeps Him in the driver's seat.

God Bless
Denise
(The Cottage Chick)

BARBIE said...

This is a great topic for discussion. For me, it's so important to have balance, because I not only have four children and a husband, but I work full-time and am actively involved in ministry 2-3 nights a week. I can't say that I've always had perfect balance with my family, ministry and my blog, but it's something I strive for. Typically, I blog late at night (usually between 10:00-Midnight) after my kiddos are in bed, when the house is quiet. I have been caught "reading blogs" or even blogging while they are still up. It's easy to get sucked in some times! I don't feel the pressure to blog daily; I blog when I feel I have something worthy of sharing, when the Lord lays something on my heart, or when I feel like a good ole meme is in order.

As a new blogger, I am still learning to bring balance to this and many areas of my life.

CrystalsCozyKitchen said...

I blog when my son is asleep - naptime and after bedtime. Sometimes if he wakes up and is playing in his crib, I let him for a while until I'm finished, but only if he is happy and not complaining. Sometimes I edit photos and stuff while my husband plays with my son. My husband is very supportive of my blogging and I'm grateful to him for that.

liz said...

I have never heard the "post at different times of the day" thing. I, too, try to write ahead and set to publish.

I love the throwback to the diary with lock and key!

Grace~The Mommy On the Bus said...

I have four littles under 6, so it's hard for me to find time to do anything extra-curricular without sacrificing time with them!

I used to not manage my time on the internet well, but started seeing discipline issues from me being wrapped up in Blog world (that's sad, but true!)

So now I just blog during nap time. I'm like you and write it in my head...then I take half of rest/nap time to blog and the other half to do my weekly chore list!

Good discussion here!

Angelica said...

I have been struggling with this so I really needed to ready this. Today I set a timer for the first time and I stuck to it.

Carrie said...

I have set limits for myself - sometimes I check email or twitter real quick while the kids are awake, but other than that, I only let myself write or read blogs when the kids are asleep and my husband is otherwise occupied. Or if I'm nursing Natalie while Z is asleep. That way I make sure I'm not ignoring them like you mentioned. That means some days I don't really get to blog or read blogs, although I would like to, but it works out pretty well overall. :)

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