I knew when I had a baby that the content of this blog was likely to change. I didn't want this to turn into a "mommy blog", so to speak, but it's also a given that, because my daughter is a huge part of my life these days, a lot of my posts would involve baby things.
If we can be honest with one another for a second, I feel like this blog is in a bit of an awkward phase. Fashion and style stuff has taken a bit of a backseat to baby, which I fully expected. But, I'm definitely making more of an effort to revive the the style aspect this spring.
I do realize that not all of my readers are mommas. I also realize that the ages of readers here range from late teens to mid-fifties, which is crazy and awesome!
So, while a post about pacifiers may be just dandy for the mommies of the group, it may not be as riveting to those that aren't in this season of life.
And I want to produce content that resonates with both of those audiences.
I'm also struggling with the issue of how much of our daughter I want to involve in this blog. She is her own little person and will have her own little story to tell someday, if she chooses. Also, it's sort of a scary world out there. I want to protect her and shield her. The blogosphere is full of amazing people, but it also has a few crazies and trolls. And while I know I'll want to chronicle as much of her life as I can, I just question whether this platform is the best place to do that.
I digress.
Not saying anything will drastically change on here just yet, but I'm curious as to what you other moms have done to separate your home life and blog persona, if you will.
1. How do you choose what content to publish regarding your child?
2. Do you even put your kiddo "out there"?
3. Specifically fashion bloggers, how do you divide your content evenly between style and mommy stuff?
Thanks, y'all. Let's talk tomorrow again, okay? ; )
P.S.- If it's any consolation, tomorrow's post is about hair, Thursday's is an outfit post and Friday holds some awesome bracelets, so yeah...we're getting there, friends.
I am more of a lifestyle blogger than a fashion blogger, however I have had some of these same thoughts. How much of "me" do I put on the blog versus my son? I want to chronicle his life and milestones and look back on them, so right now I am blogging about both. I am sure my blog will evolve to being more about me as my son grows. I think you are doing a good job of balancing if that helps! :)
ReplyDeleteI just love your blog! Maybe I am not totally the norm, but I love that your blog is different all the time. I enjoy the variety of reading about your adorable little one, to real life conversations, to random great outfits! Keep up the great work!
ReplyDeleteSo I am not a mom but I want to encourage you that your blog still is one of my MUST reads. I love reading about Caroline (however much you do or don't share) or fashion or just your quirky southern self. Every one says content is king and I think that is true but before that comes a voice and you will always have that no matter what phase of life you are in!
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Leslie, I'm not a momma and I'm much more of a lifestyle blogger than a fashion blogger but I love what you write. I think that you have to share what you feel most comfortable with. I think it is great that you can write about milestones so lil' miss can read about it when the time comes. So, regardless of what you choose to write about--babies, bows, boots or brows I'm going to still read. I do pray that you have a peace come over you for whatever decision you decide to make.
ReplyDeleteHi friend! I love your blog... Even though I've taken quite the hiatus from mine, I come over and read yours still. :) I think you've got a great mix of things going on! Honestly, that's one reason I took a break. As a non-mommy, I can say you really do a great job of talking about everything! Daily life, Caroline, fashion, your hubby, etc. Just write what you feel comfortable writing and I'll be here. I love reading about Caroline because I feel like we've been blog friends for so long! It's nice to see how our lives have changed since I first started reading your blog. :)
ReplyDeleteI totally understand what you mean. Ever since I found out I was expecting, all I can think is "baby, baby, baby". That said, everything you write is great! I personally can relate to fashion posts, and also enjoy Mom posts. But I don't think those who prefer one or the other hold it against you that you write about a variety of things. Many of my favorite bloggers have certain things they write about that I skip reading, and I just keep my eyes open for the posts they write that do resonate with me. Good luck! I think your readers will stick around no matter what, because whatever you write about, it's done well :)
ReplyDeleteI like it all - mom stuff, fashion stuff, relationship stuff. I have a 10 year old and read plenty of blogs from moms of newborns. It's just fun!
ReplyDeleteHi Leslie,
ReplyDeleteI am 23 and am not yet a mother or a wife, but I LOVE reading your blog. I came across it right before sweet Caroline was born, and was immediately excited to become a part of the journey. From my side of things (a young woman who will one day transition into a life like yours), it is nice to read and take any tid-bits of advice you are willing to give. I love that your blog reflects exactly who you are and what you're going through...isn't that why we all ready one another's? So we can find help, humor and hope where we need it? I say keep doing what you do :)
P.S. Andee over at The Honeybee blog has a nice mixture of baby posts vs. fashion posts. Maybe she can be inspiration!
Kind Regards,
Shelbie (shelbiemuse.blogspot.com)
Leslie, as a new mama myself, of course I love your blog (and loved it before Caroline or Caleb arrived!) I think you do a great job balancing mama and non-mama posts. But I do understand you wanting to protect Caroline. I feel the same way about Caleb. At this point, I feel comfortable sharing his monthly updates and milestones, as well as little random tidbits I want to be sure to remember. However, I'm sure there will come a day when his story won't be one I feel comfortable sharing too much of. It's a fine line, isn't it? I like to look to fellow bloggers like Kelly at Kelly's Korner and Erin at Blue Eyed Bride for inspiration on how to navigate blogland with children!:)
ReplyDeleteLeslie, I have read your blog since right before your marriage and I love the content. I have 2 young kids, so I know the struggle. I blogged for a bit (more as a journal), but for several reasons my husband and I weren't super comfortable with it. I love reading blogs though.... As a mom, it is such great feeling to see others going through similar struggles, and successes. Plus, I love to get ideas (mom and non mom stuff), and sometimes just get a much needed lift me up! I wish you lots of luck, and will be praying for you to find peace in figuring out this piece in your life!
ReplyDeleteI struggle with this as well, I'm a new mom (Seth will be 5 months old next week!). I used to post personal things and just everyday things I experienced but I decided to make a private blog where I invited mainly friends and family (and also some bloggers I've grown close to). Then I kept my current blog to change into a more universal blog about specific topics I'm not quite decided on yet. I feel the same way, I didn't want to have crazy posts about my baby when not all my readers were moms and I didn't want to put too much out there about my baby. Hope this helps!
ReplyDeletePlease just write. Write what is on your heart. Write for you, not for us.
ReplyDeleteYou will never look back and be saddened that you didn't please a particular demographic but might look back and be sad if your writing isn't a true reflection of you.
I'm a 34 year old married English "girl" working in finance in London, UK. Very little of my life is like yours, but i can still enjoy your tales and musings...... and come back tomorrow if today's doesn't move me!
Leslie,
ReplyDeleteWell, I am not a mom but i am a late 20 year old gal and really appreciate all the mom talk. I know one day all of your mom talk will be needed! I say keep up with the mom talk, fashion talk and do what you feel comfortable. It's not like your readers are going anywhere! :)
Love the blog!
Thanks,
Leisha
As a 26 year old single gal, I'm with you on whatever you want to blog about. It's your blog. This is your little outlet that God has given you and you are using it well and seems to resonate with your followers, otherwise they wouldn't stick around. I enjoy hearing and seeing what little C is up to and do understand the privacy issue as I think it should be a concern as a new mom. (I hope someday to be blogging about my little ones, whenever that time comes.) Even if fashion, style, and whatever else is on the back burner for now it's okay. This is your life and this is what you're going through. Just think of us as your passengers on this journey of life with you whatever you want to discuss we are hear for you! :)
ReplyDeleteMy style and beauty blog is basically a mommy blog now..I just can't keep up. I used to have time in the morning to have my husband take outfit photos but now I have a whole new morning routine and I can't just put the baby in the house alone and go outside to take photos (because that would be crazy) but taking them inside the lighting sucks…so I just stopped doing it. Like you, I would love to return to style blogging but it's tough and just not a priority right now.
ReplyDeletefrequent reader, infrequent commenter here, I honestly appreciate blogs that seem less contrived. Some of the "fashion blogs" I read, although I enjoy them they never fall into my daily must-read category because they often times seem fake, contrived and pretentious...and just completely out of touch with my reality (and I often assume theirs as well). I am a mommy, so I appreciate mommy blog content, but I've enjoyed your blog for a few years now and have thought you hit the nail on the head with your content.
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