This post is a part of our series on creative writing and blogging.
I started writing my current blog, Jennifer’s Little World, in July 2011, while I was on maternity leave with a new six week old baby and my two year old. My husband had taken the toddler away for the weekend, and I found myself with some actual free time while the baby napped. I’d written short-lived blogs in the past before having children, and it seemed like it would be a good way to share photographs and stories with family members that live further away. I also liked the idea of documenting my crafty endeavours, and perhaps finding some like-minded people to share them with.
I had no idea when I started blogging that there was such a large and friendly community of bloggers. I quickly discovered the parenting blogger networks, which opened up a whole new world to me. At first I found it rather intimidating to discover a huge number of polished and beautifully written blogs, but as I continued to write I gained in confidence, and I soon found myself a circle of bloggers that wrote about similar subjects to me and that I felt I could relate to.
I love sharing my ideas for crafting with young children, and it’s great to hear what other people think of my ideas. It’s always a boost when someone shares something that I’ve written. I also read a large number of blogs now, and I’ve found so much inspiration online, from crafts, days out and recipes, which have all enhanced the time that I spend with my children.
I love to write. My head is constantly full of chatter, and writing it all down helps me to process it. I sometimes write about difficulties that I’m facing with my parenting, and it’s really supportive to hear from other people that are going through the same thing and to realise that I’m not alone. Along with the blog comes a fair amount of time spent on social media, and as a stay at home Mum sometimes this is my main source of personal contact during the day. It’s great to know that there is always someone out there to talk to.
I love looking back through my blog. I have posts written about those early few months with the new baby, a time which is easily forgotten. I can go back to the posts that I wrote at the time, some of which are just a quick snapshot with a few words, and reminisce. I’ve written about days out that we’ve taken, holidays we’ve been on, and my feelings and emotions at various stages of parenting. My blog has replaced the detailed baby books and scrapbooks that I’ve always enjoyed keeping, and I’m planning to print it out as a permanent record.
Jennifer is a freelance content writer and lives in Angmering with her husband and their two young children. She blogs about the things that they get up to at Jennifer’s Little World and shares activities for young children at Toddler Things.
