*Long post ahead. Please bear with me and stick it out until the end… I have a couple of questions for you.**
I’ve been keeping a web log – aka blogging – for almost six years. I began writing online mainly as a way to stay in touch with one lovely friend who moved far, far away. This friend begged and pleaded with me and, after nearly succumbing to the excuse that I had not the time, I logged on to homeschoolblogger.com and chose the username and blog ID YoungMommy.
Occasionally I would talk about products and services that I loved, but I wrote mostly about what was going on in our family, life with four kiddos (all under the age of four), my pregnancy with baby #5, our homeschooling and travel adventures, and anything else that struck my fancy. Poems, short quotes, personal stories and pictures graced the virtual pages of Organized Chaos.
Never did I imagine that, after only a few short months, not only did my beautiful friend check in often, but I had many consistent readers and would eventually be sought out by companies to help create buzz around their products. I snagged the handle YoungMommy on Twitter and thus began my venture in to product reviews and the new world (for me, anyway) of social media.
After much thought, and a few reviews on Organized Chaos, I made the decision to begin From Dates to Diapers – A blog that would house my product reviews, details about contests that I found around the blogosphere, and perhaps even host a contest or two of my own. After all, I didn’t want to inundate my Organized Chaos readers with “a bunch of commercials,” since they were, in fact, reading to hear about the next brilliant thing one of my kiddos said and not to hear about the diaper ointment I was using.
A couple of months went by. Many blog posts were written on both Organized Chaos and From Dates to Diapers. More than a few diapers were changed and a only few dates were enjoyed. I realized that keeping up with two sites was near impossible with my commitment to quality and dedication to my family. So I made the decision to merge the two blogs. And, now we have From Dates to Diapers as you know it.
You’ve seen me through two more pregnancies, rejoiced with me over the birth of Noah and the birth of Timothy, heard about birthday parties, vacations, bad days and good. I’ve shared our school schedules and lamented with you over the fact that I am so not crafty and hate to cook. You’ve seen bits of blog trips, squeed with me over meeting celebrities and faithfully watched my appearances on news programs.
I’ve blogged because I love to write, I love to talk about my family, and I love the connection I have with other women on and offline. It’s been fun these last five-and-a-half years and I have met some amazing people… people who have become some of my best friends. I am indebted to you for making From Dates to Diapers what it is today!
My love for blogging hasn’t changed, necessarily, but now I feel stuck. These last four months have been spent enjoying my new little baby and watching him grow and interact with his siblings. My older kiddos and I have had long days of school and spent lots of time just being together. Even though most of my writing took place after my kiddos were in bed before, I guess you could say that I got out of the habit of spending time virtually composing my thoughts mainly because I needed every bit of sleep that Timothy would allow me.
But, while I was spending almost all of my “free” time catching up on sleep, I fear many of you gave up on me. I know I could publish a post about what we did on any particular day, I would still like to write out Timothy’s birth story for posterity, and I have a plethora of products I need to write about, but I’d love to hear what you want to see and read here on From Dates to Diapers in the next few weeks. Do you have any pressing questions for me? Something you’d like for me to talk about?
It’s time for me to find my bloggy groove again.
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve followed you since FDTD was created, I always loved your personal writings. Like this. Or about homeschooling. Even your product reviews have always been fantastic!
I understand about losing focus, you’ll get it back!
Enjoy that baby! Love all over those little pink toes and fuzzy head. Your blog will be here, waiting. Just process what ya want to in little bits of time, but don’t stress on it. It’s not easy to do everything with a newborn around.
Take care!
Dee
I love where your blog went actually!!! I think I have read more, when you started talking about your personal life, than before when you were doing mostly product reviews. Although those are fun as well, don’t get me wrong
I think overall the readers don’t expect much, since we KNOW or SHOULD know, that families come first. And since we all know you have a BIG family, that would mean, it includes alot of time needed with them!
So I guess what I am saying is, I LOVE to hear a mixture, about products you use and what you liked or didn’t like about them, and also about your family. I like to read something, and can connect in someway, as most of us do I would assume.
I think you are doing a great job, and you shouldn’t feel overwhelmed with it all!
Equal balance between work and family is hard to maintain, but its fun to find a way to make it happen! 
Good luck and I love your blog!
I like it how it is now too. A little of everything.
Joyce´s last [type] ..Stories from Pottyville 4
So great that you posted this as it is very honest and you are reaching out to your readers. I personally love when you talk about what is going on with your family because people can relate to you that way. The product reviews are great but maybe in between the posts about you and your family. I think you will gain more readers and trust of your reviews if people can see that you are human by how you handle your day to day life…. the good, the bad and the ugly:-)
Don’t feel bad about losing your bloggy groove. It happens and you have a great excuse and you have some priorities….your family. Hang in there and most importantly…be true to yourself!! That Bloggy Groove will come back:-)
Anna
Annie & Isabel
I think we get into ruts with writing and blogging. Its normal but as long as you have been blogging –its normal to be in a rut. I’m on 4 years and I get that way with books.
Unless you are hiding a superwoman cape …totally understand what you are going through and I’m sure anyone who has given birth or homeschools understand.
Ah, Christine. So many women are going through this right now – a blog identity crisis of sorts. Yours is definitely understandable, you just had a baby a couple months ago! However, you aren’t going to find your bloggy groove and love to write again if you aren’t writing things from your heart. Are you asking your readers for ideas on what to write, or asking for them to tell you what to write, because you’re stuck and don’t know what to do?
My opinion is – just write. Write whatever you can, when you can. Write when it feels important, pertinent, passionate. Your readers will appreciate your words when you can write them, but don’t write simply for the sake of putting words up for them to read that aren’t heartfelt. Did that make sense?
Or, since you’re stuck with what to write and might not feel inspired, you could always post pictures, or do a picture post depicting something or some topic (like a recipe or craft). Or, to help get you out of your bloggy slump, try doing a “Day in the Life” post. I did something just like this last May, except I chronicled a full week. It was a lot of fun posting everyday what I did everyday, AND, it gave my readers a birds-eye view into exactly what it’s like to be me raising six kids for a week – http://www.crazyadventuresinparenting.com/2010/04/week-in-my-life-day-1-sunday.html
Hugs, sweetie!!
Lisa @ Crazy Adventures in Parenting´s last [type] ..My Mornings in a Nutshell
Hi Christine…I love keeping in contact with you and your family thru the blog. I always enjoyed seeing you at First Cov and since we don’t get to see eachother, its nice to still keep in touch this way! I am amazed by your tenacity and success with blogging, I remember when you are were a Partylite rep and had a party at my house. Now you are blogging and I’m so happy that you have found this niche and God has blessed you in this way. I would say, Give yourself a break, because I don’t know how you are able to juggle so many plates…I’m surprised you can even get to the computer with 7 kiddos…lol! I enjoy hearing about what is going on in your life and family, the blog videos are pretty funny. I particularly enjoy the recipes you post, quick and easy, super yummy!! BTW, Julia’s meatloaf recipe is particularly awesome.
I am hoping we can make the Easter cakes this year with the candies on top, I still have it printed and ready to go! Take care and God Bless!!!
I just discovered your blog in the last couple of weeks, and I have really enjoyed your recent posts. I know others are trying to encourage you in your time of creativity blockage, but I’m going to be selfish and ask that you write about potty training, since I’m embarking on this exciting voyage with my 2-year-old son. I don’t know if you’ve already covered this in the past, but there are so many how-to’s on the web and the library, I’m overwhelmed! It would be nice to hear how a mom actually did it. Thanks!
I think we all lose our blogging groove now and again, I know I’ve done it a few times.
Personally, I’d love to see how you cook for so many kids, the types of meals, recipes, etc. I find that cooking for five is no easy task and would love to hear how you hand it.
Hi Christine,
I’d love to hear about your homeschooling in CA. We recently moved from Colorado and I’m still trying to get a handle on what to do to homeschool in CA from a Christian perspective. Any Need to Know stuff for CA would be great. I also have a challenging 3 year old boy that I need to manage while schooling my older girls (8 and 10). So whatever you do to keep the mischief maker entertained… I’d love to know!
I’ve followed you for about a year. I enjoy your stories because I can relate. Your blog and facebook page helped me to connect my husband to your husband and they met for lunch last December before we moved. I know you must be exhausted juggling it all, so be encouraged that you don’t need to blog, but we all enjoy it when you do! Rest and time with your kiddos is most important!
Thanks!
I haven’t followed you that long… but I like hearing about your life. Yeah, products are interesting if it’s something I might use, but half the time in the blog world it’s not. I usually follow blogs for the personalities!
I totally realize the new baby syndrome and have felt a need to be more organized and intentional about what time I spend online too!
Good luck with it all!
I enjoy your daily stuff as well as anything you have. Makes me feel like I’m not a failure when I too have days like you mentioned on Feb. 3rd. When school goes on the back-burner for sick/grumpy or just plain old unco-operative kids. When you have one that is soooo full of life and energy that, especially during the snow-storm of the century, you want to pull your hair out and are constantly crying out to God. Those are the blogs I enjoy the most becuase it makes me feel like I’m not alone. And that “this too shall pass”.
Keep up the good work, and those of us who truly want to follow you will, becuase we understand what you are going through and that some days, everything goes on the back-burner. Especially if you are choosing sleep over blogging.
Hello my dear friend! I think you are amazing and am glad for whatever you choose to post. One thing I think would be neat for others to read about is your parenting methods. You are such a wise mommy and do a lot of great and creative things with your kids, I think it would be great for others to see how you handle everyday parenting stuff. Like how you discipline at different ages, how you teach sharing, prayer time, quiet time, do you use a scheduled bed time, nap time, feeding time, how you entertain, teach and keep busy different ages with different tasks. Your attitude about household chores, family roles, friendships, church time, school time, etc. I know you are always learning new things and I know there are tons of parents with questions that would appreciate your answers and wisdom!
Love you!
Julia
Hi Christine!
I have followed you a bit throughout the years. We met back in the day at church right before your twins were born. So happy to see that your blog is still growing and wonderful! I was checking through your posts trying to find info on the curriculum that you use with your kiddos. We homeschooled last year and are considering diving back in. Would love to hear details!!
Kristi
Just like everything in life, there are ups and downs to it all! You are an inspiration to countless moms out there. Keep doing what you’re doing.