Tag Archives: learning

On the #MWDD13 homework

LearnerBlogger, Wales, , ,

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Homework? I wasn’t expecting that – but there it is…use the lunch break not only for inhaling the cakes (lovely, by the way!) but also for doing a snippet on someone or something at #MWDD13.

So I grabbed Laura – here she is! Laura is the brains behind Political Style,  and gave a fab talk this morning on how to get your blog out there, ‘reaching the USA from Cardiff Bay’. And, since I’m new to this blogging lark, I took the opportunity to ask her some questions – for most of the talented ladies at Mostly Women Doing Digital they will be very basic questions – but they might be useful for anyone considering blogging, so here they are – somewhat paraphrased, sorry Laura!

Q Do you think you have to have an extremely specific topic, to make a successful blog? (I have been wondering about this because already, my young blog seems to leap around a lot between topics…)

A Not necessarily. Political Style is quite niche, and that’s one of the reasons that it has been picked up by other blogs (including the famous Mrs O, no less!) But, you can offer regular features or topics on say a weekly or biweekly basis, which help it to hang together, and give readers something to remember to come back for.

Q How do you manage your blog alongside full time work?

A I tend to research and write posts on the weekend, when I have more time, and then schedule them for the week ahead. That way if other stuff comes up, I don’t have to be worrying about missing out a day or so – because posts are scheduled to go out in any case.

Q What’s the blog etiquette on linking to other blogs? Should you ask them first?

A People will usually be happy to have links so there’s no real need to ask them beforehand, though I often email them to give them a heads up that I’ve mentioned them. With blogrolls, the way to get featured on other people’s rolls is to email them and ask if they will feature yours, in exchange for you including theirs – and this can be a great way to generate traffic – for instance I am quite proud of the fact I am one of just three blogs featured on Mrs O.

Q Should you/do you tweet every post?

A I don’t tweet every post – if it’s a ‘filler’ post for example, then I don’t tend to tweet it. If it is more of an article than a post, eg my post on Sheryl Sandberg’s book, then I’ll tweet it and often I’ll @message anyone mentioned too.

Q Any other advice?

A Bloggers are mostly helpful people! If you admire a blogger, get in touch – they’ll probably be happy to share advice and tips.

Laura, thank you for chatting to me – and for being my #MWDD13 homework!

On Mostly Women Doing Digital

LearnerBlogger, Wales, , ,

I’m really excited – and more than a little nervous today – because, despite the odds, I’m on my way to Mostly Women Doing Digital.

Excited because I am sure I am going to learn shedloads!! As you’d expect, I’m particularly interested in Kids And Our Digital Future by Sangeet Bhullar, and DIY Blog/Site SetUp And Design by Philippa Davies . I’m also hoping to learn some lessons which will be useful in my professional life from Public Life, Big Numbers and Social Media by  Helen Reynolds. And as my current contract is due to end in June, I’ll definitely be taking notes on How The Web Gave Me A Job , by Esther Nagle.

Nervous, because though I *think* I used to be quite sharp, I’m pretty sure my mental agility and capacity have been diminished somewhat by having kids. I’ve heard tell that you get it back eventually – well, I’ll keep you informed of any progress, but don’t hold your breath! Added to that, I am not great at events where I don’t know anyone. My lovely friend Tanya from BeachLifeEtc was planning to come along – so I was kind of planning to hide behind her sparkly confidence for the day. But she has been up all night dealing with poorly kids, bless her.

It totally crossed my mind to bail too, when I received Tan’s message. But – and I am quite proud of myself for this – I didn’t – I have taken myself in my hands (is that even a saying?) and I am on the train, caffeine fuelled, as we speak. Here goes! Wish me luck, I’ll let you know how I get on!

On small steps with my biggest boy

Family, LearnerMother, , ,

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One of my clearest memories from having my firstborn was how utterly perplexed he seemed to be with the world in which he found himself.

Completely exhausted from labour, and terrified that I would fall asleep and suffocate him, I had put him in the little crib thing next to me and held my breath, expecting a roar of protest. Well the roar never came – and in fact, he continued to be the most placid baby I’d ever come across. But in place of the roar, was a little face looking around so confused, so worried almost, that I wished I could have popped him safely back inside me for a few more weeks till he felt ready to face us all.

That sense of not being in the right place has stayed with my biggest boy. Even in his happiest moments, he has never been completely carefree. He worries about all sorts of things – most of all about whether anyone likes him. Achingly like me as a child, he is desperate to fit in and be one of the gang, but doesn’t really know how to do it. When I watch him on the school yard in the mornings, I have sometimes felt physical pain in my gut for him as I see him approach groups only to be ignored – and then to start acting the fool to get attention, and of course isolating himself further. In the past I’ve been pretty pro-active about organising playdates for him, but over the last year or so – at his request – these have tapered off.

But just these last few weeks it feels as if there is a small, but significant change in the air. He seems more confident in himself, and his thoughts and feelings. He is definitely playing more with a wider group of friends in the playground, and in the last 2 weeks has had playdates with 2 different friends – at his instigation! – and has invited another friend to sleep over on the last day of term. He’s stayed off the ‘concern list’ all year at school, and his teacher said again at parents evening how far he has come this year.

None of that really matters to me – I would slay dragons for him as he is, however he is. But seeing him grow into himself a little, and become more comfortable in his own skin, is a lovely way to start the Spring, for all of us – but most of all for him. Looking forward to more small steps, my biggest boy! x

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