Talking Intimate Health with your Daughters

**Giveaway Closed, Congratulations Carol T**

We all struggle with different issues as parents and I've certainly got areas where I need to up my game but I am thankful that one thing I don't struggle with is being able to talk to my children openly about all sorts. The girls are now nearly ten and a few weeks back we had the growing up, periods, body developing and (surface level) sex talk and then a couple of weeks ago I was presented with a prime opportunity to talk to them again, this time on the topic of intimate health.

Now don't get me wrong, it isn't like I enjoy broaching sensitive or potentially embarrassing conversations with them I just figure that if I tackle them head on and without my face going too red they will grow up knowing that it is OK and normal to talk openly. I pray this will stand them in good stead when they have relationships of their own one day, nothing worse than a wife who beats around the bush and can't be honest with her husband, right?

So there I was a couple of weeks back, I wasn't feeling that great having developed a cold when we returned from Spain and I was coughing and sneezing like a good’un. I've also got some women's issues and I'm waiting for my appointment for a colposcopy, as after nearly ten years of excessive bleeding it has become too much to live with. Then to top it all off I started to feel uncomfortable down below, I was itchy, sore and just generally feeling very tender. I was pretty sure it was thrush but due to my heavy bleeding I couldn't spot the tell-tale white discharge that normally accompanies it but I knew it was time to take action.

Sometimes you embarass me

This feels like a difficult post to write but for some reason over the last couple of weeks that title has come back to me again and again and I've been chewing over the topic, so I figure that I should be writing this.

I suspect there are many parents that at times have felt embarrassed by one or more of their children. I also suspect that like me they don't feel proud of how they feel. Who wants to admit that? To be being embarrassed by the behaviour of their own flesh and blood? and of course that is where the problem comes from, we feel so closely attached to them, so responsible that when they are less than perfect we find it hard to deal with. We see it as a reflection on us, we are not perfect and all our flaws and vulnerabilities are exposed for the world to see.

I know that the issue is with me and not them. Of course they are not perfect, they are 7, 7 and 10 and on a whirlwind learning journey through life. The truth is they are never going to be perfect, none of us are. There is only one perfect being and whilst we aspire to be like Him, thankfully He sees all our imperfections and loves us anyway. That is what grace is, the love that Jesus extends to us when we do not deserve it.

This parenting lark is really hard at times, or it is if you want to do it right. I so want to raise kids that are kind, considerate, a great friend, polite, good at sharing and selfless. That is a pretty tall order I'm putting on them and if we are honest I'm not all of those things and the ones that I am doing OK with have taken years of practise. I know that as a 7 years old I was noisy, excitable, brash, forthright and basically bouncing off the walls, just like my little ball of energy is and I know a few people who think I turned out OK. She'll turn out OK too, I just need to allow her the time and the space to make mistakes and to learn from them. No judgement, just love and support.

So I need to get a grip and change my attitude and next time my kids do something that makes me cringe inside and feel as if I'm a failure as a parent I need to remember that I'm not. I'm a good enough mum who cares a lot, certainly too much at times about what others might think and I just need to remember to use the time as a learning opportunity. That is my primary job after all, to love them unconditionally, to help them learn to be really great well-rounded adults and to ensure they enjoy the journey of getting there.

That is what childhood is after all, a journey, a training ground for when they are adults. Through my constant coaching (it might feel like nagging) this is my chance to help them learn to be resilient, to deal with life's knocks and to get back up again, to be kind and to extend grace to those who don't deserve it. Also to enjoy life, to have fun and be fun to be with, whilst remaining honest and keeping a sense of perspective.

My dream for my children is that they will walk close to God and will serve others with a willing heart. They are the things I know will make a massive difference and will ensure they have peace and joy. What I've really come to realise as I have been writing this is that I need to model what I want them to become, if my greatest desire is for them to be Christian servants then I need to be that and I need to be doing it with a willing heart and a bucketful of kindness.

Have you ever thought about what you hope your children will become? I know some friends desire their children to be healthy, others successful and some super rich, but what about you, what is your hearts desire for your children when they are grown adults?

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Am I who I seem to be?

Ready for my Mummy Blogger Event at London Zoo with Vosene on Saturday

It's a good question isn't it? 

If you are a regular reader or if we chat in forums, on twitter or facebook you probably feel like you know me.  'Of course' you say, 'You are Mich, a loving mummy with 3 kids, you have a dh who is really good with the kids, you're a Christian, a strong and assertive woman, you give good advice and mostly you are very positive'.  I have heard this description from lots of people over time, that is often who people think I am.

But is that me? Do I come across on my blog as I really am in real life?

A couple of years back I met a few twins mums and we had a weekend away together, these were people I had chatted to on a daily basis for at least two years.  They knew the on-line Mich very well, they had been through all the ups and downs with me.  I had moderated the twins board for a while, won the award for how clean is your house and offered advice dozens of times to them, as they had me.  As we travelled home from our delightful weekend a couple of the women commented that I was a lot more 'normal' than they might have expected and far more lively and fun than they had envisioned.  Apparently on-line I come across as very nice but quite straight laced and serious.  This makes me smile big time!  I am not at all serious, I love fun and laughter with my family and friends. I am the one who does not have to drink to have a good time, up for a dance, give me a mic and I'll karaoke the night away.

The next year I met the twin mummies again and another one joined us and on the train journey home she commented to me that she had been nervous to meet me, as she thought I may judge her as she is Pagan and I am Christian. I explained that my perspective is that I have no right to judge anyone, only God may judge.  As a Christian my job is to be Christ like and to walk as Jesus would have and this means being accepting of everyone.  This is not a dilution of my faith, I do not think being Pagan is the right choice, for me there is only one choice and that is to be saved by Jesus but I accept free choice and I love people for who they are.

Recently I spoke to my Mum and one of my best friends L and asked them if I came across as me in my blog.  They both said definitely, so that is good to hear  but I do think what lacks in my on-line me (and I am not sure why, its not contrived) is the down to earth normal Mich, full of insecurities like anyone else.  An armadillo is what I often refer to myself as, hard on the outside with a very soft inside. I put my foot in my mouth without meaning too and am then crushed that I have hurt someone. Truly I am a person of contrasts, content to be in with my hubbie in front of the TV and just as happy to be with the girls on the dance floor. Nervous to be at a networking event but completely in my comfort zone making a formal presentation to 100 people.

So am I who you think I am?  If you have met me at a blogger event, was I as you expected?  Cybermummy will be interesting for some people to see the real Mich.

And now a little warning to all my wonderful friends, especially the newer bloggers. Always be on your guard and protect yourself. Not everyone is who they seem.  There are such things as trolls who join forums or write blogs for their own selfish reasons.  They are not genuine and true and always get found out in the end but often people get hurt in the meantime.

It is not even always the case that these people mean to hurt others, sometimes they have mental health problems, sometimes they are so mixed up they think it is their life they are blogging about but sometimes they are evil.  I once knew someone and I loved them as a person who used chat rooms to be a completely different person.  They hated their life and the shell they felt trapped in so they created an alter ego and wrote as that person.  No hurt was intended but of course people got hurt. Lies always hurt.

So my advice is if you notice someone often tells you one thing and then changes the story a short while later to put them on your 'be aware radar'. No one has too many inconsistencies in their life!

Be well and happy!  Mich x

Notes From The Heart...

It has been a long time since I last wrote a notes from the heart post!  Far too long....  I love the 'Dear So and So' link up that Kat at 3 Bedroom Bungalow created and I have been remiss in not joining in recently.  So I aim to kick myself up the bum and start it again.  I remember when I used to do these posts regularly, they were always the ones that people would say to me they loved.

So off we go....

Dear JJ

Boy do we have some ups and downs with you little man. I feel so proud of you right now, you are trying really hard at school, your teacher tells me that he can see the immense effort you are making and I am really loving the fun that we have together.  My heart swells when I realise that Daddy and I are doing OK and you are growing up to be a delight.

When we saw the child psychologist last week for your next consultation in this long line of assessments towards finding out if you have learning difficulties you conducted yourself really well and gave me the space to talk to the Consultant.  It was nice to meet with a professional who understood what I was saying and recognised that there could be a real need that you require help with. It will be interesting to see what your occupational therapy assessment brings up and once you finally have your full communications disorder assessment in the next year we will know much more but for now I feel that it is a good thing that you are in the system and now have a professional championing your case.

Thank you babe for being you.  You make my life so much richer.

Mummy xxx

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Miss M

Thank the Lord that you are on the path to being well again.  Chickenpox really knocked you for six didn't it? You can be such hard work at times. How stubborn can a 3 year old be?  Your definance is not OK young lady, as I have told you many times before I am the boss and you will do as you are told.  This is not because I am a mean Mummy but because it is my job to teach you right from wrong and also some manners.  I love you with a passion that is untrue but you have to stop pushing me to the brink.  You are such fun when you are behaving yourself and life is much easier for us all.

Here's hoping for a good week....

Mummy (who loves you soooo much!) xxx

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Miss E

Yes you can be stubborn at times and have some funny, quirky little ways but generally you are an absolute delight, where did you come from?  I am sure you are not really one of my children.  This beautiful mellow manner that you have is totally unfamiliar to someone as manic as me.

Thank you baby for providing me with a little bit of tranquility.

Mummy xxx

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Dear blog,

I love you but why do you absorb me so much? I seem to have got in this awful habit of blogging every day and it is not even because I feel I have to it is because I have so many posts brewing in my head that I need to get them out but I do wonder how I will sustain this, so you may just see a few less from me and that will be a good thing.

Your master!
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To my wonderful readers,

I love you and value you.  Each and every one of you, whether you pop in every day or just stop by twice a year, you are what make my blog what it is. Whenever I used to post one of these notes from the heart I used to tell you I had X number of followers and that my next target would be X.  Well, I think I have come of age since then, as I now have over 330 followers on here, 180 on my review blog and over 500 subscribed through feedburner.  I feel OK now, I do not need to set another target.  Currently I sit at number 13 in the Tots100 parenting chart and 9 in the Wikio parenting chart and I feel pretty darn proud. My aim has always been to keep my blog as an honest reflection of me and all that is important to me and I think it does that.

Cheers all, Mich x

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To my food obsession,

I hate you, I want you out of my life.  If only I did not have to eat, things would be so much easier.  One day this big issue will be solved but for now I need to put one foot in front of the other and keep going....

I need to learn to love myself from the inside out.  Another blog post on this coming real soon.

Unhappy in Herts!

This is Me, Filling in the Blanks...

I have been tagged for two meme's, so I am being a bit crafty and combining them into one post!

Here goes with the first one, I was tagged by Scribbling Mum for the 'This is Me' meme.  I have to get my kids to draw a picture of me and share it with you all.  So here I am as seen through the eyes of my kids - watch out for me at Cybermummy!  If you spot me from one of these - there WILL be a prize!

Miss E's (age 3) drawing - see my large bottom?  and it looks like I have a curly willy!
Drawn in pink because it is my favourite colour apparently...

Yep, Miss M (age 3) does well with capturing my apple shape.  Bit worried about only 4 fingers on my left hand and the spikey lesbian hairdo - not for me...

Oh JJ (age 7), if only my legs were that slim and long! I like my big smile though... but the arms are a tad Mr Tickle!

Then the other one I was tagged for by Mummy Beadzoid and I have to 'Fill in the blanks' and help you learn a little something about me...

I am many things: Wife, Mother, Daughter, Sister, Friend, Christian, Employee, Boss, Blogger, Compulsive overeater and only when you put all these together do you get Mich.  No one thing defines me.

The bravest thing I have ever done is tell the truth. If I think something needs to be said or shared then that is what I do, be it here on the blog, in real life to friends or at my overeaters meeting.  In the last few weeks I have been called brave by more people than I can recall.  I do not necessarily think I am brave but if my being honest and forthright helps others to do the same then marvellous.

I feel prettiest when I am not thinking about it.  If I start to look too closely or pay too much attention to my shape, size or appearance I can always find fault.  When I am carefree with the ones I love and who love me I can glance in the mirror and see myself and think yes I look good!

Something that keeps me awake at night is the injustice in our world.  There is enough wealth in this world for every person to live a decent life.  Everyone deserves to be warm, well fed, feel safe and to have their health cared for.  It is wrong that those of us living in the Western world have so much when other countries have nothing.  I am not prepared to say it is that countries fault as previous leaders overspent or anything similar.  I do not know what I can personally do about this as yet but one day I am confident that I will be able to make a difference.

My favourite meal is not a discussion I should be having.  If you know me you know I am a compulsive overeater and that food is my drug of choice.  If I sit here and dissect my favourite meal it is a fruitless few minutes that will send me to the fridge looking for food.  So I long for my favourite meal to be a healthful and abstinent one that I eat to keep me alive rather than to suppress any feelings I am having.

The way to my heart is to perform kind and simple gestures for me, without my asking you.  Preparing the vegetables, letting me have a lie in, tidying the play room, baby sitting.  All these things make me feel loved and cherished.  Sure I would love a new diamond ring but I do not need it and probably would not appreciate it half as much as you making some effort for me.

I would like to be working for God.  One day I believe I will do a job which will actively be Christian.  I am not sure what it is as yet but I am open to guidance and I sit and wait on God. For as with everything, it is in His time and not mine....  Thy will be done.

So did you learn something?  Or was I just spurting the same old rubbish?

Now of course in true meme style I have to tag people and as I have been lazy you get to have 2 for the price of 1.  Of course you can be slack and just do one or if you don't fancy then do none!

Mumrablog
Kellogsville
Me and My Shadow
Mummy Mishaps
Bod For Tea

Ghostwritermummy talks about the Importance of finding your Blogging Voice

Today it is the turn of ghostwritermummy to take the hot seat! Here is a little more about her -

I am a mother, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend, a writer, a teacher and a blogger. I started my blog after realising that writing would help me deal with the traumatic birth of my son. Since blogging about my experiences, I have met many fabulous women who have been through similar experiences and as a result, I feel stronger. I want my blog to help other families who have suffered birth trauma and to raise awareness. Other than that, my blog has re-awakened my first love- writing.
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If I said I wasn’t feeling slightly honoured to have been asked to write a guest post on Mummy From The Heart, I would be lying. Seeing as the reason for this post is to help new bloggers along the way, not being truthful in the first sentence would be failing at the first hurdle. What I’m trying to say is that one of the most important things I have found since I started blogging is to be honest. It’s also vital that you have a voice, and that you remember your audience.


I have read so many blogs in the short while since ghostwritermummy began and I am lucky enough to have read some fabulous posts and articles that have inspired me to write my own. I have been welcomed by the mummy blogging community with open arms and now Michelle is opening those arms a little wider to help all of us new bloggers find our feet a little more easily. So, here’s what I think is important to consider:

BE HONEST

This incorporates so much. Firstly, Katie at Sluiter Nation (one of my most favourite blogs to read) has put this so much better than I could in her post which she wrote as part of For The Love of Blogging. Be honest about where your inspiration comes from- if another blogger has inspired you, give them credit and link them in, like I just did there. See? Clever, me. So, yes. Be honest. Link back to your inspiration and thank them. It’s appreciated.

Being honest is also about

HAVING A VOICE

Again, Katie puts this so well in her post and it really is important. If you like to write funny posts, then do it. If you feel more comfortable writing serious posts, then do that instead. Don’t worry about putting people off because once they know your style they will know what to expect and we’re all perfectly within our rights to read the blogs that appeal to us personally. BUT that doesn’t mean you should only ever write in one style. This is YOUR blog. Which leads me on to my next part...

REMEMBER YOUR AUDIENCE

I blogged about this as part of For The Love of Blogging in my post, Writing Wednesday. As I wrote in that post, it’s important to remember who your audience is- as I tell the children in my class when they sit down to write ANYTHING. Without an audience, there is no purpose to the writing. I’m not talking about obsessively collecting page view figures or subscription rates- I’m talking your audience, who you are writing for... YOU. A mummy blog, such as mine, inevitably begins as a way to put down your inner thoughts and, like mine once more, can begin to snowball once you start to get readers and comments. But I think it’s important to remember that the first member of your audience was always YOU and so you should write about what matters to YOU.

This last one goes back to the first two. Don’t write about something you know nothing about, don’t care about or isn’t honest. You’ll lose the reason why you started the blog in the first place. If someone asks you to review disposable nappies and you are a staunch believer in cloth nappies, then say no. Your blog is your online diary and only you can say if you’re 100% happy with everything in it. Don’t be tempted to write something just to please the people who read your blog or just to get lots of views. Just be yourself, write what matters to you and enjoy being your own boss.

Oh, and READ. The best way to develop your own style, angle and opinions is to read other blogs and get yourself involved in the community. There are so many fabulous blogs out there to read! I will leave you with this article by Kari Henley for the Huffington Post. Read it. She talks about the power of mummy bloggers and there are some fabulous tips on there too. Be inspired. Write.


Super advice there ghostwriter mummy, my blog was born of the need for me to be honest, hence the name Mummy From The Heart...  Let me just point readers to this awesome post too where one well-respected blogger talks about why it is important to her to stay true to herself.

Tomorrow Heather from SAHM Loving It will make her guest appearance here at MFTH..., she will be talking about relationship building.

Fancy Knowing 7 New Things About Me?

I can tell January has arrived.  Any idea why? because I have received an award as part of a meme!  Last year when I first came to blogging in January I took part in a few meme's and I remember the thrill of completing them.  I was so chuffed to have been nominated for an award and lets be honest, this is only my second January so I still feel pretty chuffed.  Except now I am supposed to be a seasoned blogger and be past all that sort of thing.  Yea, right!  Thank you Carol from New Mummy for tagging me.  I would love to think of myself as a Stylish Blogger.

As with all meme's this one comes with some rules.  I have to reveal 7 things to you that you do not already know about me.  My first thought is that this sounds like a nightmare, I am pretty open so what else is there to bare....  right lets give it a try -

1. My middle name is Dawn and I do not like it (sorry to all the Dawn's out there).  I was named Dawn as I was born at 6am and I think that is a nice reason with good meaning but I still dislike the name!
2. I have only ever slept with 3 men (is that too much information - are you running away now?). One was a nightmare and I may tell that story on here one day, one I thought I loved and one I still do love very much.
3. I am 37 years old and I still suck my thumb! Only sometimes, when I am tried and never in public.  It is not something I am proud of but I know at least 5 other grown women who do the same! Gosh this is like therapy!
4. It is 11pm (Sunday) when I am writing this and I have had over 820 page views on my blog today.  Tell me that is good - I am thrilled!
5. I have owned 5 cars in my life - 4 Ford fiestas (all bought from new) and my current Toyota.  If I had not of had 3 kids I might have had fiesta's forever, I appear to be a creature of habit.
6. When I was young I thought I had the talent to be a professional artist.  Luckily I gained some perspective and outgrew that!
7. I did not learn to swim properly until I was 18 and on my first foreign holiday with my boyfriend. As such my kids will have swim lessons and learn from an early age.  I do not have enough talent to teach them but it is such a valuable and enjoyable skill

and that's the 7!  I think you have learnt enough there!

I am supposed to tag another 15 bloggers to take part in this meme (wow, how many?).  So here goes, I am going to try and tag new (and newish, within last 6 months) bloggers so they can hopefully feel that thrill I did last year. So here are their twitter ID's and linked as their blogs - go take a look and share some blogger love with these newbies.

Go read, Enjoy!! Mich x

Tweeps Share their 10 Hot Tips for New Bloggers - Part 1



Image Credit

I have been wanting to write some posts aimed at new bloggers for a while now, so here is the first of what may be..... many! On BMB today some of the new bloggers started to give me ideas of posts they would like to see, so I will endeavour to fit them into my already overflowing life, lol, while, of course be mindful of the great advice below!

I asked the question on twitter 'Give me your 1 piece of essential advice for a new blogger' and I got a great response.  You can always rely on Twitter, which brings me onto the first tip -

• JOIN TWITTER - @photopuddle said just that 'Join twitter! It's a great way of promoting your blog and you really feel part of the blogging community'. Set yourself up with a Twitter account and start following people and chatting to anyone and everyone.  One rule - do not be shy!  Jump in to anyone's conversations on twitter, do not sit back and wait - go for it!  I found it very hard at first and it probably took me 6 months to really get into it and now I love it.  I was a slow learner, I know others who are more confident in an unknown social situation who cracked it in a weekend!

•  JOIN BMB - @cherrymumof6 tweeted 'Join BMB, they are a Godsend'. As per twitter, be brave and just say Hi.  Start new discussions, add to discussions that are there already and any question that comes to mind - just post it and ask.  Remember, like any other online forum, manners and good etiquette are a must. Join the new to blogging group and find some new blogs to check out.... hang on that's the next tip.

• READ OTHER BLOGS AND COMMENT, LOTS! A few tweeters had the same advice - @dawnie_brown 'Go visit other blogs and comment, you can't expect lots of views and comments if you make no effort yourself :)'. @susurem agrees 'read other blogs! And comment if you like what u read! Gain inspiration from the fab blogs + always link back to them' and an important reminder from @misssym 'Don't be put off by the lack of comments in the first few months. People will start reading if you stick at it. And just because people don't comment, it doesn't mean they aren't reading'. @bodfortea expands on this  'I'd recommend following and, importantly, reading and commenting on as many other blogs as you can manage both in and out of your genre to get inspiration and hopefully reciprocal comments/follows'.  Then on the note of comments - @suburbanmummyuk says 'respond to comments. If Dooce can do it we can too lol'.

• ASK FOR HELP New blogger @bodfortea states 'I have met such wonderful mummy bloggers out here in blogland (including your very good self of course) and people are very willing to help so don't be afraid to ask questions' and fellow new blogger @SAHMLovingIt agrees, '1 piece of essential advice - interact with other bloggers, use the knowledge that's out there'. Use twitter, BMB, Bloggered or any blogger you have interacted with and ask what ever you need to.  We were all new to blogging once and I have never yet had a bad response when I have asked for help. Some people might be too busy to help, but it is not personal, move onto the next person.

• RELAX AND ENJOY BLOGGING @savvymum4 tweeted 'Enjoy blogging, if it is getting a chore its time to have a break'. @lesleyannp1 offers an interesting view 'don't be scared. If people can read a blog about what someones cat ate for breakfast, they'll read about your topic too!'  I must say I have never thought about it in this way before but it is true.  Sometimes a subject is a bore to me but the post in question could get tons of comments - different strokes for different folks they say.  So make sure you use your own original voice.  Be yourself, bringing us nicely onto the next tip...

• @Livingwithkids 'BLOG FROM THE HEART' - Have you noticed what my blog is called?  lol  I always try and be really honest on here and in real life too.  People can tell if everything you say is a put on. @cosmicgirlie agrees, she said 'Write from the heart, for you. Don't worry so much about what everyone else is thinking'. Being true to yourself is so important. @tiddlyompompom states 'be yourself, don't try to be something you're not' and @savvymum4 offers some good advice 'pick a subject you know about and don't just write a post for the sake of it'.

• DON'T FORGET TO LIVE REAL LIFE - I find the really interesting blogs are those where the family have a full and rich life.  If you ever sit at the PC stuck for something to write my advice is to turn the computer off and go and live, you will soon find some good blog fodder! @notesfromhome agrees, saying 'live a full life - do, read, love, so on - and that will give you plenty of inspiration for blogging :)'

• PACE YOURSELF BUT PERSEVERE - @liveotherwise keep writing. Even if you think no one is reading, keep writing but heed @Tonihargis advice 'Pace yourself. Don't blog every day if you won't be able to keep it up'.  This became a popular subject with @3bedroom jumping in too 'I second what @ToniHargis said. I tried to blog everyday except the weekends and burnt myself out for a while' and @cosmicgirlie responded 'Gotta jump on board that one. No WAY do I post every day. Pfffft no'. @mumsmyname independently also tweeted the same 'Dont put too much pressure on yourself to do it daily or weekly, enjoy it and it will just come to you'. @MumVersusKids also commented 'Schedule in some time for blogging and try and do it on a regular basis rather than just as and when you feel you have something to say. (e.g. 8 pm every night, or every Sunday night - whatever!). I know it sounds ridiculous but the biggest risk in blogging is that it is easy to get so wrapped up in writing about your experiences that you are too busy to actually experience them. Your kids will thank you!'

• TIPS FOR WRITING POSTS - Keep a notebook with you at all times suggested @tonihargis @3bedroom @nickie72 and myself @michelletwinmum. While @cosmisgirlie uses her iPhone as a dictaphone.  I admitted to dreaming of my blog and waking to write notes and @3bedroom composes her posts in the shower!  See, we bloggers are a varied bunch! @nickie72 also want to remind you to 'always credit ideas with linkbacks and don't forget to credit photos - even from google'. @crystaljigsaw said 'Don't make your posts too long. There are many interesting blogs out there and people have limited time'. Sorry CJ, this has ended up a long post, so many great tweets to include! Lastly in this section @bodfortea suggests 'Use Reuters for ideas from news stories that you can comment on too'.

• THINK FIRST - Before you hit that publish key think about what it is you are revealing to the world.  Remember blogs are public places that anyone can view (unless you have a private one & then you do not need to be reading this post! lol) I had not thought about this really but @3bedroom remind us that 'unless your friends and family are cool with you using them in posts, don't or ask permission to tell the story'. Lastly @notesfromhome gives us some really good advice and says 'always keep safety in mind, don't reveal too much personal information (there r some crazy people out there).  Unfortunately there are.  Before you start writing your blog make a conscious decision if you will name your children, your partner, if you will show photos and if you will reveal your home town. Just the start of a very long list you need to think about really.

and I leave you with a word of wisdom from @bodfrotea, a new blogger herself. 'Finally get posting! Jump in with both feet and just go for it'.

.....and if I can be of any help, just ask!   Mich x

(If there are particular subjects relevant to new bloggers that you would like to see me post on then leave me a note in the comments and I will endeavour to get to them all)

Sold Out!

So I have started to do the odd review and the odd sponsored post and this seems to be a real hot topic in the blogging world at the moment. I have read a ton of blog posts about this very subject in the last week - can I find any of them now I want to link to them? No, but still..

It seems that people are split into a few camps: those who think bloggers (especially stay at home parents) should be able to earn a small amount from their own blog; those who think it is outrageous and an absolute sell out, that those people doing it are selling their souls to the devil and losing all honesty and integrity; those who feel their blog is more established and have more of a right to the revenue to me made; and lastly of course those who do not blog or just do not care.

I have to say for the record that I fall into the first category. My personal opinion is that everyone has a right to do what makes them happy and what suits their family. If earning a small amount from their blog is right for them then it is OK with me. If I read and feel they have lost their honesty and have sold out to the company, advertising pet insurance when they do not have a pet for example then I just won't read anymore but it is their choose and I won't be chastising them for it!

Many of my readers will fall into the later category, whilst I have some fellow bloggers who stop by and support me many of you are people who I know in real life or in other on-line ventures. I doubt you will be getting involved in a debate as to whether I have lost my marbles and am now 'in bed' with Pizza Hut as I did a sponsored post for them. If you know me at all, you know that I am honest if nothing else, brutally honest many people would say. Very forthright and very open and always talking and writing from the heart.... hence the name of my blog!

So let me assure you dear readers that I will never be doing posts for products I do not engage with nor accepting payments or products for things I do not believe in. If something it sent to me for review and it is rubbish, that is what I will say here. Yes I will try and add a bit of tact but the truth will be told.

Shall I tell you what I plan to do with the money I make from blogging? This is the exciting bit!

All the money that I receive (yes you read that right, ALL) I will be using for good causes. The money I received from the Pizza Hut sponsored post has already been used to start a monthly direct debit to help fund some wonderful work being done with orphans in Malawi by a Christian charity.

As a Christian it is my duty and my honour to be able to share some of the wealth I have with those who have far less. Dh is going to India next February with a Christian Charity to see how he can help out there and many of you know we sponsor a child Carl-Henri in Hiati. Praise the Lord he was well in the earthquake. Who knows what I can do next if I continue to be able to make some money from this blog. So please keep reading and keep commenting as the more traffic and engagement (comments) I have the better the chances of me being offered lucrative promotions.

This is not a selfish plea in the least. I am on fire with excitement to think I might be able to help others via my blog.

So come on tell me, be honest back - what are your thoughts on this?