Soon after I embarked upon this blog project, I realized that keeping a blog going requires much more than just sitting down and writing blog posts. I was surprised to realize that most bloggers spend a great deal of time on social media promoting their posts and engaging with followers. Suddenly, I found I was “that person”. You know, the person who can’t put their smartphone down for a single second. Previously, I had secretly scoffed at such people. Can’t they disconnect and interact with the real world? I self-righteously thought to myself. Now it seemed I was one of those people, and I didn’t want to be. (Although now I can relate and will no longer be a secret scoffer!) I needed to put my phone down and work on maintaining relationships with my family.
***Disclaimer: This post contains an affiliate link, which means as an affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.***
Maintaining Relationships With My Frustrated Family
While I worked to engage with followers, my family became frustrated at my lack of engagement with them. I desperately sought solutions. I searched for ways to interact with followers, write blog posts, and be present in the moment with my family. Here are some strategies that helped me, and maybe they will be useful to you as well if you are struggling with the same dilemma.
Set Limits on Social Media
Ironically, it was my youngest who was the most vocal about the vast amount of time I was spending on my smartphone. Perhaps because his father and I had given him a hard time about spending too much time on his phone. As a result, he might have become more sensitive to this issue. Either that, or he was glad to have someone else take the heat for too much screen time. He was the one who suggested that I limit my time on social media. He even showed me how to access the setting on my phone to schedule downtime from certain apps. I haven’t chosen to do that yet, because I have a built-in limitation every day when I’m at work. All social media sites are blocked in my workplace (a school), and I’m glad. For now, I get up early in the mornings and try to limit my social media time to half an hour, then I go about the rest of my day. In the evenings, I now limit myself to half an hour as well. So far, that seems workable for everyone.
Work on Blog Business When Family is Not Around
The second strategy I employed to maintain relationships was to schedule blog business when I was not around my family. In addition to getting up earlier in the mornings, I have also been able to take care of a few blog tasks briefly during work breaks. Even though I can’t access social media at work, I am able to access WordPress, check my blog email, and answer comments. I am also able to access Canva to design graphics. Sometimes I stay a bit later at work, but if I can get some of those tasks done when I’m not with my family, it makes a world of difference.
When I work out at our local athletic club, I access and engage on social media. That’s why many of my Instagram story posts have the exercise bike console in the background! Since I try to work out about three times a week, I am able to complete tasks pretty consistently.
Take Advantages of Unexpected Opportunities to Get Ahead
Every once in a while these days, I find myself at home alone. Sometimes the guys will be out doing a “guy thing” on a weekend, and I have an extended block of time to myself. When those times arise, I try to get a little ahead on my blog posts. As I write this, for example, I already have three other posts written and saved as drafts. Those were posts I was able to compose during an extended block of alone time. Now, I feel less pressured. I’m still trying to keep up with writing two posts a week, but just knowing that I have a few posts ready gives me great peace of mind. I know I won’t have to spend time disengaged from my family while I rush to meet a self-imposed deadline.
What About You?
Even though I’ve found some strategies that have worked for maintaining the relationships with my family so far, I’d sure appreciate any wise words you might care to share. Do any of you have advice for me? What has worked well for you? I can use all of the help I can get, and I value your input immensely. If this post has been helpful and you like what you have read today, please consider subscribing. I have an entire library of free resources just waiting for you, including this free ebook about some fun tech tools.
Have a super week, and may you be able to balance your family engagement with your follower engagement in a way that works for you.
Related posts:
- Infographic Design Made Easy with Easelly
- A Fun Video Creation Tool for Bloggers: Powtoon
- 5 Free Movie Making Apps for Busy Bloggers
- 5 New Blogger Worries and What to do About Them
- How to Quickly Improve Site Speed
Good advice because blogging and keeping up can be overwhelming. Can’t seem to take a day off or you fall behind.
Mike,
I’m finally getting to the place where I don’t feel so chained to my phone or social media. A lot of that is due to Pinterest and being able to schedule pins ahead of time. Thanks for your comment, and good luck finding the balance!
Lisa
Glad to find this post today! I’m trying to figure out a schedule that helps me get things done. And not ignore my family. I find myself saying “Give me 10 more minutes too often. ” Thank you for the tips and for letting me know I’m not the only one 🙂
Ana,
No, you are definitely not the only one! I am constantly looking for ways to blog smarter, not harder. I’ll continue to pass along any tips I stumble upon, and I’d love to learn your tips as well! Thanks so much for your comment.
Lisa
I have a high needs toddler who doesn’t go to nursery. He is my own little shadow and we are together almost 24 hours a day.
I experience a lot of guilt when he plays by himself or watches the telly because mum is busy on the laptop. *sigh*
I realised if I wanted to get rid of that guilt, I needed to take action. So I downloaded the Toggl extension on Chrome and activated the Pomodoro Technique.
I am only allowed to work on my blog for 25 minutes at a time. In between, I spend a great many minutes giving my son the attention he requires. I’ve done four 25-min stretches of work max and am pleasantly surprised to see how much I accomplish.
In that time, I can usually start, edit and schedule a post as well as create a new pin to accompany said post.
Before I used this, I was also dilly dallying and taking twice as long to finish my tasks.
I’ve also taught my son to say, “Mum, too much. I need your attention,” when needed. When he says this (rarely happens), I switch off and go to him.
After all, I am a mom first and a mom blogger second. 😊
Maybe these steps can also help? It’s so difficult to juggle everything. 😅
Jade,
Wonderful ideas! I tried the Pomodoro Technique by just setting a timer, but the app sounds much better. Good for your son for letting you know when to put the technology away. Thanks so much for sharing your ideas. Good luck with all of your blogging endeavors!
Lisa
You’ve created a great schedule that works for you and that’s so important! My kids are grown so I don’t have that concern. I set aside time in the evenings to spend with my husband or if he’s watching something on tv I sit nearby and work on blog stuff. We are at least in the same room and chat.
Cindy,
I will soon be an empty-nester, and I like your idea of scheduling time in the evenings to spend in the same room with your husband. I try to do the same thing. I’m usually not interesting in the shows he likes to watch, so, as you noted, at least we are in the same room! It sounds as if you have found a strategy that works well for you. Thanks so much for sharing, and have a super week!
Lisa
These are great reminders for me. Since I’ve started working toward building my blog and social media accounts, I have really had to set boundaries about when, and for how long I will spend on that, and when it’s time to stop and be with my family.
I also really like your tip about creating content ahead of time to be used later. I actually just started using Post Planner for this. It’s super affordable and saves me a lot of stress and worry about being consistent on my social media.
Jess,
Thanks so much for the tip about Post Planner. I’ll have to check that out. I can use all of the help I can get to stay ahead of the curve and get things done in advance. Have a super weekend, and good luck with all of your many blogging tasks!
Lisa
A very realistic post Lisa! Blogging requires a lot of your effort and time and sometimes you don’t even realize just how many hours you spend on-screen. Great tips! Xx
Safa,
Thank you for your kind words. I think there are many people who deal with this, so I’m happy to share what works for me! Have a super day!
Lisa
I experienced and agree with all of your points in this post.
Few months ago I couldn’t imagine how people spend so many hours on their phones, and now I have to stop and take a look around in the real world.
Takimg advantage of the time when my hubby is not at home works really well for me.
Andrea,
It’s good to know I’m not the only one who takes advantage of “alone time” to get onto social media. It’s not that I want my family to be away from me all the time, but, you know what I mean. Those moments of quiet and being able to concentrate are nice! Thanks for your positive response. Have a great day, and good luck with finding some time to get blog tasks accomplished!
Lisa
That’s being very considerate of your family as a busy blogger. That’s what we all need to learn.
Mary,
Well, I’m sure trying to be more considerate. My family is good about giving me gentle (and not so gentle) reminders as well!=) Thanks for your comment. Have a wonderful day!
Lisa
I’m with you, Lisa, I struggle with this as well, in spite of the fact that I’m home alone all day. You’ve got some great ideas. I need to cut down on my evening time.
Wendy,
I certainly go over my time limit on occasion, and my family lets me know about it. It’s all good-natured, but I can tell that they appreciate it when I am not distracted by my phone. Thanks so much for your comments. I really value your input!
Lisa
Great post! So many of us just need to put down the electronics and quiet our minds and focus on listening to those around us!!
Holly,
Yes, and for me, it’s easier said than done. This weekend, I have promised myself I am going to take the time do do something else that has been neglected–reading books for pleasure. Listening is something I’m really trying to improve on as well. Good luck with balancing your blogging along with everything else!
Lisa