A Blogging Obsession

My name is Vicky. I think I’m addicted to blogging.

I thought for so long about starting up a blog but was always hesitant. I thought it was something which only the cool kids did. As much as I wish that was me, sadly I’ve come to accept it’s not – I’m too socially shy!

I decided to bite the bullet just three weeks ago and launched Monkey's Mummy. There were many reasons why I decided now was the time. We are about to embark on a massive life change and I thought it would be good to have somewhere to log everything that happens. I also want to pursue writing as a career and thought this would be a good way to start.

But now, the bug has well and truly bitten me. I think about my blog all the time. It’s like I have another child – I keep telling my husband about all the new and smart things my lovely little blog has done.

I’ve been amazed and delighted that there are people beyond me and my immediate family who are logging on and having a read. But I’m lost as to whether I’m doing it right.

I’ve read a lot about how your pageview numbers shouldn’t count as a measure of success but then that brands etc. use it as a barometer as to whether you have a good blog which they want to work with.

So if anyone who has a blog is reading this then please let me know – how do you judge the success of your blog?

Mummy Guilt Is Expensive!

Look at that cutie. With his new toys – one in each hand, and three more out of sight, his new cardie and his new slippers. It’s not been his birthday or some other celebratory event. No, this photo is a visual description of Mummy guilt.  

I’m at the end of four days off with Monkey. Having constantly beat myself up for being apart from him so often I sincerely want to treasure these moments and make them fun for him.  

And that’s been costing me because everywhere we have gone I have brought him something as a memento of the fun we have had together.  

What am I doing? He is hardly going to remember the trips we have been on, particularly since they included Homebase and Asda!. He is equally never going to remember enough to relate these toys to the trip and the fun that we had together. So, why do I do it? 

It’s not that I see spending money as a sign of love but it is one way I can make the working absence work for the both of us. Yes, I’m off five days a week but that gives me the money to be able to treat him. It’s not really much but it’s something which we will go home with and he will play for and enjoy for weeks to come.  

He might not get the reasons behind it but I do.

Bribery

I’ve come to realise over the last few difficult days that the only tool I have in my parenting armour is bribery.

As I have struggled with a lack of sleep, a hyper cheeky non-sleeping toddler and no hubby for support – I’ve been pulling out the big guns in the bribery stakes. In the last couple of hours alone I’ve said: 

"I’ll take your new toys away."

"I’ll leave you at home."

"You won’t get to see Nana and Grandad."

"I’ll put you to bed."

"You won’t get pudding. "

I literally know no other way of getting Monkey to do something that I want him to do. A stern voice is met with a smirk from him. A request to come here is met with a sprint which would rival Usain Bolt. And don’t even think of asking him to eat his dinner – that will see you having to show lightening reflexes to grab the plate as he tries to slide it off the table.  

Monkey is a good boy and everyone always comments on how cute he is. The problem is that he knows he is cute and he plays on it.  

The moral of this story is that I am lost as to how I am supposed to get a 2 year old to comply without the threat of removing something which he likes. What I am trying to do is make him realise that compliance will benefit him in the end. Is this wrong?