source: pinterest.com
I’ve been pondering. I know! It’s gotten me into trouble before.
I’ve been doing this blogging thing for quite a while now. Way before there was a mummy blogging community. Way before I met the uber-cool Nuffnang people. It totally blows me away that some of you have been with me right back when I was blogging on Blogspot!! And for that, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I started way back when as a scrapbooking blogger. Can you believe it?! I used to have a hobby aside of blogging!!
Then I started talking about those I gave birth to, and that turned me into a mummy blogger. I remember talking not that long ago about going back to “my roots” and making this blog more family-related because I felt I was getting a little too commercial. I think I will forever be trying to find ways to make the sponsored posts I take on entertaining as well as informative because, I won’t lie, you either love sponsored content or you hate it and it doesn’t make it easy to love if it sounds like one big badly acted infomercial on a morning show. Whoever said this blogging gig was easy wasn’t doing it right 
source: makemethink.imgfave.com
But lately I have been thinking about what’s going to happen when those I gave birth to don’t want me talking about them on the interwebs any more. How old does your youngest child need to be when you aren’t considered a mummy blogger any more?
And I know that I’m still a mum and a blogger so that still makes me a mummy blogger.
Miss Annabelle starts primary school next year. And I made an agreement with my head that when she started “big school”, I would quietly slip out of that “mummy blog” niche and re-establish myself as a *insert word here* because “vanity blogger” might be copywritten (is that a word?) by Danimezza. Heh.
Before I get stuck on a Top 50 washed out mummy bloggers list *snort*
So, I guess this is a heads up.
It’s not to say that I won’t be talking about being a mum. Because I still am, obviously. But it will probably be more about me BEING a mum instead of stories about my children, if you know what I mean.
And the change will be taken over some time. We still have a few months before I’ll be blubbering like an idiot at the school gate because my baby has left me!
*snort*
But I think it’s time to be more Tina, and less mum, wife and housewife….on this blog anyway. My children, especially my teenagers, are old enough to tell their own stories. The issue of their privacy arose and I respect that. And to be honest, I don’t want the younger ones going to school and their friends teasing them because they get blogged about.
I want this to be MY happy place. I want to be able to talk about what I love (or hate), and not feel obligated to share snippets of my family life just because that’s what mummy bloggers do. It is called Tina Gray {dot} ME after all
Someone please tell me that you know what I mean, because even as I’m writing this, I’m thinking I’m not making sense to myself.
Hoping you’ll still come along on the ride.
And what does one do when they are doing a total head swap? They get a total bloggy makeover! Watch this space *squeeeee*
.jpg)
{ 27 comments }
Remembering our children's privacy (who didn't really have choice whether we blogged about them or not) is such an important point Tina. I'm sure it's going to be hard not to write about them but I honestly think you are doing the right thing. It's difficult to separate a mum from her children, even in blog posts. They are the center of our world for so long! I am, however, very much looking forward to hearing more about you, your dreams and thoughts.
It makes perfect sense xo
*sigh* I always feel guilty when I read posts like this. I know I blog a lot about my kids and I do worry that it will be detrimental. At the moment, if there is something i want to blog, that involves one of the teenagers I ask permission but still, my kids are all in school, so perhaps I shouldn't blog about them any more. My issues though. I think it's wonderful you're going to blog more about you. If I wrote about me I don't think anyone would read. I'll definitely be reading along as you go through your transformation.
I think it makes total sense and the blog shift is similar to the whole transition that we mothers face as the kids go to school and we have to decide to continue at home or return to "something" else – the something is very hard to figure out. It took me 1 1/2 years of reflection to find my direction and was one of the few still at home with no kids there in the daytime (was great for a year). Even if a person does not believe their whole identity was wrapped up in their kids, there is a big shift in life that occurs when the last one hits school age. Our roles, even at home, shift…
I look forward to following wherever you head (for the sponsored posts – just avoid sounding like those "totally 'unscripted', i swear it is true" infomercials/testimonials" – no bullshit! just you.
You're like 10 steps ahead of me! I hadn't even thought about what becomes of mummy bloggers once the kids are all at school.. Can't wait to see where your blog emerges as and I'll be blubbering alongside of you next February when Ally (5) starts kindy.
Great stuff Tina! As i said on twitter I'm in the process of doing the same thing, there'll still be a little bit of kid stuff because my kids are still little but it's going to be more a Louisa space than anything else. Exciting!
bring it.
Excellent post Tina. You are going to excel at whatever you take on because you are that kind of person.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
I. Know. What. You. Mean!
Excited for you xxxx Go for it.
Woot Woot!!!! Go girl! Your blog, you write about whatever you want. And yeah, you are making sense! I tend to leave the teenagers alone on my blog too because some of their friends are Facebook friends of mine and as a result MAY click through to one of my posts. And I'm sure the teens don't want stuff about them out there for all to see. Only good stuff. Most of mine is about Megan because that's who I spend most of my time with. I can't blog much about work because what it could potentially cost me my job if I say something that is bad for the company or if something is interpreted at the opinion of Woollies. I LOVE your blog – it's the first one I read when I get my emails each post. I'm definitely coming along for the ride! xx
We want to see more of the ME in Tina Gray too !!! Look forward to your makeover ! Squeeeeeee
This all makes complete sense! I'll still be following along for the ride and I can't wait to see your makeover. As they say, a change is as good as a holiday
I've never really blogged about my kids, only the occasional post here and there. My blog has always been about me, about my personal issues, struggles and victories. (Which is perhaps why I haven't been very appealing to advertisers
)
I'm not comfortable with being called a mummy blogger, I am a ME blogger, even though I sometimes write about parenting. I am ME first, parent second.
Good on you, Tina!
Well, while Im a mother and a blogger, my blog really is more about ME. What I think (about parenting MY children, being married to MY husband, my illnesses, social issues, news, blogging etc). I know the people 'in the know' tell me I"m wrong and I need to find a niche. I've decided against it. My blog is my blog and it's just going to have to live or die that way. I've decided if I get nothing more from N.uffnang, then so be it. Maybe I'm really not cut out to appeal to marketers.
Personally, I can't wait for more "Tina". It's my favourite thing about you, after all.
hehehe a change is as good as a holiday lovely
cant wait to see what you start writing about and even more so your new blog makeover!
xx
Congrats on putting this out there Tina. It is always scary to do so. Really looking forward to where the blog will go. Good luck!
(have never seen Anchorman, but apparently this would be an apt quote given your last picture…) I like lamp.
Can't wait to see the changes, bring it on!!
That's okay, it is your space. I'll read no matter what you write here tins!
Hi Tina I totally *get* this. Hey, one day my blog title will seem redundant ?. You do what you want – it's your space. J x
I love a good blog makeover.
Moving away from mummy blogging as your children grow is a natural progression and a gradual one, so I doubt your readers will notice the shift, but rather, grow with you as your content changes.
I'll look forward to seeing YOU x
Understand 100%. Go for goals that Tina kicks for Tina!!! Love your work… Your insight… Your experience … You are the quintessential blogger. Cannot wait to see this makeover!!! Denyse… Xx
Really excited to see the new look Tina Gray dot ME! I think what you're doing makes perfect sense, everything must evolve
I’ve started to think about this too as my son gets older. I dont want to be responsible for anything that might cailise him to feel embarassed but then im reminded isn’t that my job? Lol no not really.
Funny thing is he did something totally funny and random the other day, cracked himself laughing and said” if I had a blog I’d totally blog this!” Haha I laughed so hard
i wonder where he’s heard that? good luck with the transformation I’m sure you’ll do fine!
Fiona @ oh gorgeous bany recently posted..‘Big Day Out’ for kids – Rhymes Kids Music Festival
I think it sounds great Tina! You are more than just a mum- and I don't mean that in a bad way. I think at the end of the day, your readers come here for you anyway so you might as well share more of that!
Can't wait to read more.
Oh I totally get what you mean. This is one issue that has been playing on my mind too. I feel like I am betraying my children sometimes by using photos of them, and telling their stories, and I have been semi-conscious of writing less about my older daughter now that she is at school.
I'd love to see how you transition out of being a Mummy-Blogger, as I realise this will be my path too one day.
I can't wait to see where you go. You have been an inspiration to so many, and I am sure whatever changes you make – you will continue to inspire
xx
Well done Tina, go for it! Look forward to seeing the changes.