Live first, blog later – my new blogging schedule

Live first, blog later – my new blogging schedule

I have been blogging now for nearly 18 months and I can confidently say it is my favourite hobby. However, as any fellow bloggers out there will know, blogging is so time consuming. There are always posts to be written, photos to be taken, promotion to be done, comments to read..oh the list goes on. A blogger’s to do list really is endless. With baby number two due to arrive in less than 8 weeks, I am starting to have a serious think about my blog and how I am going to be able to keep it going when I have a newborn as well as Leo to look after. I have decided to create a new blogging schedule in an attempt to be able to keep on writing, even through the sleep deprived and baby brain days.

My new blogging schedule

Every blogger is different and what, how and when people write varies from blogger to blogger. Some people write a new post every day, others only publish something new a couple of times a month and there are bloggers that will only reach for the laptop when inspiration hits. I am not here to tell you the secret to creating the perfect blogging schedule as I don’t think there is one. I am a firm believer in doing what you want when it comes to blogging, it is your blog after all and up to you how often you want to write. Blogging is not a one size fits all kind of deal, we all have different lives and circumstances and what works well for one blogger isn’t necessarily going to work for another. Personally, I like to publish at least one post on the same day every week, I write in advance and I feel relaxed knowing I will always have something ready to go live on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Most weeks I publish between 3-5 posts and, at the minute, I am happy with this. However, I am not sure I can commit to this once baby is here. I no way want to give up blogging but I also don’t want to miss out on any of those precious newborn moments either. Leo is going to need extra attention from me too as I am sure having a new baby in the house and having to share me with his new brother isn’t going to be easy for him.

A new blogging schedule seems like a good solution for me in the build up to baby’s arrival and I will try to stick to it once my boy is here – maybe not in those crazy first couple of weeks after the birth though! I love my blog but given a choice between living my life and writing about it, obviously I am going to choose to live it. My blog will always be here for me when I want it, Leo will only be home with me for one more year before he starts school and we all know how crazily fast baby’s first year whizzes by.

Here it is, my new blogging schedule, coming in to place as of today..

* I will be writing 3 posts a week only.
* One post will be a vlog. My videos will be about the things I would normally write about but chatting to camera is much less time consuming than sitting and writing and requires far less brain power. Lazy maybe, but when the newborn days hit and my mind has once again succumb to baby brain. I think vlogging is a good way for me to still be getting what I have to say out there. I may be wearing sunglasses and be rocking a mum bun though so you can’t see how tired I look!
* New posts will go live on Monday, Wednesday and Friday as usual.
* I will be being more selective with the linkys I join. I am very loyal when it comes to where I link up and I always feel guilty if I miss a week and end up commenting loads the next week to try and make up for it. Most weeks I join in with at least 13 linkys. I love spreading some love around the blogging community and discovering new blogs but reading and commenting on even just the minimum posts takes up a lot of time. From now on I will mix up the linkys I join, instead of trying to make it to them all every week I will link up with a few and then link up with the ones I missed the following week instead.
* My blog newsletter will go live every Friday as usual but instead of creating a new one each week, from now on I will be sending one automatically created by mailchimp using my RSS feed. This will save me about an hour every Friday morning where I could be cuddling my baby or playing games with Leo.
* I am looking for guest bloggers to come and feature on my blog in those inevitable weeks where I will just be too exhausted to string an eligible sentence together. If you are interested in writing a post for me to share over here on Naptime Natter, please get in touch (wendy@naptimenatter.com).
* I will still (hopefully!) be working with brands, writing reviews and interesting sponsored content. However, if I am lucky enough to have lots of brand work lined up I will make sure only one sponsored post/review is published a week. Whilst I absolutely love working with brands, it is still important to me that the majority of my blog content is born from ideas that are completely my own and posts mostly centre around my family and experiences. One sponsored post/review a week to two personal posts seems like the perfect formula to me.

That’s it. There are not many dramatic changes but hopefully this new schedule will free up some of my time. I think this tiny step back from blogging is going to make the juggling act of finding that family/writing life balance a little easier. Blogging may be my favourite hobby, it may even be a source of income sometimes but it is in no way my whole life. I love to write but I love spending precious time and creating beautiful memories with my family even more.

Do you have a blogging schedule? What do you find works best for you? Also, bloggers with newborns..how do you do it, seriously?! Oh, does anyone else get linky guilt or is that just me? I would love to hear your thoughts.

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* After my recent blog move from Blogger to Word Press, some of my posts have been left looking a bit strange. I am working my way through everything and sorting out the formatting, hopefully it won’t take me too long! If you come across a post with strange looking formatting please let me know as I might have missed it. Thank you ๐Ÿ™‚ *

 

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54 Comments

  1. August 29, 2016 / 8:34 am

    8 weeks wow so close now, yay! Can not wait to hear of his arrival! I loved you dad tag and how he spoke of Leo being born. I think it is great that you are thinking about what you need and what your family needs, having a new baby is beautiful but also involves not much time for anything but staring into their gorgeous faces, feeding, nappy changes and lots of Leo cuddles too of course. I don’t have a schedule other than getting my #mg linky up for the week, otherwise I post when I can and when I have something to say. I should be more organised but I am not lol, like todays #mg post I only wrote it today, I am so not a planner. In fact hubby and I wonder how we get anything done as we both procrastinate. Plus with kids life is busy, fun but busy! Thanks for linking up lovely, I always love your posts and love that you are taking care of what you need xx
    Mackenzie Glanville recently posted…food, wine, parks and play #mgMy Profile

  2. Rachel (lifeofmyfamilyandme)
    August 29, 2016 / 8:42 am

    13 linkys a week! Wow I’m lucky if I manage 3 lol! I post 3 times a week usually but it’s a hit and miss during the school holidays for me x

  3. Cheryl @ ReimerandRuby
    August 29, 2016 / 8:43 am

    Wow! well done you for being so organized. I don’t have schedule, just anytime when I can. But I try to post at least once a week or two the most, that’s the only time I have. Blogging is so much hardwork and it’s sometimes difficult to juggle it around with family time. #AnythingGoes
    Cheryl @ ReimerandRuby recently posted…Day 5 : Cairngorms Mountain โ€“ our Scottish Highlands AdventureMy Profile

  4. August 29, 2016 / 1:48 pm

    13 linkys wow!you are dedicated! not long to go now, pretty exciting ๐Ÿ˜€ We’ll all be waiting to hear your news ๐Ÿ™‚ my schedule is similiar to yours. i’m trying to be more specific about my content and when my posts go out. you’re right, blogging takes up so much time. Having a new born will change things dramatically #mg

  5. August 29, 2016 / 4:22 pm

    I think you’re amazing and a Superwoman Take it slow. 13 linkups – just thinking of that feels exhausting. Take care of yourself, love. You said it – live first, blog later. Hugs. #mg
    Vidya Sury recently posted…Good Vibes Only! #GratitudeCircleMy Profile

  6. August 29, 2016 / 6:48 pm

    I think that everyone has a schedule that is best for them, and putting your family first is the most important thing. With four children I manage to post once a week and link up to as many linkies as possible. I post on IG every day if I have something to share, sometimes more if we are busy, sometimes not at all if we aren’t. I’m not the kind of blogger who will post just for the sake of it, I take very little notice of stats or followers, I blog because I love to write about my family, but spending time with them will ALWAYS be more important! #mg
    five little doves recently posted…Surviving the six week holidaysโ€ฆ.My Profile

  7. August 29, 2016 / 9:45 pm

    I know exactly what you mean about linky guilt. I always feel so bad if I can’t link up every week, but I kept gradually adding to the number of linkies that I was doing to the point that it was becoming unmanageable with two little ones. Like you I now try to alternate and so I’m rarely at the same linky two weeks on a row, but I do as much as I can and I think that’s all any of us can do. We always love it when you link up with us at #fartglitter, but totally understand – and we’ll be here for you whenever you can make it so that we can read all about Leo and your new bundle of fun when the time comes! Not long now. Thanks for joinging in #fartglitter ๐Ÿ™‚ xx

  8. Lou
    August 30, 2016 / 8:19 am

    It is so exciting for you at this time of your lives and you are so right to prioritise and your commitments still sound quite high to your blog so you must be very driven. I have felt the same with the children over the school holidays and there has to be a case of living first then blogging not bloggging to live which is so easy to do considering it is fun, we enjoy it and the blogosphere world and all that comes with it is so addictive. Wishing you every luck for the new arrival and enjoy it!! ๐Ÿ™‚ #mg Lou

  9. Cheryl @ ReimerandRuby
    August 30, 2016 / 8:22 am

    visiting again from #TwinklyTuesday

  10. August 30, 2016 / 9:44 am

    Can’t wait to see your baby photo when the little one arrives. My kids are all at school now, but before that I found making time for blogging hard. I normally did it when they were having a nap or in the evenings. #TwinklyTuesday
    Natasha Mairs recently posted…Flowers from Beards & Daisies + giveawayMy Profile

  11. August 30, 2016 / 9:58 am

    That sounds like a really sensible plan – I agree that linkys can be really time consuming, but I think mixing them up is a great idea and will mean that you won’t be missing out on your favourites. I don’t have a set schedule but I try to post 4 times a week at the minute – like you say though, whatever works for your personal circumstances. Exciting times ahead for you! xx #TwinklyTuesday
    Mum in Brum recently posted…A new addition to my home office + win a stylish office chairMy Profile

  12. August 30, 2016 / 5:20 pm

    Hats off to you for going for 3 a week with a newborn. I only do 2 a week now. I’m comfortable with that and I feel I can have a couple of weeks in advance scheduled and be safe in the knowledge I don’t have to be in a mad panic. Having said that, my blog post this week is quite the contrary.
    Good luck with the new schedule and of course with the imminent arrival of your little one. #fartglitter

  13. August 30, 2016 / 10:28 pm

    Sounds very sensible. I find blogging very time consuming, super satisfying but at the end of the day life has to come first as you so rightly point out. Now I’m working again I’ve cut down to about 3 posts a week which feels much more manageable than posting every day as I was before. It is also making me focus more on the quality of my conten. I do miss joining into linkys though and have been trying to focus on that again recently. Good luck with baby number 2! xx #twinklytuesday
    All about a Mummy recently posted…Free Baby Shower Games PrintablesMy Profile

  14. Claire
    August 31, 2016 / 8:35 am

    8 weeks! So exciting! You have some serious linky commitment! I think a blog schedule is a good idea, I’m often up far too late in the night typing or commenting away when I should be asleep! #bloggerclubuk

  15. Oana - Blondie Mommy
    August 31, 2016 / 8:43 am

    8 weeks to go. How time flies:) I’m new at mommy blogging and I try doing my best. #FartGlitter

  16. August 31, 2016 / 9:13 am

    This is a great post Wendy. At the end of the day we could spend most of the day blogging but we do have families (and jobs and ourselves!) to look after. I think you have to be quite disciplined so it doesn’t take over your weekly life! I tend to allocate two evenings a week to writing posts. when I can I like to post on certain day. I love my Instagram so there could be 2-3 posts a day as people seem to like them. I also make use of my train journey time as I work part-time. I like that you’ve thought of some ways to use your time carefully. I know when Baby Munch arrived (our second little one), things went a bit crazy for a while as we were juggling two little girls in the house! All the best and make sure you make time for you too! x Sunita #bloggerclubuk
    Sunita recently posted…Lucky Things Baby: Meet the MAM Max the Frog TeetherMy Profile

  17. MayB Today
    August 31, 2016 / 9:42 am

    New to blogging this week, so just creating my schedule. This post has given me some great ideas to keep the balance right. Ta love x #bloggerclubuk

  18. August 31, 2016 / 11:15 am

    exciting times! I join ALOT of linkies too and it is hard to measure ROI really! id def be interested in guest posting ๐Ÿ™‚ #twinklytuesday
    emma me and b recently posted…How to Make a Gruffalo CrumbleMy Profile

  19. Katy - Hot Pink Wellingtons
    August 31, 2016 / 11:31 am

    I’m also a three times a week poster, I find that’s a good blog / life balance for me. I’m in awe of your linky participation though – I tend to find the time for around 3/4 per week. Mixing up your linkys sounds a great way to keep up with them all still though – I’m the same with Linky guilt, I hate if I miss one of my regulars! Best of luck with balancing it all, and I’m so looking forward to hearing all the news of your new arrival soon! #bloggerclubuk

  20. August 31, 2016 / 2:28 pm

    I post four times a week and aim to vlog once a month – hats off to you for aiming for once a week!! They say a mother’s work is never done, well a blogger’s work is never done either!! #fartglitter
    Crummy Mummy recently posted…5 of the best wooden toys for kidsMy Profile

  21. August 31, 2016 / 3:35 pm

    It’s getting close now ๐Ÿ™‚ I agree, I think managing the schedule that works for you will help you manage your blog but also make sure you keep enjoying it, you don’t want it to become too onerous especially with a little one soon to join the world. Your schedule sounds great and I can’t wait to see your content! #bloggerclubuk
    blabbermama recently posted…Nursery: The essentials to pack and ponder!My Profile

  22. August 31, 2016 / 5:49 pm

    Sounds like a great idea – 8 weeks to go, so exciting! I recently set myself a bit more of a schedule as I was started to get a bit overwhelmed and constantly feel like I have to be writing more and more. Now I post once a day Mon-Wed and then post a vlog on Fridays and it’s working well ๐Ÿ™‚ I think as you say you just need to find a balance that works for you…hope the rest of your pregnancy goes well lovely xx #anythinggoes
    Bridie By The Sea recently posted…Picnics Galore with Bibetta’s Lunch BagMy Profile

  23. August 31, 2016 / 10:01 pm

    Aw how exciting, not long to go now. I completely understand about not wanting your blog to suffer but still wanting to spend quality time with your children. I suck at organising my blog, but I know my baby will only be this little once so I’m making the most of it and blogging when I can. I’ve only just started to join linkys, I don’t even know 13! Ha. Great post and good luck xo

  24. September 1, 2016 / 8:43 am

    My blogging schedule is very similar at the moment and is working well but think I need to cut back again even more. It’s a fun hobby and difficult to keep up with it all! Good luck with your new arrival! #bloggerclubuk
    Karen: TwoTinyHands recently posted…Good Bye #ABrandNewDayMy Profile

  25. September 1, 2016 / 10:25 am

    Great post. I wish I could be organised enough to set up a schedule! You seem to have a really good one here. I tend to post 1-3 times per week but this does vary, especially when it comes to that writers block I often suffer from! Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy #ablogginggoodtime
    Rach recently posted…Top 10 BiscuitsMy Profile

  26. Jennifer
    September 1, 2016 / 12:16 pm

    Great post. I have a schedule of twice per week, but am seriously considering cutting back to once a week. I have four children and #5 will be coming in December. You seem to be very organized with blogging, This is something that I am currently working on. #ablogginggoodtime

    • Wendy
      Author
      September 3, 2016 / 7:58 am

      Oh wow, how do you do it? I struggle to blog with one child let alone 5! Cutting back to one post a week wouldn’t be the end of the world and I’m sure your regular readers wouldn’t mind one bit xx

  27. September 1, 2016 / 2:35 pm

    Some great strategies. The vlog idea sounds like a good one for busy or tiring times. I’m not a planner at all. I just wait for the ideas to pop into my head and if they come with enough urgency they get written. I get my ideas while relaxing and reading a book or out walking, and then it just pores out. A bit random but somehow it seems to work! #ablogginggoodtime

    • Wendy
      Author
      September 3, 2016 / 7:55 am

      That sounds like a great way to blog! I always have soo many ideas and that’s why I have to write in advance other wise my head would explode haha. I do have some posts that just come to me and demand to be written straight away, especially if I’m feeling particularly stressed/excited about something.xx

  28. Rachel Bustin
    September 1, 2016 / 9:17 pm

    Sounds like a great plan. I hardly blogged at all for a month after my baby was born back in February. I felt it was too important to miss those first few weeks. Plus when the baby slept so did I, so no time for bloggin then! Now I blog mostly in the evenings or late at night.

    I need to come up with a serious schedule for when I go back to work next month. At the moment I’ve been blogging betwwen 6 and 7 days a week.

    Good luck with the new baby! xx

    #ablogginggoodtime
    Rachel Bustin recently posted…Review & Giveaway: The Poppy Pym Series by Laura WoodMy Profile

    • Wendy
      Author
      September 3, 2016 / 7:52 am

      I think the first month will be the same for me Rachel, I think I will struggle with 3 posts a week..maybe they will mostly be pictures!haha. Good luck coming up with your blog schedule and with your return to work xx

  29. September 1, 2016 / 9:27 pm

    Love the blogging shedule! It’s something I really should think about doing but my blogging has been so minimal over the summer. I found out I was pregnant so in theory it should have given me loads of things to blog about but I’ve had no energy in the evenings! By the time my 3 yr old has gone to bed I’m ready to snooze on the sofa ๐Ÿ˜‰ Good luck with the impending new arrival! xx #twinklytuesday

    • Wendy
      Author
      September 3, 2016 / 7:51 am

      Haha, I know how you feel Elaine. It takes so much effort for me to blog in the evenings and during my first trimester I just wanted to sleep all the time! Congratulations on your pregnancy ๐Ÿ™‚ xx

  30. September 2, 2016 / 9:19 am

    It’s always good to have a plan. Blogging has been encroaching a bit on my everyday life recently so I’ve decided to not join any linkies on a weekend. Like you say, everybody needs to work out what works for them. I hope this new decision works for you. #TheList
    Lucy (@Lucy_at_home) recently posted…30 Reasons Why I Love Being A Young MumMy Profile

    • Wendy
      Author
      September 3, 2016 / 7:47 am

      That’s a good idea Lucy. I only join in 2 on a weekend but I might drop that down to one. Thanks, I hope it works out too but I feel a may be being a bit ambitious trying to write 3 post a week with a newborn!xx

  31. September 2, 2016 / 9:29 am

    Wow 13 linkys that’s commitment! Sounds like a great idea to have a schedule, but don’t worry if you don’t stick to it. Life with a newborn and another little one to look after is tough. No one is going to mind if you miss a post or 2! Take care of yourself and your family first, your readers will still be here. X #TheList
    Laura – dear bear and beany recently posted…A Snapshot of…AugustMy Profile

    • Wendy
      Author
      September 3, 2016 / 7:46 am

      Aww thanks Laura. Yes I am not going to be too strict once baby is here, I am fully expecting to be a zombie for at least a month! I will try my best with my blog and hopefully I won’t disappear completely. I know, I think 13 linkys is probably too many..I just love reading blogs though ๐Ÿ™‚ xx

  32. September 2, 2016 / 1:53 pm

    I dont have an schedule especially lately when holidays started. But when school will start I usually do blog before my son wakes up and when he is in school. It does take so much time to be honest. #ablogginggoodtime
    Merlinda Little (Glimmer of Hope) recently posted…Photo FridayMy Profile

    • Wendy
      Author
      September 3, 2016 / 7:43 am

      I can imagine it is hard for parents who are used to blogging when their kids are in school and then having the holidays with hardly any time to blog. I couldn’t blog first thing in the morning so well done you, my brain doesn’t function properly until about 10am!xx

  33. September 2, 2016 / 3:29 pm

    Sounds lie you’re all organised! You’re right about blogging being so time consuming – it’s easy to slip into a place where you are blogging more than you are living.
    I’d be happy to write a guest post for you, send me an email if you’re interested ๐Ÿ™‚
    Thanks for linking up to #AnythingGoes ๐Ÿ™‚
    Debbie
    Random Musings recently posted…Blogger Spotlight: Organised JoMy Profile

    • Wendy
      Author
      September 3, 2016 / 7:40 am

      I would LOVE for your to guest post Debbie, I will send you an email later. Oh yes I totally agree, I could definitely spend all day everyday blogging but that is not what I want for my life. It could be so very easy to do it though, I wonder if blog addiction is a thing?!xx

  34. Claire
    September 2, 2016 / 7:34 pm

    This is a great idea, I’m back to work at the end of next month and will need to be organised with my schedule! (#kcacols fb group)

    • Wendy
      Author
      September 3, 2016 / 7:36 am

      I can imagine being a work does mean having to be even more organised with blogging as you have less time to do it. I’m lucky I don’t have to work, I have no idea how I could find the time otherwise xx

  35. September 2, 2016 / 10:19 pm

    I like your realism as you say, with a new baby coming on board Blogging is abut utting lide first and then getting it down onto your blog second!
    Best of luck with the new schedule and the baby
    xx
    xx
    #TheList

    • Wendy
      Author
      September 3, 2016 / 7:35 am

      Thank you! I am not sure how well I will be able to stick to this when baby comes but I am going to try my best xx

  36. September 3, 2016 / 7:04 am

    A blogging schedule sounds like such a good idea! At the moment I seem to spend quite a lot of my time either thinking about posts or trying to read other posts but not getting as much done because there are so many things I want to do! You’ve definitely inspired me to come up with a blogging schedule – I think that will help me hugely! #ablogginggoodtime
    The Newby Tribe recently posted…Dear Teacher: Things Iโ€™d like you to know.My Profile

    • Wendy
      Author
      September 3, 2016 / 7:33 am

      I was blogging before I started using a schedule and now I couldn’t live with out one, it definitely helps keep me organised. Good luck creating your own, I hope you can start putting all your amazing ideas into posts ๐Ÿ™‚ xx

  37. September 3, 2016 / 9:26 pm

    I think I need to be a bit more organised with a schedule – yours seems very sensible. I really hope all goes smoothly in these last few weeks of pregnancy. #ablogginggoodtime. x
    Mindful Mummy Mission recently posted…Being Mindful about MindsetsMy Profile

  38. September 5, 2016 / 7:16 am

    This was perfect for me to read today! I am looking at putting together a realistic schedule and this has helped. You little super star you <3 xx #TheList

  39. September 5, 2016 / 7:48 am

    Oooo I love this! I am just over a week away from my due date and really haven’t planned at all haha! Other than trying to get the reviews written that I need to get out because I got way behind. I do have Tuesdays and Thursday when Zach will be at nursery and I’ll be learning to multitask with cuddling/feeding baby and typing hehe! You’ve got a great plan here though so I might take some of it on board myself! Thanks for linking up with #TwinklyTuesday

  40. September 7, 2016 / 7:37 am

    I think it is great you are slowing down and planning a realistic schedule. The hard graft of setting up and establishing is done and now you just need to maintain – its easier in the beginning when they nap alot but when they start to stay awake…. hmmm!
    Thanks for linking to #ablogginggoodtime
    Mummy in a TuTu (@mummyinatutu) recently posted…We took the #WickedUncleChallengeโ€ฆ And SMASHED IT!My Profile

  41. June 18, 2017 / 3:29 pm

    Wow Wendy, I’m amazed by what you get done with two little ones! I struggle to get something out every couple of weeks, lol.