5 Reasons Dad Blogs Fail
- The writer has another kid, and finds it more prudent so feed, bathe, and attend to the new baby.
- Life gets busy - The kids start getting involved in sports, dance, music, etc. and now the dad is the chauffeur.
- The kids start getting ignored - Instead of actually being a dad, the writer is too busy writing about what it's like to be dad.
- Loss of interest - Blogs take time to develop (unless you're an all-star), and many writers simply lose interest.
- Chasing the money - While there are many bloggers that make good money, there are many more who don't. If the bloggers heart isn't in it, it will show up in the writing
I hope you never see the above start to happen at simplefather.com. If you do, feel free to call me out on it, because I'd like to be in it for the long haul. Maybe down the road I can switch over to simplegrandfather.com, and show grandparents how to spoil their grandchildren.
photo courtesy of phobia
I agree with you on these points, especially #5. I'm getting involved in my first product review and felt conflicted about it for weeks. Fortunately Tyler did such a bang up job on the HP review that it gave me confidence to do one and not feel like I was selling out to get something. I hope that I don't lose momentum if we have child #2, but some drop off is inevitable.
I think I'm somewhat fortunate because I started blogging after we had our second child, so I didn't know what it was like before. Congrats on the product review. I'm glad that you want to give a good honest opinion, and not just what the company wants to say.
Thanks for the list to look out for. As a new dad and new dad blogger I know 1 - 4 may come to get me at some point. Hopefully, having this in the back of my mind will keep me from letting these obstacles prevent continued postings. I can already see where balancing everything else to do and writing will not always be easy. I'm not in this for $ so #5 so that won't be my downfall.
It's definitely not always easy, I'm only about 6 months in and there are times when I'm just wore out, and I know it shows up in my writing.
We're 2 years into the blogging thing and still going semi-strong. Sometimes, we might have only 2 posts/week, but we try to make sure that they're good ones.
That's the thing I'm struggling with the most right now is trying to post quality stuff yet keep my schedule. Hopefully in 2 years I'll be able to say that I'm still going strong too.
Thanks for stopping by!
I noticed that the time I was able to devote to my Daddy blog pretty much disappeared when our second child was born. Trying to juggle our family Nd both parents working takes a lot out of me. I need some personal time to unwind after both kids are in bed. I used to write blog posts when it was just our son. I am trying to get envolved again with blogging and have been using Twitter more to update on my daddy issues etc. I have a list of potential blog topics that I need to write. Thanks for this article. It is encouraging to me!
Sorry for Any typos trying to comment from iPhone and still getting used to typing
I know how you feel with the wind down time. It seems that no matter how late the kids go to bed (if we're out and about), I need some time just to sit and chill.
I hope you can find some time to keep writing... you've got good stuff on your blog, and I really dig the design.
You have a nice list of principles and/or conditions that are principle based that ring true to any family blogger. I too started my dad blog after my second child and spend after hours or nap time blogging to make sure that my children are my priority. The other piece that one has to be conscientious of is making time for the Mrs. as well. My blogging schedule varies because of this and my content, well, its part of the craft and hobby as I am "working on it". -Jason
Time for the Mrs. is big.... far too easy to neglect. Also, I'm confident with practice my content will improve. As you said, it's part of the craft, and definitely takes work.
Great list! I can really relate to it. Especially #'s 2 and 3. I find myself thinking "oh if I put in a video I can write a post..." I'm still trying to find the balance.
Bruce, good luck finding a balance. I have a feeling for me it'll be a constant struggle, but will be worth it in the end. If nothing else, I'll have something I can show my kids to embarrass them.
Great list, short and sweet. It is always a balancing act with family and blogging. Family always comes first, and don't over extend yourself with blogging. You don't have to post every day to be successful. I try to post every 2-3 days and I don't have a hard time writing posts with that time frame.
Being a stay at home dad, I get to casually post, when I feel like it, or when the kid lets me LOL...I am never concerned with being on top, being first or being the best, I just like to write about our happenings with our little one...spoiled myself i guess LOL
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