I love blogging but it’s pretty hard work and the whole process, from thinking of content, to writing, to organising photos and uploading them, and of course managing social media, takes quite a bit of time. I’ve talked about some of the joys and challenges previously in posts like Behind the Scenes of a Runner Blogger, In Pursuit of Great Content, and 8 Similarities Between Running and Blogging. In today’s blog, I’m highlighting some of the great ways my family supports my blog. If I didn’t have their support, I don’t think I’d be here, 268 blog posts later!
1/ Take Photos: I’ve always wanted a colourful blog with great photos, and this would not be possible without my photography team. From the beginning, Ditiro has taken on the role of photographer with enthusiasm, energy and above all, patience. He has stood in awkward places – either in traffic or on a cliff’s ledge, just to get the perfect shot, and interrupted his own runs so he can try different camera angles and shots, because “I just have to get a photo next to that mural.” He does all this, only to be told on some occasions, “No, that won’t work!” He has been an absolute champion. More recently, my son Thiwa has become my Chief Photographer, sometimes fighting embarrassment at having to stand on the street in his pyjamas to take photos of his mother. His shots are some of my absolute favourites. And once all the photos have been taken, my daughter Kaia labels about 80% of the photos I use for the blog.
2/ Give Feedback. Before I publish a blog, I usually read it to Ditiro or the kids to check for mistakes and get some reactions. They give such constructive feedback, with Ditiro and Kaia’s comments being gentler than Thiwa’s “This is the worst bedtime story ever!” Kaia also comes to me with ideas – “I have a great topic for your blog,” and we chat about how I can put it together.
3/ Feature on My Blog. A blogger spends a lot of time thinking about topics to write – and sometimes it has meant featuring family in various ways. Ditiro has written a few blogs such as how to run with your dog, how to handle roaming dogs on the run, and has even been interviewed on his mountain biking exploits. Kaia has also been on the blog for her MTB adventures (here and here) and featured in the bike cleaning blog written by Ditiro. Other blogs they have featured in include, how to keep kids fit during a lockdown and running mum guilt. I know there are probably more, but these are the ones that come to mind!
4/ Participate in Challenges for Blog Content. Of course, not all our family adventures are for blog content, but many of the fitness ones, have been inspired by the need for content! A recent one is the Three Peaks Challenge where we climbed three peaks in one day. And of course, Ditiro, does the 9×9 Spring Challenge every year in support of the blog.
5/ Market and Comment on my Blog. When they were studying blogging at school a few weeks ago, Kaia told her teacher and class that I was a blogger, and my blog was then shared on the screen for all to see. I had no idea they were even studying blogging and I was so proud, thinking to myself, “Aw! She’s not embarrassed about my blog!” and she seems to love the fact I am a blogger. I’m still quite shy about sharing my blog even after all these years but Ditiro shares and comments on so many of my blogs on social media AND tells everyone he meets that I’m a blogger. People I hardly know will come up to me and say, “Your husband told me about your blog!” Kaia also helps me so much with social media – when we are driving, she will read the comments on Facebook or Instagram, and I’ll tell her what to respond, emojis and all!
Thank you to my awesome family for going above and beyond to support my blog. Trying to get 100 Blogs done this year has been tough and without them, I probably would have given up a long time ago. But here we are at 69! I see you, I appreciate you, I love you.
I’m so excited to be linking up with My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida for Fit Five Friday.
The Gaborone Runner 
Your family look so lovely! How wonderful that they are so supportive of your goals! X
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Thank you Anna! I had an overwhelming sense of gratitude as I was writing this. They all have their own activities to do and yet they help me so much with my blog, so much of it behind the scenes.❤
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It is obvious that you put in a lot of time and thought into your blog. I enjoy reading your posts.
My family and friends have no idea that I blog. I prefer it that way. It’s for me and other runners only.
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Thank you Darlene 😘
My family and friends know I blog but my work colleagues don’t, at least not that I know of 🤣
Well, I for one am glad to be part of your inner running/blogging circle!
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I love how your whole family supports you! It so sweet that Kaia comes up with ideas for you and shared your blog with her class. My boys were never that interested lol!
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I think girls appreciate these things more than boys 🤣
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It’s great that you have such strong support from your family! Mine is hit and miss, LOL. I actually prefer doing most of the work myself, including the photos (most of which are selfies). It might be the art geek in me, but I have a tough time giving up the control and having others photograph me, even if I give explicit instructions regarding camera angle, etc.
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My family, especially the kids are still quite pliable, this may change as the get older!
You take incredible selfies – I need half your independence! I must say there have been times when I have grabbed the camera in absolute annoyance at them not getting the memo 🤣
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I don’t think anyone in my family reads my blog anymore! They do sometimes participate in photos and or take them for me. It’s nice that you have a family affair over there
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I’m enjoying that everyone helps in some way but not sure how much longer they will be interested 🤣 Thiwa enjoys the photography side but cares very little for the actual writing 🤣
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What a lovely post, really heartwarming!
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Thank you! I felt so good writing it too!
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Wow, you have a whole crew! My kids never read my blog, and my husband only reads it occasionally. That’s okay, because I can write what I want- sometimes mentioning my family, heh heh- and they won’t know. Having said that, they’ll be happy to take a picture if I ask, but I’m not always happy with the result! It’s just better if I do it myself.
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Haha! Indeed, a whole crew! Them taking photos was very hit or miss in the early days 🤣 But practice has worked – I do wish I knew how to take better selfies so I could be a bit more independent!
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I love this. I try to leave the fam out of my blog. I do ask for help with photos and for them to join me at certain events, but I try to keep things as non-disruptive to our lives as I can. They aren’t social media people, so it’s the compromise we have.
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And this way your blog is something that is all yours – like a personal space to just be!
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Love reading about how you & your family run & blog together- that’s awesome! ❤️
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Thank you so much! Love this running and blogging journey I’m on and I’m so happy my family are supportive in so many ways!
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