Why I started & continue to blog, plus my top tips!

When my wife was pregnant with our first child, I was over the moon. I was pleased as punch, but like the majority of first time parents was nervous, apprehensive and worried. I had a lot on my mind and plenty to come to terms with. I think that men in general aren't so good at talking to people about their feelings and I'm no different. When I was growing up I used to write a lot to express the plethora of emotions bombarding my adolescent system and it helped me a lot. I decided, during that first pregnancy that I could tap into that same method again to help me stay focused during an important transition in my life. I decided to blog. I knew nothing about blogging but took the plunge within minutes of making my decision (that's how easy it was to get started). Looking back, I wish I had researched my options a little bit before jumping in head first but that's never really been my style.. and thus Dad Creek was born.

I started to blog as a way of putting my feelings into print; into physical form and make them more real for myself. I started to blog entirely for myself. It wasn't long though before I grew more comfortable with my voice and emotions. From that point on I decided I was blogging not just for me, but for my entire family. My little corner of the internet went from being a place to express myself to a place that I could document our family life. Once I realised that the focus of my blog had changed, it was obvious that I had to keep it going. So many of us document family holidays and big occasions but how many people record the everyday moments and stories (good and bad) that go with them? My blog is the perfect place for me, my wife and children to look back, remember and reminisce in years to come. That's why I continue to blog and I'd encourage any other family to do the same.

My Blogging Tips:

1. Work hard, but don't let it take over. I blog about family life and if I let my blog take priority over my family then what would be the point? And if I let my blog take over my life and all of my spare time, what would I ever have to blog about?

2. Be social. Social networks are a fantastic place to be if you use them right. There a tons of bloggers across the globe, and more than you might think are blogging in the same niche category as you are. There are a lot of people you can relate to, connect with and learn from.

3. Don't give up. People won't find your blog straight away. It takes time to build an audience, and don't expect it to all come at once. In fact, don't expect it to ever come at all. Don't get hung up on your blogs statistics. If you started blogging for yourself, your family or any other reason that's personal then it will never matter if you're post has been read by 5 or 5000 people.