It’s been a few months now since I started the Magical Childhood blog and I’m wondering a few things.
For one, I wonder if anybody ever reads it! 🙂 I get a few comments but Live Journal works very hard at keeping me from putting up a counter (I apparently need to put one in a "layer" and it warns me that I had better know code if I go there) so I have no way of knowing if anybody really wanders in at all.
For another, I wonder if I should move it to another site. I picked Live Journal because I had a personal blog on blogger and didn’t want the two all lumped together. Also, I liked the idea of over 300 templates to switch through for the blog here! I’m a visual person and it just appealed to me! 🙂
But frankly, LJ is a pain. The comments are labeled anonymous unless you’re a LJ member, it won’t let me put up a counter or other simple applications and it’s sort of out in the boonies of the internet. Plus, people have complained numerous times that they just don’t like it!
So I’m wondering… should I pack up and move to greener pastures? Will I be able to import things from here to there, and does it matter? I snatched up a suitable name on blogger, just in case (and they won’t even tell me magical-childhood is too long and make it something silly like magical mama!).
Should I keep blogging at all? I always loved putting out the newsletters because mamas would write back and share ideas or yap with me, but here I feel a bit like I’m talking to the mirror. There are so many wonderful crafting and parenting blogs out there these days. Maybe I should just update the web site weekly or go in a new direction. Maybe I should call it a day and go sip iced tea on the lawn swing.
What do you think, loyal reader (I don’t dare make it plural! I think one might be a stretch!)? Victoria came and read this over my shoulder and says I should absolutely not stop blogging. Ever, she says! I could just send her some emails and save a lot of trouble though.
I love to yap at you, but I don’t know if you’re really out there. I’m beginning to just feel a bit silly and sad! 😉 If you are out there, please weigh in!
And happy Wednesday. 😉
please dont ever stop blogging… i make it to your site almost every single day and look forward to what you have to say on the days that i just need that little something. you have been an inspiration to me since 2006 thru your newsletters… you are a wonderful person and i would miss you if you left.
Don’t stop blogging. I love your blog, read it everyday. I’m just one of those readers who don’t comment.
As for your choice of location, I’ll leave it up you, just let me know.
Sue
I’m here ;o)
And I read your posts :o) Please keep blogging.
Lori
hi
Well, I really enjoy reading your blog, I think we share a common philosophy of parenting and I think you have really inspiring ideas. I am interested in blogging also, just haven’t made it there yet. So, I hope you don’t stop blogging, I for one am reading!
Don’t stop!!!
Alicia,
To borrow an expression from my little daughters…”please-please-please-please”, double please, don’t stop blogging. I only read three or four blogs, I’m a busy mom, but I always check in here. Many times when I only received the occasional newsletter I really wished you would blog. I know I’m only one person, and I’m surprised too that you don’t get more feedback but we just need to get the word out more somehow, because I think your combination of humor, practical ideas, and thoughts on raising children is really unique and *needed*. It’s always very uplifting and very encouraging. I don’t mind if you move the venue; I don’t like being anonymous.
Today we’re going to go ride the bus and get the last couple of odds and ends for our fairy party on Saturday. I will let you know how it goes! We already had a little party with family, and we made a five-foot long banana split using a (clean) plastic gutter for a dish! It was a blast!
Rebecca
Please don’t stop blogging! I read your blog every time you update it and love it! I read a lot of parenting/creative type blogs, but yours is my new favorite because you give a unique slant on how to interact with your kids…letting them be kids and keeping things simple and having FUN and enjoying them! I send a lot of your ideas to my MOPS group through our MOPS blog and our newsletter (and I always credit your site and tell them to come visit!) I rarely comment on any blogs because usually my blog reading time is also my nursing-the-baby time and I rarely have hands to actually type! 🙂 I personally don’t like livejournal. I have used blogger and wordpress both and I really like wordpress. (Our MOPS blog is http://www.fayettemops.wordpress.com) Anyway, just wanted to say I think you are doing a great job and I really hope you continue!!! 🙂
Jennifer
I read it!! Your LJ page is my Home Page! 🙂 I will follow wherever you end up going! I love reading this page and it inspires me as a mother every day!
I read your journal and love it
I check it at least a few days a week but I wouldn’t blame you for moving it as long as you give me the forwarding address. hehehe! You help me be a better parent
I’m here. I read your blog over coffee with my three kids in sight. It’s a nice way to start the day. Please keep blogging!
Rose
I read!
I read religiously and love your blog!! I like it much, much better than the newsletter.
I blog at wordpress and like it. I really have no opinion on hosting though 🙂
Please keep blogging!
I’m here!
I am DEFINITELY here listening, and I’ve been here since you had newsletters. I enjoyed the newsletters, but I have to say that I like the blog better because you update it with something new every day, or every couple of days. Yesterday, I printed off the “20 Alternatives to Punishment” and posted it on my bulletin board. We already do a lot of these with our children, but it’s a great reminder to keep up our hard work! Actually, you’re in my list of links at the top of my browser so I can easily click and visit you every day or so. So, please don’t feel like you’re alone out there (I sometimes wonder this with my own blog, but I am very private with it, so I would not be surprised!), because I know that I am listening, if no one else is (But I do see that you have atleast 10 other comments on here.)…..so, I hope that helps, and keep talking. I love the things that you share!
Blessings and light,
Kristy
Please don’t stop blogging! I love your site and always tell families looking for something unique to check it out. My day would not be as fun if you stopped. I have followed you through all three of your sites, if you want to blog somewhere else then feel free, just please keep blogging (and let us know the new address)
Your blog
I am one of your readers who migrated over when you quit doing the newsletter. I actually like this a lot more than the newsletter because the pieces come to me little by little. I have your blog linked to my google reader, so I get your updates automatically. I’m not sure if a counter would recognize people who use blog readers or not. Anyways, I would like to place my vote that you do NOT stop blogging…because I know I’d miss reading your words.
I’m here
I’m reading! I enjoy your blog. I never got around to the newsletters, most of the time. I have this in my google reader along with all the other blogs I read, so it’s easy for me to keep up!
The anonymous comment thing bugs me a bit. But that’s really all I’ve noticed from my end. 🙂
Kit
http://kitmama.blogspot.com
Hi!
I’m here, reading faithfully – used to read your newsletter. 😉
I use Google Reader to keep up with my favorite blogs, so it won’t matter to me which service you use… just please keep writing! Your posts are always inspirational. Most of the time your posts give me great ideas for my child care program. Sometimes a post just makes me smile (but that is always a great thing, too).
Don’t stop
Please don’t stop blogging. I do think you should move to blogger if you are more comfortable with their templates. Another thing you might do is see if you can get someone to design a blog for you and then host it yourself. You can use word press for this. I think Risa does that, they use Word Press and they host the blog on their own server.
In the end do what makes you the happiest. I think LJ is a POS and well I think you would be happier blogging elsewhere. Either way I will reed your feed.
I’m reading!
I’ve been a fan of A Magical Childhood ever since a friend recommended it to me about 4 years ago. I loved receiving your email newsletters, and I LOVE reading the blog. I put you on my Google feed reader, so whenever there’s a new post on your blog it lets me know I need to pop over and read it.
I recommend you to as many people as I can- your easy, joyful, NO PRESSURE style is so refreshing and SO rare. Too many childrens’ art-related blogs/websites turn me off because it seems like you have to be An Official Artist to do art with children (or yourself!)- which is just nonsense.
I have no idea about which blog format (LJ/Blogger whatever) is better as I have no experience with any of them, but I’ll read you wherever you are. 🙂
I’m here and read every day. My kids and I love the activities. Please keep up the great work!
I’m Here
If you quit I will cry. I read daily and love it all!
I admit LJ is a bit of a pain when it comes to commenting but I still comment sometimes. 🙂
Keep up the great work and help spread the magic.
I am just catching up on posts, and I’ll chime in to say I read but don’t comment.
I enjoy what you have to say, glad to see you on the internet, and I prefer the blog format to the old newsletter format.
Christie (not anonymous!)
just wandering…
Hey…just wanted to let you know that people are out there reading. I have kind of scanned a few blogs but not really thought about commenting…just didn’t really think the blogger wanted interaction. So do bloggers want interaction? Just curious….hope I’m not reiterating what a million people may have already said…I live kind of “out of town” and we are on dial up so I don’t always have the patience to wait for lots of stuff to download 😉 (so I didn’t read everyone elses comments to your post) I love reading about others lives, especially homeschoolers since I recently started with my kids. Anyway, I do see how it says I will be anonymous….just can’t go out like that…My name is Kara, I live in SC and here is an email I can be contacted at if ya wanna: kara@cedarcreek.net Thanks for sharing…makes me realize I am not the only one with a “crazy” life 😉
just wandering…
Hey…just wanted to let you know that people are out there reading. I have kind of scanned a few blogs but not really thought about commenting…just didn’t really think the blogger wanted interaction. So do bloggers want interaction? Just curious….hope I’m not reiterating what a million people may have already said…I live kind of “out of town” and we are on dial up so I don’t always have the patience to wait for lots of stuff to download 😉 (so I didn’t read everyone elses comments to your post) I love reading about others lives, especially homeschoolers since I recently started with my kids. Anyway, I do see how it says I will be anonymous….just can’t go out like that…My name is Kara, I live in SC and here is an email I can be contacted at if ya wanna: kara@cedarcreekchurch.net Thanks for sharing…makes me realize I am not the only one with a “crazy” life 😉
I read your newsletters an read your blog everyday.
It gives me inspiration and good ideas.
Keep up the good work
Gretha from Israel
blogger
take blogger or wordpress. i have used blogger for a long time now , i dont have to pay anything..and though i havent made many posts or much, i do follow a lot of blogs and that makes it worthwhile for me..in fact, i “follow” your livejournal blog on blogger.
i have been a fan of your site from the time my oldest was a wee one. you’ve helped me find my lost focus in parenthood more times than you are aware. it was only a short while ago that i found your blog, and i have been so happy to follow it.
i am from india, living in qatar and my blog is at liz1611.blogspot.com
please dont think that nobody reads your blog, you are an inspiration to a lot of people!
Devoted reader!
I’m here reading, too! Love your ideas for filling those longest days. Thank you!
Keep blogging :O)
I’ve been peeking in on your blog (sometimes religiously, sometimes infrequently), and I *love* it! Don’t stop! …and remember that for every comment you get in response to something like this, there are tons of lurkers who are too shy to pipe up!
Keep up the fun ideas!
~Dianna
I love your blog!
I just wanted to add that I love your blog also and have been a long time subscriber starting with your newsletters!!
I will follow you wherever you decide to take it!
I did send you an email once and I do believe you’re an inspiration!
It’s so easy to get caught up in life and you always bring me back to whats important – my kids!!
Oh…had a suggestion for a rainy day thing to do – we did it today with my boys and watched old home video’s – they were intrigued about themselves as babies…and felt very special being on tv! LOL!
Thank you for all of your work in putting it together!!
Kristie – Australia
See! Lots of bloggy fans. 🙂 I love reading your blog too, though this spring has been extra-crazy for me and I haven’t had as much time for blogs as I would have liked.
I read in Google Reader (so I wouldn’t show up on a counter anyway!) and I don’t mind that it’s on LJ. But keep up the ideas, you have a great fan base here!
Hi, I have just come across your website and I love it! Yes, there are people out here in cyber-space reading your journal. I’m all the way over in Australia and think your ideas are great. Keep them coming. Thank you, Kate.
Just found ur blog. Love it. I agree with u and its so nice to not feel so alone. Im far away from my family with a husband who always works and its just my son n I. Oh yes and a local mother in law who feels the need to imput on situations and feels loving a child is spoiling a child. Dont stop please