Featured Blogger - Iona Burchell
Thursday 24th of October 2013 | Category: Opinion | Written by: Iona BurchellWhen did you start blogging, and what prompted your decision to go ahead?
I started blogging in earnest in September 2012. I'd had a blog registered for a good few months beforehand but hadn't done anything with it other than played around. It was after a family holiday in Cornwall whilst listening to an episode of The Archers in the car on a rare moment without the children that something in the episode clicked, but it was with my husband not me! He suggested I start writing on my blog and talk about me and my interests. This then grew into a parent blog but also an avenue for my own thoughts, a shop window for me as a writer and a record of our family.
Does blogging 'connect' to your working life in anyway?
As I mentioned above, I am a freelance writer and so blogging connects most definitely. I use it as a way of advertising my skills and now also as a way of generating additional income. I enjoy the freedom of choosing what I write on my blog especially.
Tell us about your personal top three posts from your blog
Too much too young and why I disagree with Jacqueline Wilson - because it's one of my soap box topics. I disagree with much of current education policy and I really enjoyed venting a bit of my fury in this post. And I really do disagree with Jacqueline Wilson.
http://redpeffer.me.uk/education/too-much-too-young/
What's the story - related to the first post. This is my attempt to make homework more enjoyable. My daughter and I had such fun making this and she learnt so much but Mr Gove would hate it...I love it.
http://redpeffer.me.uk/education/whats-the-story-6/
My sea adventure - again on a theme here. The education debate rages strongly in my head at least! I love the enthusiasm and joy that is captured in this poem that my daughter wrote. This is what learning is all about. I want her to feel free to express herself. As they say 'content is king'. If the content is there, the rest will follow.
http://redpeffer.me.uk/education/my-sea-adventure/
What do you look for when reading other blogs?
I look for the people to shine through. I enjoy reading posts that reflect the personality behind the blog rather than 'professional posts'. I obviously tend to read a lot of fellow parent bloggers mainly because I'm looking for advice, sympathy and shared experiences. But I do enjoy reading a good blog on any subject more or less as long as it's well written.
How do your family and friends feel about your blogging habit?
My husband is very supportive as are my children, but they are still quite young. I have no idea how they will feel if I'm still blogging when they become more aware of themselves and of the world but until then I'll take it as it comes! The rest of my family and friends are supportive if vaguely bemused by the whole blogging thing I think.
What do you hope your kids will make of the blog one day?
I hope they'll be proud of themselves for all they've achieved (as documented on the blog) and they'll be proud of me too.
What do you enjoy about being a Trusted Blogger Club member?
It's lovely to feel you belong. It's even better when you feel you belong to something that supports and values in equal measure. There's a lot of blogging related organisations and clubs out there these days but I like to think the Trusted Blogger Club is one of those that sits a bit above the rest. I enjoy being part of a supportive community.
You can only write one more post on your own blog; what would the topic be?
How proud I am of my children, how they have inspired me to try different things, to push myself and to be happy with being me. I would want them to know how much difference they have made to my life. I'd also like it to be honest and write a second half about just how hard it is being a parent and the constant worries and struggles faced each and every day sometimes. All in the interests of balance!
