Blogger Behind the Blog {The Parenting Jungle}

Here’s this week’s instalment of Blogger Behind the Blog where I interview a blogger all about their reasons for blogging and what it means to them. This week I’m joined by Jade from The Parenting Jungle.

Here’s Jade with more about her blogging life:

Where did your blog name come from?

My blog name accidentally happened, I stumbled into blogging entirely clueless (and I am still at least 45% clueless) and started calling the site Leo lion and mummy. Inventive I know. Then I saw all the witty, catchy blog names and thought since I have a son whose name means lion I could entitle it The Parenting Jungle. Or TPJ if you like acronyms. You get lost in jungles, they are confusing, sometimes dark, sometimes lonely, where adventures happen and biting is likely to occur. Just like my house. Now I think of it lions live in the desert or zoos. The Parenting Zoo sounds better, shame I have now branded everything…

When did you start your blog and why?

I started last May but only wrote a couple of posts that had terrible grammar! I didn’t set out to be a blogger, or even really understand the concept. I had two weeks off work after having a breast lump removed and idle hands…from the first keyboard click, I was hooked.

What did you do before you blogged?

I had lots of spare time. Tweeted less. Had no understanding of PR’s and SEO’s. I was blissfully ignorant. My job was a specialist in Revenge pornography and cyber enabled blackmail. Yes my mum told people I worked in porn.

What was your first post?

It is “My ‘Mumisms’ The Top 10 Phrases Every Parent Says!”It is pretty basic, like Travelodge basic.

What inspires you to blog?

Would it sounds cheesy if I said the love of writing? I find it really cathartic to have a space that is just mine, to filter through my feelings. To blather.

What post has had the best response, which post are you most proud of and which post did you enjoy writing the most?

“15 things all parents should be told.” got the best response. I think on as on those crappy days, when we feel like mombies it brings a smile. I’m most proud of “The Trauma Of Birth. Why It Was Ok That I Did Not Want My Son.” As it took me weeks to build the courage to press send. I really enjoyed writing “MUMMY. I’m Going To Poo In My Spiderman Onesie.” I giggled all the way through.

Have any of your posts not had the response that you expected?

I wrote a post apologising to dad bloggers as I realised I wasn’t sharing their content as much as mums. Mainly because reading made me realise what I missed having an absent father. They responded so supportively.Somehow my own dad read it and after over 15 tears with no contact he left a one line comment. I have not yet replied, I haven’t the heart.

Where do you see your blog in a year’s time?

Hopefully still going, growing and still being enjoyed by readers and myself.

What is your favourite thing about blogging?

The sense of community. The openness in reading and writing. The friendships and support network.

…and your least favourite?

The need for constancy, an almost relentless requirement to be active on social media, the feeling that sometimes you are drowning in lists and tasks. That you can feel a failure, when statistics put a dark cloud over the enjoyment and you get caught up in numbers.

What’s the best blog post you have ever read?

I didn’t have any expectations but if did it would have exceeded them!

What blog do you love to read and why?

I love “When failure comes knocking” by Sparkles and Stretchmarks. She just writes with her heart and soul and often brings a tear to my eye.

Do you do anything differently now to when you started blogging?

The beautiful Just Saying Mum always writes with such thought, feeling and humour. She is also an amazingly kind person.

Is blogging what you expected it to be?

Lots, I am more organised, I wrote a post around it. I am still learning, I think in two months’ time I will be doing thing differently than now, blogging is not a stagnant thing.

What’s been your favourite blog collaboration to date?

I enjoy all the collaborations, creating the best posts I can but what really makes me smile is when you work with really lovely people. A PR from Zelst and I have just finished working together and I would invite her to my wedding.

Are there any brands you would love to work with, why?

Ha, there is no one I am actively stalking, there are big well-known brands but then again smaller companies can be equally fun and enjoyable to work with.

Have you had any blogging fails so far?

Not braving to make it to any blogger meet ups or socials, I am a big wimp. When I started I was confused about linkys so I would add a badge and tweet the hosts without knowing about the in-linkz link up. Doh. Getting over eager and spending money on designs or layouts when you can just do it yourself with some patience!

What is your biggest blogging hope, dream or ambition?

I don’t want to write a book; I would love to get better at photography and focus enough to develop and maintain regular high levels of blog traffic.

What do you do when you’re not blogging?

Run round after kids, drink wine, cook, DIY the Charles Dickens out of my new home, watch terrible series on Netflix, think about blogging and work.

and lastly, tell us all a random fact about yourself

I paraglided when I was 15, sat on the arctic circle and am terrified of rabbits. It is Watership Down’s fault. There are a few!

Now that you know all about Jade from The Parenting Jungle, make sure you go and read her blog. Make sure you follow her on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram too. Thanks so much Jade for being involved!