Blogger Behind the Blog {Steph’s Two Girls}

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 Steph from Steph’s Two Girls.

Here’s Steph with what blogging means to her:

Where did your blog name come from? 

My blog name wasn’t very inspired sadly – it’s kind of obvious why I chose it. I’m Steph, and I have two girls!! 😀

When did you start your blog and why?

I started my blog in January 2010 after an appointment with a paediatrician where she told me our youngest daughter most probably was autistic.

What did you do before you blogged?

My main job before having children was a Buyer – of stationery, toys, baby products and homewares. I miss it but I love being able to spend so much time bringing my girls up. Now I fit work in around school hours, including some voluntary work, but my passion is running courses to help other parents of children with Pathological Demand Avoidance.

What was your first post?

It was about the shock diagnosis of autism.

What inspires you to blog?

My two girls, and what sort of life I can give them – the more understanding out there for both of them, the better. So my main goal is to educate, but I now also really appreciate the fact that I help others in a similar situation along the way too.

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

My most read post is a one-off about making giant bubbles.

I’m most proud of my series of posts about other families who also have children with the same type of autism my girl has (PDA) – This Is Our PDA Story – and I’ve enjoyed writing all my review posts which have generally involved fun for me and/or the girls!

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

I never really expected any response to my posts, so I’m always just quietly pleased if I know people have been reading them

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

Probably more of the same, as I just don’t have time to change much – I know what I need to do, but no time to do it!

What is your favourite thing about blogging?

The network, the community – other bloggers who understand, in short.

…and your least favourite?

The competitive side that seems to have crept in from others. I’m just not like that.

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

Honestly? My brain is like a sieve so nothing sticks in there since having children 😉

What blog do you love to read and why?

Soooo many! Top favourites have to be those that make me laugh – Northern Mum and Hurrah for Gin – and all those from other families with children with additional needs who face some of the same challenges we do, too many of them to mention. It helps us to feel less alone.

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

I think about it more…. but have less time to act on those thoughts!

Is blogging what you expected it to be?

Again, I never expected anything, it was a personal diary for me at the start. So I guess it’s become so much more than that – and a hard habit to break now.

What’s been your favourite blog collaboration to date?

Soooo many. Warner Bros and the Harry Potter tour is one that springs to mind, but there’s probably nothing I’ve enjoyed more than seeing both my girls have fun at Center Parcs.

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

Center Parcs again, and again.

Have you had any blogging fails so far?

Probably just not being techie enough to know how to do the fancy stuff which might attract or keep more readers!

What is your biggest blogging hope, dream or ambition?

To find someone to collaborate with our our house renovation project – so much potential out there, but again, so little time to harness it.

What do you do when you’re not blogging?

Run around after my girls. As from September, I aim to get fit so my next plan is to find a good dance class if I can squeeze it in between girls and work. Would love to do more indoor skiing too.

and lastly, tell us all a random fact about yourself

I lived on an oil tanker in the Bahamas for 6 months when I was 9 years old. Oh to be that young and carefree again!

Now that you know all about Steph from Steph’s Two Girls, make sure you go and read her blog. You can follow her on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram – thanks so much Steph for being involved!