Blogger Behind the Blog {Toby and Roo}

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 Harriet from Toby and Roo.

Here’s Harriet with more about her blogging life:

Where did your blog name come from?

My kids are called Tobias and Reuben, I named the blog after them… which means I’m probably now going to have to figure out a way to explain to my youngest daughter Edith, who wasn’t born at the time, why she isn’t involved!

When did you start your blog and why?

I started my blog in 2013 because I fell in love with a blog turned shopping portal called Babyccino kids. I wanted to share cool finds and products I loved like they did, plus mama tips. As time went on it became less and less about the awesome “look at this!” products and more about me, my family and developed into the brand it is now.

What did you do before you blogged?

I worked as a retail assistant for Mothercare.

What was your first post?

Oh gosh, I honestly don’t know… something about cute pjs I think! I don’t think it’s on there anymore!

What inspires you to blog?

I’ve really developed a passion for supporting other mothers and women and, if I’m brutally honest, I’m inspired to keep pushing forwards because I want to work flexibly around my children. I don’t want to beg a week off in the summer holidays, I want to be able to say “Right, today I’m off” and be my own boss.

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

Gosh, there have been a few I’m quite proud of. Usually my politically motivated ones – onw of the earliest posts I wrote about feminism “An open letter to my daughter” was picked up by the Independent and published in The Mother Book (along with a couple of others). I loved writing to my husband about being touched out and that seems to get so much interest. Funnily my most popular post is one about how to make slime – something we do often. I was also really proud of my post about miscarriage. It was so hard to write but it seemed to resonate with so many people – and that meant more than I could tell.

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

Oh goodness loads, I hit publish on a number of occasions and then gone merrily about my day only to find that the post has gone somewhat viral on Facebook, or vice versa, smugly walked away from the computer convinced that there will be viral potential and nada. It’s the way it goes!

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

I’m not sure to be honest, I’m hoping I can keep growing and building it up, eventually I would like to include more foodie based recipes as my kids get older and don’t want to be a part of them blog.

What is your favourite thing about blogging?

The connections with people. I don’t think I will ever be able to say I don’t love receiving a message to say that I’ve made someone feel less alone or like a more “normal” mother for not idolising every second of being with her children.

…and your least favourite?

The cattiness amongst other bloggers. It can be the most wonderfully supportive community at times and then other times you feel like you’ve been transported back to school – it only takes a few to spoil it for the majority but all in all I think the ones that I have come across and who I have been lucky enough to become friends with and working colleagues with make up for it.

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

Yikes, I can’t answer that – I have read so many amazing posts. Posts that have made me laugh out loud, posts that have brought me to tears… there are just too many!

What blog do you love to read and why?

I love to read Anna from Mother Pukka’s blog, Sarah from The Unmumsy Mum too – really honest and genuine mamas who tell it like it is and they have me in stitches.

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

I would blog how I blog now and not try to be a shopping portal hybrid, I love that I have found my voice.

Is blogging what you expected it to be?

Yes and no. I never expected to make such good friends, feel such a sense of unity with other women or make such a good income.

What’s been your favourite blog collaboration to date?

I loved working with Birds Eye, I created 3 recipes for them, took Reuben to their studios and filmed their promotional social media videos making my recipes – it was ace! We had a blast, the team was great and I felt like it really catapulted me forwards. I’ve also loved working with Bupa because I love the message that we all need to step back more, I don’t do it enough and I ought to.

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

There are loads! I’m always really careful to only work with brands that I feel are a good fit for me and my audience – if we’re not into it, no point in working with them. I’d love to work with DisneyWorld because I LOVE Disney and I get so jealous of my US blogger pals writing their insider tips (and wearing the ears… I love the ears)

Have you had any blogging fails so far?

I’m not sure… I’ve messed up on a few occasions I think, just little things but never anything that has caused any real upset to anyone, I would feel terrible.

What is your biggest blogging hope, dream or ambition?

Hmm not sure, earn enough to be able to say to my husband, don’t bother working anymore and take my kids on 2-3 holidays a year so that they can see the world and different cultures first hand? Reach people in a way that makes a difference – one of the things I love about Anna and Sarah is that they really make a difference when you’re feeling low about your parenting skills. I’d love to be able to say I do that too.

What do you do when you’re not blogging?

Erm… sleep? I’m pretty much 24/7 on my phone, unless I have something specific for the kids or a date with my husband, I’m working. I have been known to have my phone confiscated…

and lastly, tell us all a random fact about yourself

Ohh I’m a black belt in martial arts and I have an instructors certificate!

Now that you know all about Harriet from Toby and Roo, make sure you go and read her blog. You can follow her on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram – thanks so much Harriet for being involved!