Baby Mazen feet!
When Mazen was born I never took much of a break from blogging. I went from three posts a day to one and since I was writing mostly about life as a new mom, my content was easily generated and recapped. I was also writing both KERF and BERF along with a few ongoing freelance gigs. I’m glad I just have one blog to focus on this time! (Plus sharing on Instagram, obvi). While I don’t remember feeling too overwhelmed with my work time after Mazen was born, I do remember being so tired at the end of the day and feeling obligated to update the blog each evening. After a few months of that I switched over to mostly topic-based posts so that I could batch write during nap times and not have to work in the evenings so much. I wrote this post about work-life balance when Mazen was nearing a year old, and it’s interesting for me to go back and re-read now. (I also stole the same pics for this post!)
So what’s the plan when baby #2 comes?
From when the baby arrives to New Year’s Day, I’m planning to go into low-power mode. I recently started listening to Gretchen Rubin’s Happier podcast, and I enjoyed this episode describing low-power mode as a computer functioning on the bare minimum of resources. I don’t intend to disappear entirely for 10-ish weeks. I’m just going to publish posts maybe once or twice a week about what’s going on in our lives with a few sponsored and topical posts scattered in. I want there to be zero pressure on myself to sit down to my computer if I’m feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, etc. But I also know that over the course of a week I should have enough time to check in with you guys at least once with some pictures and updates.
What I don’t intend to do is pre-write 10 weeks worth of posts and/or have 10 weeks worth of guest posts. I don’t think that’s worth the effort. I think quality over quantity is my goal. The fear of any blogger taking a hiatus is that readers, income, and momentum will all disappear forever in a matter of days. While I am a little worried about that, I am fairly confident that most of you won’t forget about me 🙂
I really want to spend as much time with both of my children as possible. I remember from last time: the first six weeks are simply about survival! I do want to share a birth announcement and birth story as soon as I can. The blog might be quite baby heavy in the early days, but since it’s always been about my life, I’m sure that will come as no surprise.
I also am very grateful that we’re a two-income household and if my contribution shrinks for a while, we’ll be totally fine. I also ask for your grace that if my ratio of personal to sponsored posts seems a bit jarring that it’s for the livelihood of our family and not because I am lazy or selling myself out. I always try to infuse as much personality into my sponsored posts as I can. I have a few posts already in the queue that I’ve worked on this summer and am really excited to share but they had to wait for the correct timeline!
I think the timing of a late October to New Year’s break works well since most blogs see a big traffic dip over the holidays anyways, and then come New Years, I’ll be about (hopefully) 2.5 months postpartum and (hopefully) feeling ready to get back into a healthy routine. I’ll be right in step with the New Years resolution crew! I really have no idea if by New Year’s I’ll be ready to get back into five posts a week, but that’s my hope and plan for now.
And long term?
I know from the past that I’ll get back into it when Baby B is taking longer naps, in preschool, and eventually in elementary school. I know I’ll get back to traveling and will eventually have the time to produce longer-form posts again, but I also know that it’s the family and real life posts that you guys love the most!
When Mazen was younger and taking super long afternoon naps, I was able to use the afternoon hours to work. But with two kids on different schedules, I might have to hire childcare a little more than I did with Mazen. I have always tried to use the least amount of paid help possible, which has been a good cost savings, buts at times has meant a distracted mom or higher stress. I’m not sure what my plan will be, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.
As I’m sure all of you would agree, family is the most important thing. They are only babies once! I hope to update the blog when I go into labor like I did last time instead of just disappearing, but if he comes fast, that might be the case. So if the blog goes dark sometime in the next 5ish weeks, check Instagram!
xoxo
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
Will definitely keep an eye on your Instagram! I wish you the best 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
jen says
I think your plan sounds smart and perfect for this precious and fleeting stage of life. I can relate to feeling like it’s all going to go away if you step away…but it won’t and you will be so glad you stepped back. I powered through and posted most days after Finn was born…mostly because of financial concerns…but part of me wishes I’d have dialed it back a bit more. Listen to your gut!
KathEats says
You have done a great job balancing it all!
Ali says
Enjoy your time! Looking forward to hearing about how it’s all going when you return 🙂
Bethany says
I’m glad you are taking a slight maternity leave. It’s important and i can’t wait to follow along on insta! <3
Denise says
If we’re a reader worth having, we’ll be here. You do you!
Kaci says
This sounds like a great plan! I also think most devoted readers, myself included, won’t go anywhere. 🙂
Pauline says
I will always check your blog, no matter how often you post :-). And my guess is that you have a lot of loyal readers like me. Enjoy your time with little B (and Mazen of course) as much as you can!!
Sara says
Do you and Thomas hope to have more kids beyond Baby B?
KathEats says
Me: No
Thomas: Yes
So technically TBD. But that’s a 90% no 🙂
Christin Slyngman says
Good.for.you! I for one, will still keep following your blog 😉
Transitioning from 1 to 2 is definitely an adjustment…I would argue it’s almost as big an adjustment as going from 0 to 1, except you’re not as concerned about every little thing…you’ll have more confidence…use that! I found it helpful to have a special box of toys for my older daughter that came out only when I was nursing my new baby. It kept her distracted enough that I was able to get much needed bonding time. Involving my older daughter in every aspect of baby care hat I could was also really helpful and allowed them to bond.
I’m so excited for you!
Stacey says
I would MUCH rather have quality over quantity and not just for the sake of posting each day with guest posts, etc because I come to your blog to learn/read about you! Plus I’ll never fall off after baby because I’ll be dying to know what’s going on in your “new life” 🙂 As a mom to 2 girls, 5-months and 3-1/2, I’m excited to see how your age gap works/doesn’t work for your family (we’ve noticed lots of positives AND negatives in ours), so thanks for sharing like you do!
Kelly says
Glad you’re doing what works best for you and your family! I will definitely be sticking around to read when you do have time to post 🙂 Enjoy this special time!
Vicki says
I’m loyal! Plus really excited to meet Baby B!
Laurie Gannon says
I am not sure how many years I have been reading and enjoying your blog. It was definitely pre-Mazen. I will continue to read even if there are fewer posts each week as you and your family get acclimated. And a few more sponsored posts will still feature your personality. That’s why I keep returning. I can’t wait to read what’s next!
Warm wishes,
Laurie
alan says
This is a comment not about this blog post but about your family–Given the impending hurricane and your family home in Bald Head (wherever that is), I hope the parents are safe and sound, and that the home(s) survive without damage. Wishing the greater Younger family well
KathEats says
Thank you. My parents live most of the time in the middle of NC, not on the island, but of course BHI is in our thoughts this weekend. We don’t know what the storm will bring. Carolina is on our mind.
Tracy says
Sounds like a great plan, Kath! You could never lose me :). I’ll keep checking in and follow along on IG! Can’t wait to meet Baby B!
Be careful about giving in to another baby. You might end up with twins like we did!! But really, we couldn’t be happier about it!
KathEats says
That’s what I’m afraid of! I have twins in my family!
DONNA says
Are you giving birth at the birthing center (with the doula) like you did last time? Or going to a hospital?
KathEats says
At the same hospital as last time, with a different doula.
Jennie says
Impossible for me to forget the blog. It’s on my homescreen in between my facebook app and my Yelp app. Zero chance of not being seen. Enjoy your time, prioritize for you and baby, we will all be here when you are ready.
KathEats says
Aw thanks 🙂
Poly M says
I support you in your chosen work-life balance, and doing what you have to do to make ends meet sponsor-wise. Truthfully, it will be easier for me to keep up since the holidays will surely get busier. Plus, you have a good point, they are only young once! I know I wouldn’t want to have them grow up and me wishing I could go back in time and spend more of it with them. Looking forward to the cute baby posts! And baby real food 😀
sarah says
Your readers understand! See what baby #2 brings and do what you need to do for your family.