I have too much to balance, so I'm saying goodbye

Helloooo out there. 

I know there are not many eyes reading this post because I have seriously (I mean, horribly, really, really seriously) neglected BalancingMama. 

Life is taking enough of my time and parenting/life/travel writing does not have it's little niche in my world anymore. I am writing for businesses, media strategizing, media planning and buying, and managing social media and B2B ad campaigns. It keeps me busy and, frankly, those things pay the bills a whole lot better. I can buy my own tickets to awesome theme parks and newly-released movies and, of course, I will still share my thoughts and favorites on social. 

So it's not really goodbye at all... just "see ya elsewhere."

@BalancingMama on Instagram has been changed to @julie.k.mama
  
Please find me there!

The only conference where shoes are optional! #BeachesMoms #BeachesDads

Who takes off their shoes at a conference?
BeachesMoms and BeachesDads do!

Social Media on the Sand was an amazingly successful conference and networking event yet again in 2015. Social Media on the Sand 2015 was the second of what will hopefully be a long-running annual experience for social media influencers and their families. See the past BalancingMama BeachesMoms posts to learn about more of my favorite elements of the resort and conference, and enjoy this fantastic video form our friends at Beaches Resorts.

I guarantee it'll make you smile!



This year’s Social Media on The Sand ‪#‎BeachesMoms‬ and ‪#‎BeachesDads‬ ditched the boardroom and set-up shop along the turquoise coastline of Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort Villages and Spa. With their feet in the sand, the 150 social media influencers sharpened their skills, created meaningful opportunities for their business and of course, immersed themselves in the Beaches Luxury Included Vacation lifestyle. From ‪#‎throwbackthursday‬ 80’s Party and Sip and Sail Welcome event, to a Trick-or-Tweet Halloween bash, this year’s event was epic!

For more info on the event, check out http://www.socialmediaonthesand.com/.

Five "do's" for a girls' weekend at a family resort

Let's assume you are a busy mom, a multi-tasking master, fulfiller of all snack requests. Assume you need a break from it all; a chance to slow your pace and find your inner "me" again. It is not very difficult to imagine, is it? You are likely living it. The pace, the needs, the taxi service that you seem to be running. The dream of stepping away from it all, for just a moment, to catch your breath.

What you need is a girls' weekend. Or a whole week! Leave the children with your capable husband, maybe an in-law or two, and go. I was able to do this last week when I traveled, sans family, to Beaches Resorts Turks and Caicos for the second annual Social Media on the Sand Conference. I arranged to bring a friend to fill in for my family - and what a fantastic time we had!

Can adult women have a luxury experience at a family resort like Beaches Resorts? Yes! Here are my five "do's" for a successful and refreshing girls' weekend at a family resort:

#1: DO find an ideal quiet spot. Silence is probably scarce at home with children. To fully recharge, spend some time in your favorite resort relaxation spot. At Beaches Resorts Turks and Caicos, it was easy to turn a corner or two and find a mini oasis with shade, comfortable seating, and few other humans. I loved the serene charm of the open-air Veranda House in the Key West Village. My friend enjoyed a hidden piece of the Italian Village, tucked behind the shops, that she discovered on our second day. Even though it is a family resort, Beaches Resorts Turks and Caicos offers many peaceful escapes from the beach, pool, and water park.

Want to go pro? It's not about you. #Blogging

I had the privilege of speaking at the Type A Parent Conference in Atlanta in 2015. I co-presented "Attention-Grabbing Brand Pitches", sharing my experiences and advice from over 15 years of experience as an advertising and media planning professional. The group of bloggers who sat in on the session were smart, inquisitive, and attentive.

Even better than the session? The post-session conversations. I hope my speaking partner and I were able to assist at least a few on their path towards getting noticed and respected by some of the pros on the ad side.

The biggest head-nodding moment of the session was probably when the room quieted and (I hope) contemplated this thought: "It is NOT ABOUT YOU."

Repeat after me...
It's. Not. About. Me.

Many totally get it. Others may not. Think about this...

Fall conferences for bloggers, Sep-Nov 2015

September is here!
For me, that means finally settling into the back-to-school routine (we started August 3rd), getting a little bit more used to the start of "ones" preschool for the little guy, plus college football.

For many bloggers, fall means conference time! Here is a list of a few blogger conferences coming up in September, October, and November.

SEPTEMBER

10th-12th
Be Blogalicious
"To grow a supportive and vibrant community of influencers that celecrates cultural diversity" 
Baltimore, MD
Learn more and register for the Be Blogalicious Conference here.

18th-20th
Bloggy Conference 
"Open to anyone with an interest in social media"
Sandusky, OH
Bloggy Conference website

OCTOBER

8th-10th
Type A Parent Conference
This happens to be my personal favorite and I highly recommend it! Plus, it's here in Atlanta and this year, I am a presenter! I'll be sharing practical advice for pitching your blog to paid media pros... pssst, we have more budget than PR! 
Atlanta, GA
Lots of great info and events year-round on TypeAParent.com

21st-24th
Social Media On The Sand
This is an invitation-only conference and event at Beaches Resorts Turks and Caicos, which happens to be spectacularly amazing! I am honored to be attending for the second year.
To express your interest in a possible future invite, visit Social Media on the Sand 

23rd-24th
Moms Meet WOW Summit
Open to moms everywhere who are interested in raising healthy, happy families.
San Diego, CA 
Registration and more info here: WOW Summit 2015

Blogger mama friends!

I have a love-hate relationship with blogging. I hate when I have writer's block, when I am short on time, or when other bloggers are using their platforms to sell, sell, sell -- or attack other moms.

The pros are so much more, however. This 5+ year adventure as BalancingMama has created a lot of joy in many ways. I enjoy writing when I am inspired by something and when I have a topic that will be useful to fellow parents. I am thankful for all the amazing experiences I have been able to enjoy, especially the Social Media on the Sand conference at Beaches Turks and Caicos and media days at numerous family-friendly Atlanta attractions.

Most of all, I am genuinely thankful to have met a couple hundred fellow moms who blog. These ladies are writers, business owners, parents, pet owners, and wives. Several are now also real-life friends.

Remember #FF? Follow Friday on Twitter? Well, this will be my own version of Follow Friday today. If you haven't had the pleasure of checking out these ladies' blogs, click and read. 

InTheKitchenWithKP - Karen is a fun-loving, never-met-a-stranger kind of mama who cooks everything and brings bundt cake to blog conferences

RedheadBabyMama - Lindsey was a mom of one until just a week ago! Her redheaded preschooler is now a big brother to a sweet baby girl (with brown hair)

JaMonkey - Meghan is a mom of two girls who crafts, organizes, and decorates.


Really, Are You Serious - Krystyn is a mom of four redheaded girls and a former science teacher who shares tales from her busy household and tests a lot of baby gear

 
Happy weekend!

Thrilled to be a #BeachesMom again!

About two months ago, I clicked into my email and happily read this subject line:
You're Invited: Beaches Resorts Social Media on the Sand

I am honored and extremely excited to have received the coveted invite once again. I will be attending the second annual Social Media on the Sand conference at the glorious Beaches Resort Turks and Caicos!

Our 2014 experience at Beaches Turks and Caicos was one of luxury, impeccable service, and amazing natural beauty. The conference was inspiring with great sponsors and influential speakers including highly successful working moms, beloved bloggers, and the CEO of Sandals Resorts himself, Adam Stewart. Last year, I was thrilled to be able to travel with my husband and daughter (baby boy was only 9 months old and had a great time with grandparents at home). Seeing Beaches through a child's eyes really makes you fall in love with the fantastic vacation experience.

I will be traveling without family in 2015, unfortunately, as it just did not work out this year with timing and finances. I look forward to focusing on the valuable conference content and seeing the resort through adult eyes this time! I am seeing more rum punch and extended relaxation by the pool for this busy mama!

If you want to check out Beaches Resorts for your next family vacation, I do highly recommend it. It is comparable to a cruise in many ways and actually so much better in others. Huge resort rooms, non-stop service with genuine smiles, and everything you could ever need is included in the original price. If you are a social media influencer, you can learn more about the Social Media on the Sand Conference and sign up for more information and a chance to be invited next year.

Turks and Caicos, Beaches Resort, and fellow #BeachesMoms and #BeachesDads.... see you in a few months!

Don't bloggers just reach other bloggers? #socialmedia

I don't know if bloggers are as influential as they think they are... don't they just reach other bloggers?

This question makes for an interesting conversation, doesn't it? As a real-life advertising professional with over a decade of paid media experience and a parenting/family travel blogger, I love to jump in when these kinds of questions are asked. I'm the one getting antsy in my chair, ready to educate any misguided souls on the pros (and maybe a con or two) on working with bloggers.

Bloggers do have a large audience of other bloggers; this is true. The reason is because bloggers, at least those in my genre, seem to be very supportive of each other. Groups like Type A Parent and The SITS Girls have group forums for sharing ideas, opportunities, and asking/receiving advice about technical, creative, or other blog-related issues.

It is also because... get ready for this... bloggers read blogs. I believe it is in a blogger's nature to enjoy writing, and what follows is a love of reading quality content. Bloggers who write and share within the same genre have natural similarities and an enjoyable camaraderie with one another. A fellow blogger is no different than any other visitor; in fact, a fellow blogger may actually be more receptive to the message because they have a strong interest in the genre.

This is not to say, by any means, that bloggers "just reach other bloggers". You only have to take a look at following on other social platforms (Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) to illustrate this point. I highly doubt a blogger with 100,000 Twitter followers knows 100,000 bloggers. Reasonably, due to conferences and networking groups, a professional blogger could have made actual acquaintance with 400, 800, even 1,000 other bloggers - but not 100,000.

The best bloggers are experts at...

• Writing with SEO in mind 
• Crafting timely posts
• Creating the very best images for Pinterest/Instagram popularity

These writers (the ones much better at the craft than I) understand how to create captivating content that is easily discovered by an audience with a heightened interest in that topic at that very moment.

Bloggers, especially the working, adventurous, cooking, parenting kind, are busy. They are highly scheduled individuals trying to get everything done for children and spouses including (but not limited to) tasks for school, work, the blog, sports, outside consulting, and networking. If one blogger knows 500 other bloggers, they certainly cannot expect all 500 of those colleagues to read and interact with every post. It just is not possible.

So no, brand client X, bloggers do not only reach other bloggers. They reach interested and targeted audience groups that fit within a niche genre. They do so with skill and expertise, and have created for themselves an influence that can help spread the word about the best products, attractions, experiences, recipes, crafts, advice, etc. I think the right bloggers are absolutely without a doubt, influential. Don't take them for granted. A blogger can be a loyal and trusted partner in your marketing mix.

(And if you need assistance finding the right marketing mix? Well, I am a freelance media consultant. Let's have a chat.) 

The have-it-all-mom: Revisiting my very first blog post (5 years and 1 month later)

I managed to miss my 5-year blogging anniversary last month, so today I pulled up the archives. I was five years younger when I wrote this, a mom of one, trying to figure out where I fit in the world of work and parenting. The blog was originally titled "Three Moms In One: A Balancing Act", because I wanted to be the happy mom, the "perfect" mom, and the working mom - all tied up in one neat little got-it-all-together package. I also knew it was going to be a perpetual balancing act to even attempt such a feat.

Many things have changed in five years. Other things have not. I still hold a soft spot, however, for this first rambling, personal, very real post. 

Know what's funny? I wore this SAME outfit at home today.

- - -

What do you mean, three moms? 

 originally posted January 21, 2010

Doing the mommy thing is not easy. No one said it would be. But I don't think I realized just how much I would bounce around the emotional spectrum on a daily basis. As a chronic over-achiever, I thought I could be the Perfect Mom, the Happy Mom, & the Working Mom without skipping a beat. 21-1/2 months after my gorgeous Amelia's birth, the realization that these three identities don't always mesh is hitting me in the face... and it hurts.

The Perfect Mom reads all the books, follows the rules, and ends up with a brilliant, sweet, and happy child. It's all a breeze, right? Ha. More like impossible. The pressure placed on a mom, both by herself and by society is astronomical. And unrealistic. And just plain stupid. Especially when said child nears the dreaded age of two.

BalancingMama's most-read posts of all time #disneyside #elfontheshelf #crafts #parenting

I love digging into analytics to find stories for my advertising clients. Occasionally, I find time to do the same for BalancingMama. It helps me to better understand what you love to read.

And... it looks like Disney décor and Elf on The Shelf are your favorites! Also, a popular preschool craft and my heartfelt letter to my girl. It is so nice to see some of my own personal favorites appearing on this list.

BalancingMama's top posts of all time - so far:

 

Five Elf Of The Shelf ideas, funny and rated G

Some of my favorite Elf ideas compiled from Pinterest, all easy enough for busy moms and rated G for all ages. Who has time for the elaborate poses with this guy?

 

Mickey Mouse inspired baby nursery

Andrew's bedroom, complete with the best Mickey head crib sheets ever, and some great wall décor with a decal and paint. Plus DIY wall art!

 

Fit for our princess: Cinderella Bedroom Décor

Amelia's room, blue with a Disney Cinderella decal and "A dream is a wish your heart makes..." over the bed. Plus gorgeous Etsy photography that's not too childish.

 

Remember Me: a letter to my future teenage daughter

I love that my personal post has received so much attention. I hope this heartfelt letter makes it to Amelia's eyes in upcoming decades. 

 

Empty Toilet Paper Rolls: Art Time!

Apparently, we all want to know what to do with empty toilet paper rolls. Learn how your preschooler can create their family with some simple supplies.

Favorite holiday gift lists

Are you on Pinterest? BalancingMama is on Pinterest! Check out my various boards on travel, kid style, cute food, easy family entrees, and Christmas gift ideas.

If you are still searching for some fantastic holiday gift ideas, click over to these from some blogging buddies of mine:

STEM gift ideas for girls - from Really, Are You Serious. I love that she encourages science and engineering for her girls. And she was a science teacher, so she knows what she's talking about!

Kitchen Must-Haves - from Redhead Baby Mama. This working mom of a little boy, a bulldog, and a cat shares her experience with some of the most useful kitchen gadgets for her busy life.

Ideas for Techie Parents - from The Mommy Insider. Parents love gadgets too! I definitely want some of the goodies on this list.

If you still need some assistance with your shopping endeavors in the form of deals and coupons? Check out the new Personal Shopper partnership with my friend, Mamalicious Maria:
Get Reward Points + Coupons for @LandsEnd and more


Happy gift hunting!

Flying through the blue sky to paradise #BeachesMoms

Social Media on the Sand begins tomorrow afternoon!

 

 

I think I know how the morning will go; the hectic rush to get up, get the kids ready, double-check the luggage. Did we forget anything? Honey, did you remember the...? Is Amelia dressed - did she brush her teeth?

 

I will make time to snuggle and kiss on my sweet baby boy who will be staying home with Grandma and Granddad. I have never been away from him overnight - that will tear me up inside. I will be going through the motions of a mom on the verge of vacation while shoving aside thoughts of the goodbye I have to say to that sweet little guy.

 

 

As usual on crazy out-the-door mornings, I will probably skip breakfast. I will plan to grab food at the airport, but might manage to snag a bottled Starbucks Iced Coffee from the fridge before the husband whisks us away down the interstate. We will have Atlanta rush hour traffic to contend with; I will be stressed and worried that we will be late.

So, you want to be a big-time blogger? My take on it, and what NOT to do.

Nearly every day, I see bloggers asking other bloggers "how do I get invited to that?" or "how do I make money?" or "why not meeeeeee?". The world has A LOT of blogs, over 200 million to be exact. Some were started and quickly died, some are semi-private and solely personal, others are purely commercial, while others are a little bit of everything.

I began blogging many years ago, simply as a vehicle for expression. I like to write. I was stressed, muddling my way through motherhood with a feisty little girl. Eventually, I met other bloggers. I joined an amazing group of local blogging parents who provided insight, support, and connections. So many of those bloggers are now my friends. Never did I obsess too much about my blog numbers - I stated many times, "my blog is just a hobby". But lately, I've put more effort into it. Over the years, I have made some incredible contacts with brands I love and respect, and especially with family-friendly Atlanta area attractions. Now, I am truly humbled and honored to have an invite to #BeachesMoms, a social media experience at Beaches Resort in Turks and Caicos. It's not a free ride by any means; airfare is pricey! But I get to learn from and enjoy the company of other savvy bloggers while in paradise.

My blog numbers are on the smallish end. But I don't inflate with never-ending reviews and giveaways. I am a media buyer by profession; I am smart enough to know those numbers have a large chunk of visit-once-and-never-return (unless you have more free stuff) "readers". While a handful of blogs can be successful this way, it is not my niche. I blog because I like to write.

Type A Conference weekend: Part 2 (LINKY)

I have had several friends ask me why I attended a blog conference.  

What is a blog conference? 

What do you do there? 

Is it fun? 

How cool are those light-up Mickey ears!?

I have a unique position in the blogging world. I probably have a very different reason for attending the Type A Conference as compared to most of the others in attendance.

My blog is not a business. I take small opportunities as they come, offer an occasional giveaway, review Atlanta family attractions and shows, and otherwise just share a little bit about my life as I struggle to balance work, blogging, parenting, kindergarten, and (soon!) a newborn addition to our home. I am pretty real. The voice on this screen is my voice, no sales pitches or attempts to seem bigger than I am. 

Attending Type A allowed me to spend some quality social time with other parents who "get it".

Type A Conference weekend: Part 1 (LINKY)

Wow, I have so much to write about this week. And consequently, so little energy! My weekend kicked off on Friday with the Type A Parent Conference at the Westin Buckhead Atlanta. I wasn't able to arrive until after school hours, so I popped in to catch a few friends and a chair massage courtesy of MSN's Bing Lounge. Not a bad way to begin a long weekend of activities!

Type A Parent Conference is coming to the ATL - soon!

It has been almost two years since I attended my very first (and so far, only) blogging conference. What to Expect from Bloggy Bootcamp

As a "hobby blogger", I am not strongly focused on monetization or constant reviews and giveaways. I blog to chat, to share thoughts, and occasionally to reduce some of the stress of balancing parenting with work and the rest of life (and soon a newborn! Yikes.) Because of this, I do not attend conferences that involve extensive travel - it's just an expense that I cannot justify at this time. So I was very excited nearly one year ago that we would be getting The Type A Parent Conference Atlanta!

I purchased my ticket with early bird pricing, possibly a year in advance.

Time has come... blog announcement

I guess this Balancing Mama is not balancing so well anymore. I need some free time for my brain to be quiet. Part of a true life balance, I believe, is down time. Time to just be me with no deadlines, worries, or pressures. I am sticking to my word for 2013.

What do I do with Pinterest?

Do you know that fine line between young and old, current and out of touch? I feel like I am on the wrong side these days. I don't recognize most of the artists on the radio, I have no idea what movies are out in the theaters (unless it's G-rated from Disney), and I am slipping behind in the social media sector.

Clearly, I was once an early adopter. I have been blogging for a few years, I'm an avid Facebooker, I tweet, schedule updates with Hoot Suite, check my Klout, and support blogging talent via Triberr tribes. But I am missing the boat when it comes to some of the newer social media sites/tools.

What exactly do I stumble? Or tumble?

LeapFrog #giveaway - coming soon!

Almost Turkey Day! I have not done many giveaways lately, but I have a healthy dose of holiday spirit! I can't pass up a chance to help one of you to possibly win a few great prizes. I posted about the Step 2 kitchen giveaway recently. That one, along with this one, will go live in just a couple days. Be sure to check them out, and good luck!

Ultimate Leapfrog Holiday Prize Pack Event

Hosted by: StuckAtHomeMom.com and TheNightOwlMama.com

LeapFrog Prizes:

• Leapfrog LeapPad2
• Leapfrog Leapster Gs
• Leapfrog Brave Game
• Leapfrog Leapschool Math Game
• Tag with Human Body Discovery Pack

 

Event date: Nov 17th, 2012 to Dec 3rd 2012

Free Blog Event! Sign-up here, BLOGGERS WANTED

Measure twice, cut once - another sumbission to Little Four Eyes

Posted a summary of our anxiety-ridden eye journey on the Little Four Eyes site!

It is my second post for them - I cannot thank them enough for including me. I have already "met" some moms with a similar rare outcome like ours, and I even have a new question or two for our doctor when we see him again next month.

Send over some support to this great site:
Measure twice, cut once: Our tale of strabismus surgery