What blogging means to me…

I have always loved writing. When I was a little girl, I remember watching a TV programme about a girl who was given the opportunity to be a journalist for a day, and after watching it, it was what I aspired to be. It’s funny that I now work as a web designer in a busy newsroom room full of journalists!
I kept a diary up until my early twenties and attempted to start a couple of blogs but never really got “into” them. I guess I was too busy enjoying life back then.
Now married with two children, it is certainly a different type of “busy” these days, and it was around this time last year I stumbled across Eeh Bah Mum’s hilarious blog and found the blogging community. I began reading blogs and agreeing to the many ups and downs of parenting and shortly after, decided to jump ahead and start my own.
I’ve been blogging for a year now, and I really love it. I just wish I’d started sooner so I could have documented my experiences as a first-time mum back when I had E five years ago. About how nothing could have quite prepared me for the utter exhaustion a tiny baby can bring you and completely turn your life upside down (in a good, albeit sleep-depriving way), how I felt like a complete failure because I ended up having an emergency c-section and then to top it off he wouldn’t take to the breast either. I battled through though, as we all do in our own way, and loved every minute of my maternity leave.
They all tell you to find “your voice” when blogging and to be yourself, but prior to this blog I think I’d lost that girl who loved to write. She was buried deep down somewhere as other things like being a wife and then a mummy took her place. She forgot to stop, look around and be ever so grateful for what she had in her life.
Blogging has re-ignited my passion for writing, and for making sure I now take note of the life, I have so that one day I can reminisce about them with hubby and the boys.
It has enabled me to make my memories last by documenting my family life and celebrating important milestones and achievements of my children – be it their birthday, first day at school or being awarded a certificate.
It has given my family and me some great opportunities ranging from days out to receiving great product reviews.
It has thrown me into the lovely blogging community where so many have been friendly and supportive. I hope to be able to meet some of these lovely people in the future as I prepare to attend some blogging events.
Most importantly though, it has given me my own space and my own time that is not tied to the day-to-day running of the house, work, hubby or the boys.
It has given me something that I can call my own.
Thank you to Lisa over at mrssavageangel for tagging me to do this post.
I’d like to tag the following lovely ladies if they would like to join in?
- Laura over at Dot Makes 4
- Stevie over at A Cornish Mum
- Cherie over at Cherry’s Not My Name

![[AD] We’re a cricket-mad family, so we’re buzzing that @thehundred is back this August! 🏏🔥
To get ready, M tried out the official FREE Activity Pack — and it’s brilliant! 🙌
Packed with fun games, creative challenges and sporty tasks, it’s perfect for getting kids hyped whether you’re at home or on the go.
👉Download yours now (link in bio)
@londonspirit @ovalinvincibles #EveryMomentCounts #TheHundred
#EnglandCricket #CricketFamily #TheHundredCricket #LondonBloggers #Cricket #CricketIsLife #kidsfun](https://suburban-mum.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/505472555_18531279601016840_7092520074819907569_n-180x320.jpg)



![[AD - Press visit]
We enjoyed the glorious sunshine this weekend with a trip to Brighton. We went on the @brightoni360official which is right by the sea front.
The i360 pod take a slow journey up, allowing you to take in views across Brighton and the South Downs 450ft above ground. There’s a bar inside with drinks and snacks available to purchase and the experience lasts 25 minutes.
Afterwards, we headed to the open air roller rink for a roller skating session!
The roller rink is:
⭐ Suitable for over 5s
⭐ £6.50 if you have your own skates or £9.50 if you need to hire them
⭐ 45 minutes per session
Full details to visit the i360 + skating
📍 Brighton i360, Lower Kings Road, Brighton BN1 2LN
🚗 Parking nearby (we parked in the Regency Square Car park)
🎟️ Prices start from £25.40 for an adult and £16.90 for a child
🕐 Opening hours are currently Sun-Fri 10.30am-18.30pm and until 19.30pm on Saturdays
☕️ Bar inside the i360, cafe and gift shop
Book tickets here:
https://tickets.brightoni360.co.uk/tickets/?_ga=2.195305772.1869001490.1689671753-1757164059.1689671753/#events?eventid=157](https://suburban-mum.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/417980235_313576471048632_3682382982231216432_n.jpg)

![[AD] ***Summer of fun at Barracudas Activity Camps!****
There is plenty for kids to do at @barracudas_activity_day_camps
From Tennis, Archery, Swimming, Motor Sports and more you can be sure that there will be something for kids aged 4.5-14. ⚽🏈🥅🎾🏓🏎️🏹🏊♂️🏉
You can book on a day by day basis - so it can fit in with any other days out/activities you have planned and there are early drop off and late pickup options available. Barracudas are also Ofsted registered so you can use your Childcare Vouchers too.
⭐⭐⭐Get £20 off a week or £4 off a day using my discount code: MARIA20⭐⭐⭐
#BarracudasActivityDayCamp #BarracudasActivityCamp #BarracudaAmbassadors #SummerHolidays #SchoolHolidays #Summer2023 #SummerCamp #DayCare #Camp #KidsCamp #surreymummy #surreymums #SummerOfFun #ActivityCamps #HolidayCamps #Childcare #SchoolHolidays #schoolholidaycamps](https://suburban-mum.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/353583570_625625966167953_545896259645102575_n.jpg)



![[AD] We have some super exciting news...we have been chosen to be Laser Quest Ambassadors, and the boys are over the moon!
We are really lucky that our local Laser Quest (@laserquestkingston) is just around the corner from us. It means we can pop in of a weekend or anytime during the school holidays, and with summer just around the corner, I know Laser Quest will be one of our go-to places for some family fun.
As well as games of Laser Quest, there are also VR experiences and arcade amusements too. To find out a bit more about how Laser Quest works, you can read my blog post: https://www.suburban-mum.com/laser-quest-kingston/ (clickable link in bio)
Don't forget to keep an eye out for our Laser Quest posts - I'm going to be giving away two family passes to use at Laserquest Kingston!
If you can't wait and want to head down to Laser Quest to try it out, use the code SUMMER30 for 30% off your booking. The code is valid from now until the end of August 2023 and can be used on Laser Quest games and birthday party bookings.
#LaserquestAmbassador #Laserquest #LaserquestKingston #ActivitiesForKids #FamilyFun #DaysOutWithKids #Lasertag #LaserquestVR #Kingston #ThingsToDoInKingston #SurreyFamilyDaysOut #ThingsToDoWithKids #RainyDayFun #SurreyMummy #SurreyLife #LifeWithKids #LifeWithBoys #familyfunday](https://suburban-mum.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/353230107_797358078406942_2405522556733455165_n.jpg)

![[AD] The sun has finally made an appearance and the boys have been making the most of it by spending it
in the garden.
They’re go-to is always football and they’ve been trying to improve their aim and accuracy with the new Messi Foldable Footlball goal from the #MessiTrainingSystem range.
I love the fact the goal is foldable, making it easy to store away when not in use. It is also lightweight so you can effortlessly pack it up and take it to the park or to a friend’s house.
The Messi Foldable Football Goal retails at £36 and can be purchased from @argos
You can read my full review here: https://www.suburban-mum.com/messi-foldable-football-goal/
#TrainLikeMessi #FoldableFootballGoal #FootballSkills #OutdoorFun #LionelMessi #LeoMessi #FootballAtHome #OutdoorKids #JustGetOutside #OutdoorsAndFree #ScreenFreeKids #WhateverTheWeatherKids @flair_gp](https://suburban-mum.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/341194882_615024710178056_41977149395989448_n.jpg)

![[AD] We are absolutely thrilled to announce that we are Barracuda Ambassadors again this year.
With Easter just around the corner, the boys were sent the @barracudas_activity_day_camps new camp kit in preparation for the school holidays.
There’s a wide range of activities for kids aged 4.5 - 14 including Tennis, Archery, Basketball, Arts & Crafts and more.
If you like the sound of Barracudas, find out more over on their website. You can also save £20 a week or £4 a day, using my discount code: MARIA20](https://suburban-mum.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/336812306_765234558514317_685553691647241974_n.jpg)


![[AD - Gifted]
Last weekend we were invited to try out @tsarettaspice’s new Bottomless Brunch menu and I can tell you it was thumbs up all round!
There’s a good choice tapas on offer from Punjabi fish fingers, Indo Chinese Chicken to Spiced Lamb Scotch Eggs and Manchurian Cauliflower (which was amazing!)
If you’re local to Twickenham and fancy giving them a try here’s are the details.
Tsaretta Spice Bottomless Brunch
⭐️£37.50 per head for bottomless Prosecco or cocktail of the day
⭐️£55 per head for bottomless Champagne
⭐️ Food included: 4 tapas selections and dessert or 2 tapas selections, a pav or naanwich and dessert
⭐️ Non-alcohol brunch is also available
Tsaretta Spice
55 Church Street
Twickenham
TW1 3NR
You can also read our full review over on the blog (link in bio)](https://suburban-mum.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/334565436_5960402314015030_663031098700829518_n.jpg)
![[AD] What does family look like for you?
I am fortunate to be surrounded by strong, powerful women in the form of my mum, sister and mother-in-law (along with many others). With Mother’s Day just around the corner, @BootsUK want to celebrate all the different mums and mother figures we are lucky enough to have in our lives. They have a huge range of Mother’s Day gifts to choose from so we can show them how much they mean to us. (swipe to take a look at some of my choices)
If you want to express love and appreciation for the mother figure(s) in your life, head to Boots.com to find the ideal gift. They have a whole host of gifts, so you can be sure to find something to suit all tastes. Celebrate the #LoveForAllMums this Mother’s Day with Boots.
](https://suburban-mum.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/334276459_136658625736352_6403224988403337253_n.jpg)




8 thoughts on “What blogging means to me…”
Thanks for tagging me 🙂 So much of this is similar to me, I definitely wish I’d discovered blogging earlier, but I think maybe now was just the right time 🙂
Stevie x
You’re welcome Stevie! xx
You’ve hit the nail on the head regarding it being something you can call your own. In between unloading the dishwasher and making the packed lunches…the blog is your own. I just wish it wasn’t so all consuming though. I find the social media train exhausting and want to the train to stay in the station sometimes and even want to get off sometimes! But it’s still rewarding. #brilliantblogposts
You’re so right – it can be very consuming and the social media thing too. Having to remember to link up to linkys and comment on blogs etc can be quite hard if you are already pushed for time as a busy working mum! That said, I do enjoy it usually (when I feel I’m on top of things) Not so much lately though as am quite behing! arrgghh x
I wish I had found blogging sooner too, I spent so long procrastinating. I was terrified of the techie parts (still am)! But like you, I think the community is fabulous. Congratulations on your 1st Blog birthday x
Thank you Lisa – still doesn’t feel like I’ve been blogging for a year. Still feel like a newbie but I do enjoy it. The community is great don’t think I’d enjoy it half as much without it! 😉
Lovely post, love Eeh Bah Mum too, blogging helped me overcome a traumatic birth and then it became my career, I never expected it to but so glad it has, it brings my family and I so much joy. Love your blog x
Ah thanks so much Vicki – that means alot! I think it’s the same for alot of us. Blogging brings us all some form of happiness. x