The Blog Lowdown – AutismMumma

Today on The Blog Lowdown, I’m really pleased to be bringing you the lovely Jeanette from AutismMumma

Please Introduce yourself:
Hi, I’m Jeannette and I blog at AutismMumma. As the title suggests, I’m Mumma to two children with autism, T who has high functioning autism and is nearly 12 (just about to start secondary school *sniffs*) and D, aged 10, who has the classical form of autism with delayed speech, delayed motor skills and shed loads of anxieties. I also have an older child (C), who’s left home.

When did you start blogging?
I started blogging about 2.5 years ago, by accident really. I read other parents’ posts and they really helped me understand a bit more about the future challenges we could face. Blogging also became my own little account of our lives and I can look back and see already how far we’ve come.

Tell us a little about your blog
I’m never sure where AutismMumma fits in to the blogging world. Yes, it’s a parenting blog, but with a difference. I always try to write positively because, although I never expected to be an AutismMumma, it has changed me for the better and made me consider issues I may not otherwise have done. I do a daily diary post (which is great to look back on, with our highs and lows), recipes, book reviews (we love books!), Music Monday, wellbeing and other topics I feel may be of interest.

Who designed your blog?
It’s all my own design at the moment, I’m saving up my pennies for a revamp but until then, my header (and Twitter avi) are a painting of me, by D. I started out on bluecrisps.wordpress.com, got tempted over to a blog host (slight mistake because I lost control of content – they would refuse to put on badges/add in pages) and then I moved to self-hosted late last year.

Which of your posts have been the most popular? Are there certain types that get more interest?
I was amazed that a post was mentioned in the Huffington Post, a post that I’d compiled in response to a rapper insulting one of his followers by saying he looked autistic – Dear 50Cent
The Camera Does Lie is also a popular one
And certain reviews still generate hits

How do you promote your blog posts, and which methods do you find to be most successful?
I only really use Twitter. I keep wondering about Facebook and whether I should join up. I’ve just started using Instagram.

Which linkys do you most enjoy joining in with/reading?
I co-host Small Steps Amazing Achievements on alternate Wednesdays, on the other Wednesdays I host Wellbeing Wednesday, which encompasses diets, books, hints and tips for our wellbeing as parents/carers (this was previously Wobbles Wednesday).
I always join in with Word Of The Week, Magic Moments, Reasons To Be Cheerful and My Sunday Photo and link up with Tried and Tested, Country Kids and What’s The Story if I have a post.

When are your busiest days on the blog, and why? (if you know why!)
Wednesdays are my busiest days but there is usually a steady stream of visitors throughout the week.

Can you name 3 things that blogging has brought you?
An outlet, to be told that your child has a lifelong disability is absolutely gutting at first, you have to re-think any preconceptions you might have and then you accept and resolve to do your absolute best for them. Blogging is my outlet.

Understanding and Friendships. I connect with people that I never would have the chance to otherwise. People I may or may not ever meet but we “get” each other.

Blogging also can force me to revisit memories and experiences, some really quite buried, I meet them, blog them out and move on.

My Top Tips for Bloggers:
Don’t worry about the stats and numbers, be true to yourself and your blog.

Take the time to reply to comments, if people take the time to leave a comment I really appreciate it.

Don’t be afraid to turn down review and sponsored opportunities if you feel they don’t fit your blog.

Take a blogging break if you need it, just a few days off sometimes means you’ll return refreshed and full of ideas.

My Social Media Links:
You can find me on Twitter and Instagram

AutismMumma

Thanks very much, Jeanette. How fabulous to be featured in the Huffington Post!

If you’ve any questions for Jeanette, feel free to comment on this post, and she’ll pop by and check in. Next week, we will be hearing from Ellen from Mama, You Talk? so be sure to pop by for that on Tuesday morning. You can catch up the previous posts from other bloggers here, too, if you’ve missed them.

If you’d like to feature on The Blog Lowdown, just email me at [email protected] to get involved.

To ensure you don’t miss any blogger posts, you can now sign up for my newsletter, and I’ll always include The Blog Lowdown round up in those.

Other posts you might like:

My 20 Top Tips for Bloggers

A Blogger’s Guide to Pinterest

10 Tips to Get your Blogging Mojo Back

Follow on Bloglovin

Visit The Reading Residence’s profile on Pinterest.

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