Happy New Year, RMF readers! Hope you’ve had a gorgeous Christmas and that you’re feeling fresh and motivated for all that 2018 has to offer.
I thought we’d start off the year with a round-up of some of our most popular posts from the last twelve months, and a question to you about what you’d like to see from us on these pages in 2018.
It’s no surprise that you loved reading founder Charlotte’s updates, in particular the exciting news that baby O’Shea number two is on the way, and her ‘Ask Me Anything’ feature. What was a surprise was the fact that so many of you commented to say that, like Charlotte, you too had suffered from diastasis recti.
Becky’s story about her breastfeeding experience was a popular one – no doubt boosted by the fact that she starred on none other than BBC Breakfast, talking about her decision to exclusively bottlefeed.
The most popular nursery tour was the beautiful classic unisex room that’s in the header, closely followed by Jenson’s nursery and Max, Murray and Meade’s shared bedroom.
The more practical posts were also popular – you readers loved reading about toddler portion sizes, baby changing station essentials and the Natural Cycles contraceptive app. Lots and lots of you wanted to know more about IVF which is great to hear, because it’s still such a taboo subject.
And the heart-breaking stories from baby Essie’s mama, Lorna; and baby Teddy’s mum, Elle, touched thousands of you and prompted many of you to leave messages of support and encouragement for both Lorna and Elle.
So now it’s over to you. What would you like to see more of on Rock My Family this year? Do you find the real mama experiences the most interesting articles? Are breastfeeding or birth stories your bag? Are the fashion posts your favourites? Do you love a good nursery tour? Leave your suggestions in the comments box below and you may see them on these pages in 2018.
Header image by Carly Buick Photography
Images of Charlotte by Adam Crohill
Image of Mabel and Alice by WE ARE // THE CLARKES
Image of cow toy by Adam Crohill
Image of Jenson’s nursery by Adam Crohill
Image of plate with snacks by Adam Crohill
Happy new year RMF! I really enjoy reading about personal experiences.i love reading about your personal experiences and would love a feature on a few of your daily routines, I’m just nosey like that and really enjoy seeing how other mums make work/parenting/school run work etc.Id also love a series from you guys on your personal experiences of common parenting issues and how you manage/managed them like sleep, toddler behaviours etc.big thanks.
Thanks Cath!
My first thought when you suggested daily routines was – my daily routine is so boring! – but then I’m interested to hear about other mums’ routines so this is definitely something we can look into. And noted on the sleep/toddler behaviour type post requests too 🙂
I’d like to see more stories of experiences. I’m a passionate advocate of breastfeeding but by God was it hard to get going! I know that a lot of people feel there’s too much pressure to breastfeed however I think that it’s reflective of our own experience and how we feel about breastfeeding. I know a considerable amount of women who stopped because they weren’t supported.
Love the nursery tours too.
Reviews of clubs would be good. Or family/youth centred volunteering?
Pets and children?
I always find the breastfeeding experience stories so interesting.
Great suggestions. Re pets and children: Lyra is begging for a dog after our neighbours got a puppy for Christmas!
What do you mean by reviews of clubs? X
How have people found clubs like baby sensory/music etc? Like actually how they found out about them and what their experience was of attending classes? Good for making friends?
Okie doke. Lottie did a post about some of the different baby clubs a while back but a new one may be in order x
http://rockmyfamily.wpengine.com/baby-clubs/
Love all of the above! The personal experiences are always good to read. I’d really like to see some positive breastfeeding and birth experiences because although it’s great to talk about the tough experiences lots of women have it’s also great to balance it with the positive experiences that many others have! Both are valid and I think if you’re an expectant mum there is a wealth of negativity out there (both online and when you speak to people in real life) and sometimes the positive stories don’t get shared. I know when I was pregnant for the first time I really wanted to read about positive birth experiences and my view was quite skewed that EVERYONE finds birth and breastfeeding a nightmare because that’s all I’d heard!
Would love to see some posts about sibling rivalry / jealousy and how to deal with it, toddler tantrums etc!
Love the blog, keep doing what you’re doing 😊 x
This is such a good point and has reminded me to write about my birth experience with Lyra which was a really positive one.
Sibling rivalry/jealousy and tantrum posts…noted!
Thanks for the lovely feedback x
I would love to see a post about Charlotte’s (or any other mothers) experience with private maternity care. This is something that I was considering before Alice was born, but now I am thinking about it much more seriously if we were to have a second. So it would be great to read about experiences of private maternity care and the workings of not being based at your local hospital. Thanks! X
Hi Steph! I have this in the pipeline for the next few months x
Happy New Year! I like the mix on the blog, I like the practical articles but also the pretty, nursery tours, shopping etc. I trust your recommendations on things ladies so I would love it if there were some travel articles on places/hotels you recommend with kids. Fern did some on Cornwall & Lottie on Devon & when we went on holiday I literally printed off the lists & followed these! They were way better than any travel guide 🙂 I think you have a great range of articles & I enjoy reading RMF & RMS every day x
So pleased it was helpful Nicola! I obviously need to go on more holidays and write more guides 🙂 I think a few more hotel recommendations would be a great idea xx
Ahh glad to help Nicola! I love these types of posts too, maybe we could have guest posts from readers who live in holiday type places? We do this on RMS sometimes 🙂
Fab shout Fern 😘
If anyone reading lives in a holiday type place and would like to write about a post about it I would love it if you could let us know by heading to the submissions page xx
Happy New Year RMF! Loved the posts in 2017, selfishly I would like some toddler room inspiration rather than Nursery tours! I like the suggestion above of daily routines, need to know how you amazing mamas do it! Also maybe a ‘Mum in…’ feature to get ideas about groups, activities in various towns / cities across the uk. Might help first time mums?
This is a great idea Sarah and yes to toddler rooms – I have nearly finished Mabel’s so I’ll be featuring that soon x
LOVE this ‘Mum in…’ feature idea x
Love the idea of a ‘mum in…’ feature!
Happy new year! I also think the current mix is fab- nursery tours etc aren’t really my thing but other people love them! I also like the new debate on a Monday as it is quite carefully moderated and deft.
Two things I would like to see- firstly more diversity. Have you seen #makemotherhooddiverse over on IG? As part of that I would like seeing Rock My getting a bit more socially active- advocating for parents and using the platform for good.
I would also like other readers to submit posts! Be the change you want to see people- I’ve done two posts for RMF now (ectopic pregnancy and unplanned homebirth) and one for RMS (from Friday) and would totally write more. Scribble it down and send it in!
YES Lucy!
Just had a quick peek at #makemotherhooddiverse and now following. If you can think of anything you’d like to write about along these lines let me know? Love a Lucy S post!
Brill suggestions and comments as always x
I’d like to have you include more stories from readers with older children 8 upwards. The challenges that these present offer a nice balance from toddlers, babies and bf. I’m just entering these years and I’m nervous. I’m also already thinking about how my children’s careers will be affected by ‘ai’ future and how I can help prepare them now. (If at all!) I love hearing about topical articles and LOVED the doctors opinion on things… maybe some more developmental psychology articles would be good?
I’m slightly scared that I am edging closer to that age bracket myself. Well, a couple more years but now Molly is six I’m starting to find all sorts of different things I need to know about. I want to keep them little forever. The whole career thing is actually really interesting (and scary) and I think i live in denial about how different their lives will be. Edd on the other hand is all for teaching them useful skills. He bough Molly a coding for kids book for her birthday 🙂 xx
I love the personal experience stories. I like the shopping posts but don’t find the nursery tours massively engaging.
I have spent far too much money due to the RMF shopping posts 🙈 x
Personal experience stories would be great. For me the biggest thing is having a newborn to care for, whilst trying to recover from a difficult birth which left me unwell for a few weeks, and the stress and exhaustion and just how to cope! I hadn’t anticipated feeling quite so bad and it being quite so hard! I felt this was pretty much the only thing no one ever told me. 5 weeks in and I’m slowly getting used to it but it still came as a big big shock. This blog has been a lifesaver and I have read and re-read certain posts to make me realise I’m not alone about some of my feelings about things and struggles with breastfeeding etc.
Big hugs Becky, it’s impossible to put into words how tough those newborn days can be – it really does feel like a relentless slog with no reward, but I absolutely promise you you’re doing a great job, even if you don’t feel like it. I cried everyday for the first six months or so with Elle (I’m not even exaggerating) and I just found everything so overwhelming. Ask for as much help as you can from friends and family and try to look after yourself, even if it’s just having a hot shower and putting on some clean clothes. You’ll get there, I promise xxxxxxxxx
The early days are so tough Becky. I used to tell myself when I first had Lyra that if I had made it through one day and she was still alive that I was doing a good job! Hang in there. Xx
I love the blog generally, but my favourite posts are shopping, personal experiences and practical (probably in that order!). I like the occasional nursery tours, but like others would also like to see toddler/older kids bedrooms.
What about a bit more on parenting teens and stepfamilies? I’m stepmum to a 14 year old and it’s been one of the hardest and most rewarding things that’s ever happened to me. I’d love to hear some conversation on this and maybe an insight into others experiences? Likewise, parenting a teen comes with its own specific challenges and I definitely think they merit discussion!
Looking forward to see what you guys have in store for 2018! Keep up the good work! x
I think these would make for great posts, good shout Tracy M x
I have to say that I am most likely to read a practical post. Generally about those big items you have to purchase or about issues faced and ways around it. I do love a nose at beautiful bedroom too, but generally one with a bit of personality and that looks like a room for a little one. I would also love to hear about more age specific activities. I follow play hooray on insta and I think lots of people would enjoy hearing about what activities you can do with little ones to encourage their development, etc.
I look forward yo following RMF for another year!
Thanks Tracey, will have to check out play hooray. xx
I love RMF, it continues to be one of the only blogs I read daily and have never tired of, I think you get the balance of pretty Vs practical exactly right. As other people have said I would love more posts aimed at older children. My son is 4 1/2 and there isn’t as much out there once you get past the baby and toddler stages. There was a great post from Becky on starting school and I’d like to hear more about these sorts of things. Also he’s an only child and I liked Naomi’s post on this subject too. I love love love Lottie’s craft posts and am always interested in activities and things to do with little ones. All the best for 2018
So pleased you like the posts Lindsey and sounds like your little one is the same age as Alice and Leo. Sure Becky and I can find some suitable topics for you. Also, so please you like the craft posts. I will have to plan some more 🙂 xx
Lindsey keep your eyes peeled on Friday as I’m back talking about how Leo’s been settling in at school 🙂 We can have a good chin wag about it 🙂
Happy New Year everyone!
I’ no help opinion-wise, because I really like the mix of topics you offer! Keep up the good work, you websites (RMF & RMS) bring me lots of joy on a regular basis!
Ahhhh bless you Anja, that’s so nice to hear 🙂
Love all the suggestions above! I’d find it useful to see some posts which look at the financial impacts of babies/toddlers/kids and tips on how to keep costs down.
Happy new year 🎉
We will get our thinking caps on Izzie. I know Lottie has an upcoming post along these lines x
I love RMF and read it daily. I have a nearly 2 year old daughter and have found your practical posts like “What to pack in your hospital bag’ incredibly useful, and have also loved the more personal articles about breastfeeding and birth stories.
This year, probably the most memorable article for me was Naomi’s on ‘Is an only child a lonely child?,’ as it’s an issue that has been weighing on my mind recently and it was so interesting to read other readers views on this topic. More like this would be fantastic!
I really enjoy RMF and like the personal posts and tours, however, my children are at a slightly older age, 2 & 6 so I would love to see some more posts age appropriate to them, e.g. boy and girl toddler / older kid room tours, holiday suggestions for going away with young children, UK or abroad, how to deal with the digital age (my husband is a deputy head at a high school and is in charge of internet safety / anti-bullying etc. and after I hear some of the things he talks about, I am so fearful of how life will be as they get older!) and birthday / Christmas present ideas for various ages.
I really like the idea of ‘Mum in…..’ feature, that would be great especially if you were visiting a new town! Perhaps the odd meal ideas or a weekly plan that other parents use to get some inspiration as I find meal times so tedious sometimes and worry about not giving enough variety.
Definitely would love to hear how mums juggle homelife and work / setting up their own business, I am starting my photography business and I really struggle to get anything done there as well as the usual school run, cleaning, washing etc. So any pointers would be a welcome read!
Looking forward to hearing more about Charlotte and baby no. 2 🙂 xx
Thank you for all the suggestions Inga, we will definitely add them to the list. My two aren’t so little any more either (6 and 4) so I can certainly help out with a few of the older kiddy suggestions. xx
i love the practical pages and advice about some of the ‘key’ purchases. the one about slings/baby carriers was particularly useful and more recently scooters/ride ons. I do love the personal experience stories too. Would love to see more ‘things to do’ type posts. I always enjoy Lotties craft posts but days out, U.K. And abroad holiday destinations, activities easy to do at home etc
You guys do an amazing job, hope you’ve had a lovely break
Things to do posts seems to be a popular one so we will get on it 🙂 xx
I really enjoy all the nursery and bedroom tours, especially now I’m pregnant again! Would like to see shared toddler rooms as I’m fighting against bunk bed urges and sleeping advice- our two year old will not sleep. At all.