Update – I’m a Finalist!
Thank you for your nominations, I’m delighted to share that I have been shortlisted as one of five finalists in the Baby/Toddler Influencer category. Now, rather than asking for your nomination, I’m now asking for your vote. Click here or the image below to vote before Friday 28th February 2020.
Original Post
This year marks the return of the Tots100 MAD Awards (Mum and Dad Awards) for blogging, and I’m officially throwing my hat into the ring. The awards have twelve categories, designed to shine a light on some of our industries brightest and most wonderful. The parenting blogging community is one I am incredibly proud to be a part of. The support and encouragement found in Facebook groups, on Instagram and in real life is a rare and beautiful thing. The bloggers I once admired became supporters, then online friends and now the times I get to spend with these men and women ‘in real life’ are much looked forward to and cherished.
Favourite Baby and Toddler Influencer
I’m asking for your consideration to be nominated for the Favourite Baby and Toddler Influencer, which is open to influencers with children aged three years old and under. This category perfectly sums up my blogging journey so far, having started during my second trimester in pregnancy and now we’re in the six month countdown to Pickle’s fourth birthday. From Little Pickle’s Mom to Holly Made Life, this blog has followed the journey, creating it’s own little community of supportive parents along the way.
How to Nominate
If you’d like to nominate any of your favourite parenting influencers, the full category list and nomination form can be found on the Tots 100 website.
For a reminder of some of my blogging highlights this year, take a look at my 2019 Year in Review, and if you’d like to see why I think I deserve a nomination, have a read below.
Creating Content that Resonates
Some of the content I have been most proud of, are those that have been the hardest to write because they expose something that made me feel quite vulnerable. It’s easy to share the parts of our lives we are proud of, but it’s a different kettle of fish to share the things we’re worried about or the things that make us feel abnormal.
One of my most read blog posts is ‘Are we just co-existing?‘, an honest exploration of marriage and sex in the first year of parenthood. I cannot describe how comforting it was to know my experience mirrored that of many, up and down the country, making me (and others) feel less alone.
I’ve also shared a lot about our experiences of biting. During his teething months, Pickle would periodically go through horrific phases of biting, and unless you’ve been there and worn the parenting t-shirt, it’s hard to describe how awful it is. We are, thankfully, past it now but my content still stands, offering both emotional support and practical support for parents of biters.
#OutsideinAutumnChallenge
In the last year, I’ve been determined to share and encourage the mental and physical benefits of time spent outside to family life. We never feel more connected, more energised and more at peace after a day running around in the fresh air. It’s why so much of my content is focused on our outdoors adventures, whether that’s just a simple walk to the shops, a day spent on the water, camping in a field or mountain climbing.
In September 2019, I created the #OutsideinAutumnChallenge on Instagram as a way to start a little community of likeminded parents (and non-parents!) to share ideas for getting a daily dose of fresh air over the Autumn months. I loved seeing the images shared and I’m incredibly proud of the result.
UK Family Travel: Camping and Self-Catering breaks
As a child, I grew up holidaying at Haven and in trailer tents, and I honestly believe these kinds of holidays offer the perfect restbite from busy every day life for families. Our budget friendly camping trips have been some of the best weekends we’ve had as a family over the last couple of years, and we have lots more planned!
I’ve shared our tips for camping with a toddler, and love reviewing the campsites we’ve visited up and down the country including Golden Valley campsite in Derbyshire and Hogsdown Farm (just £13 a night!) as well as the festivals we’ve been lucky enough to experience like Timber Festival.
Not JUST a Parent
Whilst this blog is heavily focused on our life as a family, I’m equally an advocate for the time we can devote to ourselves not just as parents. In 2019, I’m glad I took time for myself and my own development. Whilst a lot of my time has been spent studying for my professional accountancy qualification, I’ve also been able to develop my photography skills and blogging skills, as well as finding an absolute love for mountains. Reaching the Snowdon summit at Sunrise was undoubtedly my personal highlight of 2019.
My Work with Brands
Although the issue of influencer marketing is often a contentious one, I am proud of the brands I have worked with over the last year, and through careful consideration of the campaigns I take on, the content produced is relevant, interesting and passionate, and I’m always looking for ways in which this work can benefit my readers and followers.
Twinning Waterproofs with Regatta 
Family Day Out at Warwick Castle
Who Else to Nominate?
With twelve categories to fill in, there are many other parenting bloggers out there who are more than worthy of recognition. You don’t have to nominate in every category, but if you’d like some suggestions, here are some of my favourites:
- Blog Influencer of the Year
- Donna at What the Redhead Said
- Video Influencer of the Year
- Leanne at Mama Cornelius
- Favourite Family Lifestyle Influencer
- Colette at We’re Going on an Adventure
- Emma at BubbaBlue and Me
- Natalie at Plutonium Sox
- Favourite Baby & Toddler Influencer
- Emma at Mrs Shilts
- Clare at Mumsy Midwife
- Katy at Hot Pink Wellingtons
- Best Family Food Influencer
- Mel at Le Coin de Mel
- Best Family Travel Influencer
- Louise at Pink Pear Bear
