Thursday 8 August 2019

"Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing. "


Ive written so many posts about the things we get up to, the places we go, and the things we create but I haven't actually written about the one thing that takes up my evenings when the boys are tucked up in bed.  Writing the blog has taken up a lot of my evening time over the years. I'd never really been the sort of person that committed to anything but that all Changed when I became a dad and my life was turned around for the better. Being a dad is the greatest thing that has ever happened in my life, my defining moment, and when the boys are awake my time is completely devoted to them and the blog really helps me with this. It keeps me motivated to be constantly doing things with them and making sure that they get the attention they deserve. 



I can see how easily it could be as a parent to just sit on your bum and let the kids get on with whatever they want to be doing but that's not the way I could ever be. I have unfortunately had a bad relationship with my own family over the years and I never want my boys to feel how I have. We may not have a house that is immaculate all the time, the list of DIY jobs keep mounting up and maybe we cant always afford to go on holiday when we want but I know that the boys go to sleep and wake up happy and as a dad that shows me that I am doing a great job.


I started the blog for the boys, we play a lot and I wanted them to be able to look back on this and see all of the fun that we had and are still always having. At first it was all about our Lego builds and the crazy craft activities that we come up with. As the years have gone by though it has turned into so much more, its something for all of us to look back on including friends, family and all of the regular readers that are following me on this amazing adventure of being a dad. I feel so lucky to have the boys in my life they will never know how much they have bettered me as a person and the fact that I can look back on the pages I have written is amazing as I know that time can never be taken away from me.


Even if there are negative things going on my life, things that are getting me down, I know that as soon as I sit down at my computer to write for that time it all goes away. I try not to write anything negative on here, after all the blog is a celebration of everything family, It's about colour, fun and creativity. Its a way for me to come across as I am meant to be seen with out the outside negative influences of my childhood creeping in.


What I'm trying to say amongst all the waffle is that the writing really means a lot to me and hopefully it will to the boys when they are older and understand it all. It's been an interesting journey, not all good, but the three of us have really grown together and we've got each other through a whole mess of heartache. I'm looking forward to another year of documenting our adventures and watching the boys grow into proper little gents. Being a dad us truly amazing.



5 comments:

Sarahmumof3 said...

I've on;y just found your blog but I a pleased I did, its wonderful love all the fun and colourful things you have going on... and the reasons you have down here are the best sort of reasons to blog..

GiftsFromThePirates said...

Hey Sarah, Thanks for reading it's always lovely to find that we have got new readers. Nice to meet other bloggers too i will have a read of yours in a bit. Hope you and your family are having a great evening xx

Rebecca Beesley said...

i've been struggling with things 'offline' lately and have been having the 'to blog or not to blog' about it dilemma as if i only show the fun stuff, i have this fear that i am not being honest with the blog, and yet I too really want it to be a positive place for the kids to look back on and i think seeing what you have written here kind of gives me 'permission' to do that. Combined with your quote heading on your other blog post i just read about our greatest weapon about stress (hope little one gets completely well soon - it is horrid when they are poorly), I just feel like i am finding little answers and little messages all over the place that i think is helping me know whats best to do. thank you xxx

GiftsFromThePirates said...

Hey Beesley Buzz,
I had a few days like that a month back and ended up writing my first negative post, i too wanted the blog to be a positive place for the boys to visit when they are older but i felt like it was something that needed to be said. It wasn't moany and thankfully i haven't looked back on it and regretted writing it. Although what was going on wasn't directly involving the boys it was relevant to being a parent and although i debated publishing it i think that sometimes reading the things that i have written they will get a better understanding of the person i am and why I'm so devoted to them. My advice would be whatever you are feeling at the time just embrace it, your a writer and you have a great family that give you plenty to write about, life isn't always happy and sometimes its okay to write a post with a frown on your face its only natural. It makes me happy that my post had a positive effect on you and i look forward to reading your upcoming posts.
Hope you and the family have a great weekend.
Pauly

P.s Thanks for the get well soon I'm hoping they will be a lot better tomorrow xx

Derek R. Douglas said...

Like I said in my other comment, your blog is truly inspiring. Focusing on the positive and making honest efforts to be a good dad. I have been contemplating doing something of this sort for the last little while. A blog that would focus on the balance between my freelance illustration career and my family life. I've always been intentional about being there for my kids and trying to be the best dad that I can be, but sometimes I feel like I could be better for them. The last 2 years have been very busy for my career and my family, with the birth of my third child and getting my first two book illustration jobs, all while continuing to work a nearly full time second job. It’s been hard at times but good. My blog would be a place to not only explore and talk about my breaking into the illustrating world, but also to be a way for me to intentionally keep me on track with my family, allowing me to truly connect with my kids by doing fun activities and creative projects together. It would be an amazing digital scrapbook of their childhood and these times for us. I don’t think it was any accident, my stumbling upon your blog.
Cheers,
Derek.