Someone I'd Like You to Meet: Stephanie Precourt from Adventures in Babywearing

I met Stephanie Precourt at BlogHer this summer and she's someone who can instantly make you feel comfortable with her friendly cheerfulness. Even with over eight months of pregnancy under her belt she looked great and was so fun to be around.

Married to her husband Jeff, she is mother to three boys (Noah, Carter and Grayson--and if you haven't read their family's story you should, it's really something) and she gave birth to her daughter Ivy in September. Besides blogging at Adventures in Babywearing she also is the managing editor at 5 Minutes for Parenting, writes at Close to Home, Mama Speaks and Chicago Moms Blog--which pretty much boggles my mind. What a load!

So with all of this going on she still found time to be the guest judge for this month's Write-Away Contest and answer a few questions from me. While this is just a taste of what Stephanie's like you'll have to read her fun blog to get an even better sampling.

You’re an editor and contributor at several different sites—how do you judge whether or not to take on a new assignment and how have you added new jobs to your plate?

I often leap before I look when it comes to writing, but most of my sites have been added slowly over time and none of them require me to post often except for my personal blog (Adventures In Babywearing). The others are weekly or a couple times a month, so that helps. As the managing editor of 5 Minutes For Parenting I do have some daily upkeep, but I also have very talented contributors that make my job quite easy. I will have to say that money helps me decide when taking a new job and I have learned when to say no. I feel very blessed to be able to do what I love and make some income from it!

With all of the writing and blogging how do you manage feelings of being overwhelmed? Do you ever feel that way? (Can you tell what's been on my mind lately?)

Just recently the feeling of being incredibly overwhelmed has happened more than usual, for the first time I am experiencing the price of being so exposed. On top of trying to keep up in the online world (as well as having a new baby) there is so much pressure to be connected in every way and learn more about social media and this and that. I have to remind myself to stay true to the voice I want to maintain and not worry about keeping up if it is going to stress me out. This is my passion and if it’s meant to be, then I won’t have to force it.

Maybe this is a dumb question but has it changed with a new baby around?

At first I thought I was doing awesome balancing it all, but after a few weeks it really hit me that I have to put my blogging on the back burner while I take care of myself and my new baby. I have appreciated this mandatory “slow down” period.

How does your husband fit into the picture, especially if you’re traveling or out of town?

He is awesome. I never attend an event unless he is able to be home with the kids. He has already scheduled his vacation so that I can go to BlogHer next year! He is extremely supportive of my blogging and reads my blog everyday.

What’s your favorite thing about blogging?

I think my favorite thing is having an outlet to release my thoughts and keep a journal of my adventures in motherhood and really finding out more about myself along the way. I love the give and take with other bloggers and finding people I really “click” with (no pun intended).

What’s your least favorite?

My least favorite thing about blogging is the fear that I will offend someone. I always hope people read what I write as my own personal thoughts and not as critical opinions of how others should be or live. There is anxiety to keep up and never miss out on anything in the blog world so I won’t fall behind. If you are too caught up in all of that, then you won’t be able to fully live life, and then what is there to write about?
In regards to blogging, at what point did you decide “I love this?”

I think I was hooked from the very beginning. I’ve always been a writer, and it was fun carving my own space on the internet. Once the comments started rolling in though, I must say that helped!

Do you have any advice for beginning bloggers? How about those who’d like to turn professional?

I always advise new bloggers to comment, comment, comment. Get out and read other blogs, make friends, and leave a comment so they know who you are. If they want to go professional, I recommend establishing good content and traffic and attend blogging events. And above all, be yourself. We read because we want to know the real you, and it’s so easy to tell when someone is faking it.

Do you have outside interests besides blogging? What do you do in your spare time if you have a quiet afternoon?

I really love to nap. I try to take one every day. I also spend a lot of time taking care of the household and four kids. I enjoy every moment with them. As for hobbies, I love to shop, knit, and read. And one of my very favorite things to do is going to dinner with my friends.

How do you define success? Both as a mom and as a blogger?

I think I would define it as feeling content and fulfilled from the inside out.

Do you have any pet peeves about blogging?

I am always editing, so I notice misspellings and when words are used incorrectly. I also hate when bloggers start drama. Ugh.

What do you wish you’d known about blogging at the beginning that you know now?

I wish I had known more about the technical things like Technorati and site statistics, etc. I came in kinda late on all of that!

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