Mummy Blogger of the month

August’s ‘Mummy Blogger of the Month’ title goes to Steffi; mum of two and author of Mummy Do That.

Steffi works in the voluntary sector for a major children’s charity, is an activist and also a nutty knitter. She is passionate about asylum and refugee issues, child poverty, sustainability/climate change/peak oil, parenting and crafting… and has been blogging for a looong time. How does she do it?

Read our interview with this dedicated mum to find out what makes her tick:

1. Is there such a thing as ‘too many bloggers’?

No, not really. Every blog is different and the more the merrier, the more inspiration, the more fun. It does get difficult keeping up with all blogs that I like these days, but there’s no pressure, your read, comment, write as much or as little as you like. It’s all good.

2. What is the biggest hindrance to keeping your blog up to date?

Time. I never write as much as I’d like to. Sometimes, there’s an article that needs some research and I simply don’t manage to get the time to do that, and it may just not make an appearance at all. I have many interests, and as much as I enjoy blogging, the balance has to be right – I could spend my whole free time blogging, but there are other things I enjoy doing and I make sure not to lose sight of them!

3. What is your favourite family holiday memory?

We have only been on one proper family holiday so far – being an expat mum we tend to visit my side of the family rather than go on holiday, or combine the two, which we did a year and a half ago, when I was just pregnant. I was as sick as a dog in a form of all day morning sickness and didn’t really enjoy the holiday very much. However, it was so lovely to see my daughter enjoy the sand and the sea, build sandcastles with her daddy. One day they built a massive hole in the sand and they took turns jumping into it. The exuberance of my daughter and the bonding with her dad was just amazing to watch.

4. What is the first thing you think about when you wake up in the morning?

Oh no! I’m a terrible morning person. I’m ok once I’m up, but those first moments of realisation that it’s time to get up are just not very pleasant.

5. What word or phrase do you find yourself repeating endlessly on a day to day basis?

Can you try to be a bit quieter please! Can you please speak in a language I can understand, I have no idea what you are saying. (and both would be in German of course)

6. What is your least favourite thing about being a mum?

Not being able to focus on anything complex while the kids are about or not being able to see an activity through. Like an important phone call, or planting out the lettuce (should take 15 minutes, took 2 days)

7. What is the most embarrassing thing said (or done) in public by either of your children?

A while ago, my daughter was obsessed with pointing out fat people and talking about them, so I’d explained time and time again that we don’t call people fat because it’s not very nice. One day, while shopping, my older daughter sees a man and starts this conversation in German in earshot of the man: “Mummy, is it ok to say ‘dick’ (big)”? “Yes, it’s ok to say “dick”, we just don’t say that anyone is “fett” (fat).” “Mummy, this man is ‘dick’ ” Me, absentmindedly, because I’m trying to get the shopping done, and after casting a brief glance at the man in question who was indeed a bit on the big side: “yes, that’s right” Man turns around and breaks into laughter. I wonder if he might be offended by the use of “dick” in its English meaning but replaying the conversation mentally, decide that this can’t be and that he must have laughed about something else. Later he is behind us at the check out. And strikes up a conversation in German with my daughter… One red faced mama left the shop.

8. Is Facebook overrated?

I’m the wrong person to ask, because I’m nothing short of addicted to Facebook. I love the way you can keep in touch with what’s happening locally, find out about the things that interest you, keep in touch with friends far and near and engage in discussions. I’m wary though of the way you lose control of your own pictures and their unethical privacy settings.

9. What has been your favourite film this year (and why)?

We don’t go to the cinema much and most films we see we watch on DVD at home which means that I don’t get to see them when they’re just out. I really enjoyed the Stieg Larsson films, I’ve only seen 2 out of the trilogy so far. They were well made, clever and there’s nothing like a good thriller tackling a difficult topic. I also enjoyed Grow your Own though this is probably a slightly older film.

10. Do you have a life motto?

Be good, be kind, be truthful and be free (it’s a line from a song by the Hothouse Flowers and I love it as a way of being, or at least aspiring to being)