The other day, I wrote about the most popular posts on my blog in 2021. But they’re not my own favourites!
For many years, I blogged six or seven times per week, as there was always lots of stuff to write about. But in recent years, I’ve gradually started blogging less and less. My kids are grown up or nearly grown up and their stories are their own, not mine to share (although I have permission to share all the long jump stuff, which I’m very happy about). In addition to having less material, I seem to have less time to blog too. Now my posts tend to be about myself or more influenced by things my family do rather than real specifics. We certainly have valuable experience to share – whether that’s about ballet exams, kids’ sports, apprenticeships or Veganuary.
These days, I tend to share one photo post a week, one book review a week and only one or two posts about family and life per week. But I’ve still written plenty of posts which I’m very happy with (even if very few people have actually read them!).
So, here, in no particular order are some of my favourite posts of 2021…
At the end of 2020, my dad was seriously ill in hospital with Covid-19 and we feared he may not pull through, then he surprised me early in 2021 with this admission – ‘Parkrun saved my life’. Then he surprised us with yet another admission – Covid-19: I never felt ill. In a way, that didn’t entirely surprise me, as whenever I’d spoken to him he hadn’t seemed that ill, yet the information we were getting from the hospital told a very different story. Although things have moved on now with most people being vaccinated, my dad’s story is an important reminder!
If there’s one thing we know quite a lot about in our family, it’s sport for kids. So I thought I would share our experiences of just why sport is so important for kids – The importance of sport for kids.
People of my age are often stuck between caring for both their (usually teenage) kids and their ageing parents. It can be a difficult time. It is something which will come to many of us at some point in our lives, so it was worth sharing – Becoming the sandwich generation
My son, gaming and the eBay phase was actually a more personal and quirky post – about a teenage boy’s development stage you don’t often read about – the ‘eBay phase’, when they suddenly develop a love of buying and selling things online.

January 7, 2022
I think I have read all of your blog posts which you mentioned.
I am glad your dad is doing well at the moment. My dad has recovered well thankfully. I am not a sporty person, neither is my family but I love reading about your running and your son and the long jumping. x
January 8, 2022
Thank you! You are definitely one of my most dedicated readers and I really appreciate it.
My dad is just the same as any other man of his age now (probably a bit fitter than most, to be honest). So glad to hear your dad has recovered well too.
It’s nice to hear that you enjoy reading about the running and the long jumping, even though it’s not something you do yourself. I definitely enjoy writing about them! x