So, I start this community website where I’m basically bossing my fellow parents around, giving them suggestions on places to take their kids and the like. Why not make it official and take advice requests?

I actually receive a fair number of e-mails from folks asking for recommendations on local resources. And I am happy to provide. Actual child-rearing and parenting advice? Not so much. I’m just in the trenches and finding my way too! Local listservs and message boards are really the best if you’d like the advice of a diverse community of experienced fellow parents. Medical and child-development questions should go straight to the MDs.

Once in a while I’ll post e-mailed questions I receive and my responses. The identities of the emailers will be protected, my responses may be slightly edited here for typos and suckiness.

Here we go!

Gyms with childcare
First, I just want to say thanks for your extremely helpful blog. I am looking for a gym with great childcare/babysitting. From a mom’s perspective, which would you choose yourself ? Thanks very much, in advance, for any advice you can offer! – L in Silver Spring

APISS: Thanks for the kind words! One of the hardest things I have found to write about is childcare because I’m no expert, and the wants, needs and expectations of a childcare provider or facility vary so widely from parent to parent. I love pleasing everyone and I realized that when it came to recommending how a child would be cared for when not with the parent, that there was no way to meet everyone’s individual needs. That’s why I post resources for finding childcare, but not straight-up recommendations.

However, here are the gyms that I have found in the area that do provide childcare.

Hot Mama Fitness Studio in Bethesda – Make a reservation in advance for your baby or child’s spot in the Lil’ Lounge while you take a class or training session.

Bally’s Wheaton & Rockville – Kids must be at least 1 year of age AND walking.

YMCA in Silver Spring – Childcare while you work out for kids 6 months and up.

Rock Creek Sports Club – Babysitting for kids 6 months and up.

Washington Sports Clubs in Silver Spring, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, NW DC – Childcare for age 13 months – 12 years.

LA Fitness in Silver Spring – Babysitting for age 4 months and up.

Gold’s Gym Downtown Silver Spring & Cherry Hill-Silver Spring – Childcare for kids 4 months – 12 years.

And of course Stroller Strides allows you a total body workout with the kids, there’s no age requirement and they’re watched by the best babysitter ever – you.

Maybe readers know of others? If so, please comment below!

Seeking advice, writer to writer
I am also a freelance writer considering setting up a blog to support my business venture. Re-entry into work is exciting, but I find that I’m a bit intimidated by some of the new aspects of the communication playing field. I am considering setting up a blog, but a bit nervous about the whole process. - A in Silver Spring

APISS: I think a blog is an excellent creative outlet! I think of it as an easy, free way to have an online writing portfolio and it works for my schedule as a mom. Articles can be quick, casual and you can link to other sites for more info. You can post your own photos to go with your articles. You get to be your own editor and decide your own deadlines.

I say, just jump in and go for it. Once your blog is live, you can improve the template and presentation and add bells and whistles to spruce up the look. Or not. Some of the best blogs have a very simple design and just use the design templates on the free blogging platforms. I use Blogger’s free software. The website ProBlogger is great for tips and advice and focuses on best practices for a blog that reflects your personal career goals.

A blog on its own is not (usually) a way to make money, but I think it is becoming standard for writers’ self promotion. For the time spent on my website, I probably could have found a more profitable work-from-home option. I have sold some ads and after being up for 6 months I was accepted into the BlogHer ad network. But altogether I have made less money than I used to make babysitting on weekends as a teen. The main purpose of the blog was personal enjoyment, the establishment of something I felt was missing in the community, and an easy way to promote myself as a freelancer.

Read the blogs you admire and comment on them with a link to your blog or email them with your kudos. Before you know it, the writers you adore will be reading you. Ask to join any blog networks, group sites and offer to contribute/guest blog on websites you enjoy. Most don’t pay (I’ve rarely been paid for online-only content) so they’ll love the free content, and then you’ll bring new writers to your personal site.

Once you begin, email blast everyone you know and put your URL in all your bios and email signatures. You’ll immediately have a readership and following. You’ll create a buzz because people will email your blog to their friends and comment on your posts. You’ll already have a fan base.

Obnoxious email but maybe others are wondering too
How much money are you getting paid to write this stuff? Are companies giving you free s–t and in exchange your saying you like it? You don’t write very much. - Anonymous at an IP address I can see

APISS: Thanks so much for your courtesy! How is life treating you down in Capitol Hill? Do you like your Comcast service? Have you tried Art and Soul yet? Maybe we could meet up sometime for dessert, espresso and a grammar lesson. You sound cute!

Anyways, to answer your kind questions, I make enough money from ad revenue on this blog to purchase a tank or two of gas each month. For my freelance writing and communications consulting work, I receive checks commensurate with my experience. My main gig is taking care of my family.

I am contacted by PR people and companies to review products sometimes. If they seem like good quality, family-friendly products, I’ll check them out. If I like them, I’ll write about them on APISS Reviews. Sometimes they send me free samples that I can keep, sometimes they send me samples that I have to send back. Most of the time, if a free product is offered I give it away to readers to drive traffic on the site and so that more people will like me. Didn’t you know blogging was a way to raise my self-esteem and satisfy my need for acceptance? It’s a hobby. I failed at knitting and ultimate frisbee so I thought I’d give this a try.

Hugs and kisses,
Jessica

If you have an advice question that applies to local resources or blogging, send me an email and I’ll try my best.