Update: We hoped to have a Thursday post for you guys but this week didn’t go as planned. So sorry!
Update #2: We’d love your thoughts on this thread that popped up on this post. What are your opinions about smaller posts when we can’t write something juicy? Skip them and just own that we can’t post that day with a little update like this one, or would you rather see something small instead of nothing (like a quick organizing update, a Reader Redesign, a dilemma we’re debating, etc)? Thanks for the feedback!
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Aoife says
Wow people have a lot of opinions, me included I guess!I think some people are being overly harsh saying that the blog has lost it’s spark. I loved when you were posting more often but I actually prefer the pace now. I don’t feel compelled to check the site as often! I enjoy all your posts although I’m not a hard core diyer. I have been skimming through the laundry room posts as it is a bit technical for me but I enjoy watching the progress. I think it’s only natural that you have been doing bigger projects since moving. You had a lot of work to do in this fixer upper and certain deadlines you wanted to meet before Teddy arrived. Totally understandable. I do miss some of the smaller posts like obh mentioned. I think there were great ideas there but essentially the nature of this blog is that it follows your home improvements. I also don’t see why people upset there was only one post this week. It’s very rare that you don’t post on a scheduled day and Monday was a holiday in the States I think? Life happens and sometimes we all need an extra day off. I had no problem with the can’t post update. If you would like to have a mini post substitute I wouldn’t complain but I’m sure those take time and effort too. Do smaller projects and some people will complain about ‘filler’ posts. Do bigger projects and some people will complain it’s too heavy. You’ll never please everyone. Do whatever works for you. I’ll still be stopping by!
Angela B says
BIG FAN of you guys. In fact when I have met you in real life I have found myself speechless. You guys are the “boy band” of my adult life :) That being said, I really love your small how-to posts. When you organize something it gives me inspiration to get my butt in gear. Or even when you talk about how you manage life. I just became a mom myself and would love to know how you work around feedings etc…
One last thing, don’t be discouraged by criticism. Everyone obviously keeps coming back for more.
Shawna says
I’ve been a faithful reader since discovering your blog and will keep checking for new content. I agree with many of the posters that Sherry’s “voice” is missing. Lately, it seems the most input from Sherry is her interaction in the comment section. That said, there are features I really miss that I felt were valuable content like House Crashing.
Lauren says
I loved your blog and read it religiously for a long time. When my husband and I renovated our first house, your blog was one of my go-to resources for learning how to tile or patch drywall. Or sometimes I would just visit to browse mood boards or for general design inspiration. What I loved the most was that I felt like you guys were just like us: two young DIY dorks trying to balance work life and family life.
But now, I find your blog completely unrelatable. We’ve moved on to a second house (similar to you) and we have a small family now (similar to you), but the constant whining and OMG SO BUSY comments really started to irk me.
My husband and I recently gutted our kitchen, down to the studs, and built it back up — all by ourselves. We both work full-time jobs, so the work was done at night and on weekends. It was an exhausting process. It made me furious to read your blog (which is your full-time job) only to find lackluster content and complaints about how being at home all day with your children is too much to handle. Give me a break.
I think the final straw for me (which may seem silly) was reading that you’re seriously considering IKEA cabinetry for your kitchen remodel. I thought this was your forever home? We don’t plan to be in our home longer than 5 years, but we put quality, solid wood cabinetry in our kitchen because we’re responsible adults and can afford it and we knew anything less wouldn’t fly with the buyers in our neighborhood. Your neighborhood seems very nice. I can’t imagine there are many people with IKEA cabinets on your block.
You seem so out of touch with reality, it’s hard to follow along.
Sally says
I know that this is at the bottom of a long list of comments, but I agree with a lot of them – i.e., the ‘spark’ that drew me to you is gone; I really liked your posts about the family, Clara, even Burger, but that seems to be gone now.
And if you didn’t mention his name once in a while, we wouldn’t even know there WAS a Teddy. And like the others, smaller posts are totally acceptable! Looked forward to! It does seem like fixing your new house is pretty much all you guys talk about.
Samantha T says
I love the small posts – small projects, crafts, organizing – I think they are great, even if they are small and simple. (Coming from someone in an apartment where I can’t do overhaul projects.) That being said, you seem to have lots of wonderful other projects and a fabulous family addition – so if the blog right now suites you, stay with it! I will keep readin’ and lovin’ it -just my little opinion that I really enjoy the different types of posts, redesigns, re-doing furtniture, crafts, organizing, and of course the family posts!
Love!
Tina says
I don’t know how you’re going to get through all these comments!
Thank you for the opportunity to add some input. You’re by far my favorite DIY blog. Well…favorite blog, period. I love that you don’t cut corners in your projects, you explain just what brought you to a decision when faced with options and you both have an excellent eye for style. I have a fixer-upper and your technical how-to posts are really helpful for me…I’m a visual learner so your step-by-step photos are bomb. Of course, I also like your smaller posts!
But this blog is YOURS and Jaclyn is right…Pinterest is full of “how to decorate X.” You have so much on your plate…so much more than we even realize, as hard as we try to imagine. “Fluff” pieces can get sort of…blah…if they’re forced. You’re posting what you’re working on and that laundry room has been taking up a great deal of your time lately (along with the book, 2 kids, normal day-to-day life, etc).
If this was a pay for content site, sure, you would owe it to your readership to make sure they’re happy. But this isn’t…this is YOUR blog and we’re mere voyeurs into the parts of your life that you’re willing to share. You do what fits into your life.
I, for one, am not going anywhere!
DKL says
Sherry and John, I have liked your blog in all its phases. It is always fun and informative. Just wanted to say that. To the general public, they have a newborn. Enough said.
Lidia says
YHL, here is more feedback (although the amount of comments already logged is astounding!)
Like everyone here, I adore your blog. Seriously. It’s one I go to everyday (!) and if nothing is posted for that day, I read one from your archives! My personal preference is to do away with giveaways – although I might change my mind about that if I won one :) That way we’d have one more post to enjoy for the week and it wouldn’t feel like we’re missing too much…either way, I love reading whatever you write so whether it’s technical posts, or small little crafts, you’ll still have a loyal reader in me – keep it up!
Jennah says
Chiming in to say I agree with so many others. I found you guys during your first house…a house not much bigger than the one I STILL LIVE IN. I really related to you then – you had a house like mine and you were making it cute! You’d just had a baby and I was newly pregnant! I am happy for your extreme luck in being able to upgrade not once, but twice… but can relate to so little of what you do now.
On the one hand, you spend way a ton of money on things like an outdoor sofa (I “splurged” on a $200 set for myself this summer). Then on the other hand, you penny pinch on the weirdest things and take the strangest shortcuts on other things, or always kinda one-trick-pony style do the same stuff. And then when you DO admit things don’t go right, you don’t go back and adjust old posts, I don’t think, to help others avoid pitfalls, and just seem so shinyhappy “not our fault” about it all that it’s maddening.
And the whining about having no time just hurts me, frankly. I am a mom and I work fulltime outside the home. I also head up a volunteer organization, hold a second part-time job, once wrote a blog that I enjoyed but have had to all but abandon, and lots of other stuff. Same with my husband. You guys do a lot, but not much more than the average DIY-er with a separate job could do over the weekend (and sometimes less). So…whining about that just makes me bitter, bc MAN I would love to have your work-home situation right now. Be living finally in a large “forever home” in a ‘hood I like, work from home WITH my husband so I could be home with my 2 kids?
Everybody’s got their problems, but…let’s just agree you’ve got a sweet deal going on. We’re barely hanging on in a less than 1000sqft home, working our butts off and still not able to upgrade, and stressing while thinking about adding another child into the mix.
I used to love you guys! I want to love you again! Make me love you again!!!
Laurel says
I’ve been reading your blog for a long time. And I like it. A lot. I like checking it at ten every weekday morning, and I’m obsessed with your deck and the potential for your house in general. I’ve been reading since House 1, and I’ve used things like your advice for what to register for on a wedding registry, hanging a gallery wall, etc.
I’m sure you didn’t expect the avalanche of responses to your fairly innocent question. But I think (obviously) that people are frustrated. Which they wouldn’t be if they didn’t care about where they blog goes from here (or about you guys). I am another vote in favor of smaller updates. But also, I feel like you all aren’t being true to yourself anymore. It’s starting to feel a little more like this is drudgery, or dare I say it, your job. But that’s not in a “this is your only job what are you doing all day” kind of way, but in a “man, it sounds like you all hate your job sometimes” kind of way. So I guess I’m writing to say that if you hate your job (sometimes at least), please change it. Do more lifestyle blog things — I for one would love more posts about registering for baby things (like your what we’re keeping what we’re getting new post). In another comment, I replied that it would be great if you would spend whatever you want on things but then show us how to recreate the look at home (a splurge version and a save version, as it were). But really, do whatever makes you happy. It seems like maybe that’s not the blog right now.
Caitlin says
I’ve never commented here before, but I appreciate your request for site content feedback and wanted to chime in!
A little background: I am not a long term reader (just the last few months), but I found your site through a google search for a baseboards project we were working on. I’ve been disappointed because I feel like I showed up and fell in love with YHL just as the blog was slowing down. While I’ve enjoyed reading your archives, I keep checking the site to see new content and haven’t found much. I understand your desire to focus on your new family, but I also understand your readers’ confusion about why you’ve cut back on the blog to focus on other projects when the blog started your success and is your main communication tool with your fans. Since we don’t have visibility to your other projects, it’s hard to know what to expect with all the changes going on. Perhaps a little more transparency about other projects or publishing a firm blog schedule would help with the transition?
Short vs detailed posts: Your detailed posts are fabulous for project reference, and you do a wonderful job of offering real world advice in them, but they are not the reason I have kept returning daily to YHL. The reason I come back is because I love “before and after” stories, and your site has a wealth of wonderful update ideas, from your whole house projects that I have gone into the archives to read, to smaller, unique projects (like the closet fabric “wallpaper” recently). Even if I wouldn’t use the idea or style, it’s fun to see how people adapt spaces to their needs and make it better. I would love to see more posts like that, which quickly show an update or revisit the before and after of a major project. The detail that comes in between isn’t something I need to read daily – although it is definitely valuable if I need to reference it later, so I do think those posts are great, just not something that would keep my attention as a returning reader.
As for family content, that is something I enjoy but I don’t feel like it is the reason I come here. A biweekly or monthly “here’s what the family has been doing” post would be welcomed, since you both have great personalities and have been so inviting into your lives in the past. I love to see how you incorporate organization and space for your kids (like the artwork space in the office) so maybe you could focus on that aspect of parenthood as opposed to personal stories if you don’t feel comfortable sharing as the kids grow up.
I read some of the other comments and agree that an intern or freelance writer would help you out during this phase of your lives – even someone who could do the uploads and editing of your writing could take some stress off your shoulders.
Whatever happens, I look forward to hearing your thoughts on everyone’s feedback! I sincerely want you guys to keep succeeding and would love if that success included regular updating of your real, funny, and educational blog.
Wishing you guys the best!
Sandi says
Love your blog, have been an avid reader for over five years and I look up tutorials from your blog often as we’re fixing up our own house. I appreciate cutting back and saving content for your book, but I honestly miss your more frequent posts. I used to check your blog several times a day. Now it’s just once a day still hoping there will be another one. I just wanted throw this out there, there are some “easier” posts you could do on days where there is no time. Some blogs do their “love list” on Fridays and all you are posting are photos and sources (be it from pinterest, or a blog, or whatever) but I’m sure we’d all love to see things that have caught your eye during the week.
xox
Shana says
I would second these love list posts – Shutterbean.com does one that I look forward to all week – funny things, interesting things and extremely well curated. And just one iphone photo at the top so easy for you!
Alie says
Only since you asked! I LOVE the ‘grown-up house’ updates, but since we’re a military family we move A LOT. Like 5 times in 7 years with 2 babies born along the way. I’m not able to make these big changes to rental houses, or (gorgeous) historic houses on military bases. BUT! I do enjoy reading them.
I would agree that little snippets of quick projects are just as fun for me to read. Kid art, Dinner recipes, Vacation tips, Best buys, etc. Your readers like YOU, not just your home. I feel like you are balancing a family life know, and I think it’s a smart move. Please share the Big and Small with us.
~~Alie
Sarah says
So, it sounds like your readers miss you!! For 7 years you let people into your lives but now your not around as much. We are simply family complaining that you may have missed a family dinner or two! Life happens and I completely understand! I have popped in on your blog faithfully over the past 6 years and I am one of those crazy fans, that when I’m over in your part of town at Love of Jesus or Restore, I hope to run in to you both!! #readerconfessions
Now that was my reader’s opinion, now my business view. I would suggest looking at the big picture, how do you plan on supporting your family in 20 years? 10 years? 5 years? If you take time away from the blog and lose readers, will you still be able to sell books? When you announced that Teddy’s birth would take time away from the blog (duh!!), you stated that you knew you would have fewer hits and would make less money? Are you making less than you thought? Do a test! you’ve had about 6 weeks with fewer posts, build up some filler posts and try that for 6 months! do you see an increase in hits? is it worth the time for you? At the end of the day it is your life and your job. The ball is in your court.
Good luck to you both!! Love you guys!!
Becky says
Long time reader here. For me personally, I am just fine with reading about whatever you have going on/choose to post about. All of your posts won’t be interesting to everyone and that includes me. That doesn’t stop me from visiting your blog each week day. Nor does the more infrequent posts stop me from coming back. My advice is to put your family first at this time. As an almost-empty-nester, this season of life will fly by and you will be glad you did. P.S. I didn’t read all of the comments but some made me say, “OUCH!” Hope you have really thick skin!
Christy says
I have never commented before, so first time here. lol. I’m a single mom with two kiddos close to Clara and Teddy’s age, so I totally understand the demand. And when they’re with you, its a lot harder to separate work and family time. I TOTALLY get that. I actually find it easier to go to work and still schedule everything in than try to work at home. Just wanted to offer some support – I’m sure this will get easier when they are not so dependent on you for survival. lol.
As for feedback – I miss the window shopping posts. They seemed to be shorter and not as intense as others, but I enjoyed them because it gave me a good spring board for when I was looking to decorate.
In my very humble opinion, the idea of this blog is to DIY and keep it budget friendly for those of us who do live in the real world. So I appreciate the cost-conscious choices you guys make. Most of the projects I tackle are solo projects so the step-by-step posts are nice too, although time usually prevents me from reading all the way through.
Wow, longer comment that I expected (and you probably needed). You’re obviously having a shift in readers, which is ok. I know several friends who are dedicated readers, but like me, they don’t comment. Keep up the good work. I enjoy any post and love the personal touches (like what to do with a constantly moving 3 year old when you’re trying to work).
Anne G. says
John and Sherry –
I appreciate that you are soliciting feedback from your readers. However, my advice is to follow your own instincts and your interests. Do what is exciting to you, what makes you happy, what works for YOU, and everything else will fall into place. You did that when you started this blog, and look what happened! The transition is always a little rough. Some readers will leave, others will stay, new ones will start reading. But, in the end, your decision needs to make sense for you. I have learned the hard way that when I make choices based on what I think other people want me to do, I never succeed. Follow your own heart, your own instinct, and you won’t go wrong!
joan says
just do whatever works for you at this insanely busy time of your life! do something small or not at all or a nice long juicy post – of course we like seeing what you’re up to, but if you take a day off, that’s fine!!!!!
Jessica says
I love your blog and the the things you do.
I don’t mind when you can’t post everyday because I don’t read everyday. I assumed there would be less post when the baby came. We welcomed a baby on march and I didn’t read for blog for a month. I just forgot. :)
I love all kinds of post on crafts, designs or projects.
I have been skimming your post the past few weeks because it had all been laundry room and I don’t plan on redoing mine right now. They are long and detailed. But when I was painting my concrete floors and redoing our kitchen last year, I read every single word of all post that pertained to me and really appreciated the lengthy detail.
I don’t usually enter give always just because I don’t take the time. I do like the pictures and appreciate that you hopefully gain income for your family from them.
Love your blog!
Chris says
I love your blog and I was actually happy when you scaled back a bit. I was having a hard time keeping up (you should see my dvr queue)! I like a mix of big and little posts. The small, easy or affordable ones are things I’m more likely to try at home, but I like knowing that I can reference your site if bigger renovation projects come up in my own house. I’m jus greatful that you guys do what you do. It’s really helped me to show my own house a little love. Thanks!
Courtney says
Hi Guys!
I think we were just sooooo spoiled before, with two a day posts and young house life posts. But I fully understand scaling back. You are still my favorite blog, but I must agree that the tone has changed, like maintaining this blog isn’t your first love (aside from your family!). Like it isn’t quite as funny or how other people are saying your old “voice” doesn’t come through, it is more like we have to get a post up and all the technical type details are there but not as much time is spent on the wording. And it is a good post compared to other blogs, but I think we were just super spoiled before. I do just kind of skim now with all the laundry room posts and there are A LOT of those. I know it is a big project, but every time I see another laundry room post it is slightly disappointing. I love the posts like hanging the frames/pictures behind your bed, decorating, family stuff, etc. I must admit the “tutorial” type posts are my least favorite.
Again, you guys do a great job and are still tops when in comparison to other blogs, but I do feel like you aren’t quite your old selves that hooked me to your blog to begin with.
Lessie says
So many comments! But thanks for asking for mine, too. :)
Love your site. I am a YHL devoted fan. Wish I could go to a book tour meet-up, but I live in SC.
I was so sad there was no post on Monday (Sept 1), but it is a holiday for most people, so I figured that’s why. I appreciate knowing your schedule — posts on Mon., Tues., and Thurs. with a give-away on Wed. I was disappointed when no post on a recent Thursday, but many blogs don’t even post three times a week — so I’m cool with that every once in a while.
I enjoy hearing John’s voice — but Sherry’s voice is the one I want to hear the most of all. Call me prejudiced, but there you go. I like John’s voice to be a nice surprise / flavor. (I hope that doesn’t make me horrible. UGH.)
I so admire your organizational skills…I LOVE posts about your bulletin boards, your time management systems, your desk(s) set up. I can read those over and over. And do. I loved seeing Teddy’s (and Clara’s) room evolve. I have read and re-read the posts on cleaning up the back yard, painting, simple fix ups. Believe it or not the posts on sprucing up the floors before you moved in still inspire me. Oh, and the posts on the previous basement spruce up. Those were very inspiring. I’m a single woman, so while I really find the technical stuff on framing, hanging drywall, building the previous deck, etc., interesting and motivating…but I don’t re-read them over and over. I’m never going to do that. Now back when John was less experienced — I could see myself trying some of the things he did. But now…let’s face it. He’s a rock star. Far above me. And yet, I’m very grateful to him, b/c he shows me HOW to address my issues. Step by step. Reading a lot and then trying it. (Something I’m usually scared to do.) Let’s face it, I live vicariously through y’all. :)
Other things I like — reader redesigns, Teddy pictures (love the recommendation above that those be regular posts. Cool idea!), Clara pictures (love the posts on her closet in the foyer), organizing the pantry, turning over the dishwater thingy, the gorgeous rework of the sink area in the master closet / bedroom, Burger’s new deck gate, painting the desk in the work room. Would love more details about the new desk set-up with ikea shelves.
Have I said enough? Too much probably. :) My friend says YHL is boring now — but I really don’t agree. It’s not as much posting, but I’m cool with that. I find myself sifting through archives when I don’t have a post or a meaty-enough one.
Oh! new pictures of old rooms is a good idea too. :) I really liked the show house pictures. I love looking at decorating ideas. :)
Love you!
Amy says
I think you guys are amazing and full of love. Thanks for sharing with us all. Yes, this is your job, so in order to function and provide readers with material, probably just a more even balance will be the key. A couple of big projects, a few little ones, some house crashing, some around the town spottings of good finds, or photo-shopped decorating suggestions. This would mean small posts instead of no posts might be more possible- to answer your original question.I think the “maybe there’s a post, maybe not” right now is maybe a little discouraging to readers, and if there were set days posts were up, the occasional “we could not put out a post today!!” would be met with understanding for sure. We all have those days or weeks and we all have jobs and families that demand consistency as well. Best of luck to you guys. You are loved by so many.
Jade Payne says
I pretty much love whatever you post and have zero helpful criticism for you. Haha!
I just want to be your best friend and craft with you. In a completely non-creeper, non-stalker way. I love the scaling back (im a mom of three, so I get it!) but I also love everything you post. Even the super technical diy stuff that I could NEVER replicate in a million years.
Cheering yall on, no matter which route you choose!
Ana Silva says
Hahaha I am the same way. BTW are you all not friends with the bowers anymore? What happened to the Pinterest challenge? Maybe you all can host it but not participate.
Techchick says
This is a reply to your Updates (noted in red above).
You two have always been good about daily postings and most recently, giving your readers a heads-up when postings would not occur daily. You all are married with children now – with a newborn nonetheless! I think blog postings when you have the time would suffice for me and, I hope, your readers/fans. You’re human, with lives and responsibilities like the rest of us. The Earth won’t implode if we don’t get daily or every-other-day posting. :)
Aurora says
HI, You guys are my All time favorite Bloggers! I have been following since you were “This Young House”… I think I spotted you guys when you were in a contest on designing some outdoor area of your home. You didn’t win the contest.. but you won me as a faithful, check-in everyday reader. I don’t mind your givaways… I think I enter them maybe 40% of the time because I mostly just skip the page when I realize it’s a giveaway. Keep doing what your doing! I love your style in Blogging and Designing!!
kaycee says
Holy feedback, Batman!
It’s your blog, do whatever you want to do! Don’t let the internet govern you. Plus, it’s not like you are the only bloggers who’ve ever existed. We all still love you.
Colleen says
I have been a daily reader for a very long time, and I am a “silent” reader until now. I absolutely love your blog, and I love the content. On those days that you are super busy with children or actually doing the projects you post, I have an idea for a simple post. Why don’t you post a “peek at real life”. A picture of a moment. Maybe something like “this is happening right now”. Maybe the dog has dug up the garden, or your little girl has made a mess, or is giggling over something, or maybe the baby’s diaper has leaked down his leg. Sometimes a picture with only a word or two can communicate so much! I would love to see, (and I would be a very satisfied reader with) tidbits about normal daily life in your household in addition to all your how to, do it yourself fabulous stuff.
Breanna says
Hello Petersik’s! I have been following you for about a year and I have never commented or given input because I’m always pleased with the content. Although I wish you would do 3 posts an hour, everyday (kidding!) I was totally blown away by the brave choice to dedicate more time to your family and the honest way you interact with all of us! I think some fun little posts here and there would be great, but I also understand what it’s like when life throws 6 beach balls in your lap and demands that you balance them on your nose. Anywho, that’s my input and I hope that it’s helpful! Thanks for entertaining us and keep up the good work :)
joy says
Your blog is the first blog I ever looked at so y’all introduced me to the blog world. Thanks! I love your blog and check in every day. I love the big projects but I did love the Pinterest challenge and the goal to get one project done even something small. I love hearing about the life and I hate to see some of the not so nice comments. It is impossible to please everyone! I love all your houses and love the way you decorate. Keep up the good work :)
Angela says
I love everything you post!! When I see a new post from yhl on feedly I skip all the others and open yours first!! While we are thinking about changing things up id love to see a return to the old frugal projects like the clothespin chandelier. You’ve garnered a huge fan base mostly from the success of your first home. I can’t help but be disappointed when I only see trends and projects featuring west elm etc… I love reading your blog but would love if you could highlight maybe a frugal Friday post.
Catherine says
I hope that with all the responses to your original question, you don’t lose sight of how amazingly wonderful your blog is. I’m not the writer of YHL (obviously), but I still found myself getting slightly bummed out reading the comments. And I say that understanding that people’s comments are totally fair and opinions were solicited. However, you are a two man show running a blog about your home and your life. That is why so many people connect with you and your blog. I would love it if you posted 20 times a day so I never have to look at facebook when I am trying to distract myself at work. However, that’s not possible AND one of my favorite things about you guys is that you are real. It feels like I know you even though I don’t. And like me, you have a family and you want a balance. When I come to your site and see you haven’t posted, I just think, “they must be so busy with the blog, the book, and with life”. Plus, the large DIY projects you tackle make me strive to do more and try more DIY in my own home. I may never be that skilled or dedicated, but you guys have always made me push my personal limits and expand my view of what is possible to do myself.
I was upset by the comments for the reasons above and because you are not a big corporation. For example, If Apple asked me what I would like to improve in the iPhone, I would say “I want it to cost less, last for years, and somehow have new software and technology make there way to my phone via drones/fairies so I never have to buy a new one and it is always the latest and greatest… doable, right?”. But what I wouldn’t say is that I love my iPhone and I would still buy it if they didn’t change a thing. (sidenote: maybe I’m a sucker) But my point is you don’t always counter the good with the bad when dealing with a corporation. They don’t feel like your friends or just people. BUT YOU GUYS DO. And I hope you understand that while people gave you a lot of feedback and advice about what would be ideal, you are still amazing just the way you are. And you know what, if you went back to your old posting schedule or changed the content of your blog, I bet you’d feel personal stress and work/life balance stress. So I guess I’m just hoping to temper all of those comments with a little love and support and some reassurance that if you don’t change a thing, we’ll still be here. I hope that was the kind of feedback you you get from a friend and not a customer, because you’ve always felt like friends to me.
Amanda W says
I don’t mind the technical posts. Doing a lot of DIY ourselves it’s nice to hear how complicated a seemingly simple thing can end up being. I do wish you guys had more time to post, just because I enjoy reading your stuff. Someone was saying they hope you don’t start doing listicles and I agree with that. I get enough of those on Pinterest. I do love reader redesigns though. Especially as I look around my house and find nooks and corners I’m not satisfied with but can’t find any inspiration for. I’d also love an updated walk through of the house/yard.
Rose says
I think your blog was once fun, informative, heart warming, and family oriented. All of that has changed. I enjoyed learning about your journey as parents and first time home owners and even 2nd time homeowners but then your blog became dull. I feel like we know nothing about Teddy and barely anything about Clara anymore. I know this is a diy blog but all of the posts you used to have made this blog as successful as it once was. I know you guys chose to put parenting as your priority but this is your full time job and I feel like during work hours diaper changing and baby feeding shouldn’t be an excuse as to why you don’t post. I used to learn so much from non technical posts but now there isn’t much content. I hope that you will reevaluate the as it stands today and revamp it to make it better for your readers. I totally love your blog (only bc I have been reading for so long) so I am sorry if I sound harsh.
Jess says
I would agree with those people who feel the blog has changed. It used to be a must-read, and now I pop in about once a week or so. It seems like the joy from it is gone on your side, or perhaps it has become more of a chore.
cheri says
Agree with the concern over the changes. Would love to have a reason to check everyday for a post. I understand the need to do what works for your family, though.
Max says
Me! Pick me! Haha what a great giveaway. I don’t like my chances with all those entries though.
Fingers crossed.
-Max
Hayley says
I love that you guys are stepping back a little to take more time for family, something my husband and I are attempting to do with our new boy/girl twins! It seems a little stalker-like but I love following your blog and on days when you guys are too busy for a full post I’d still love to see some sort of small post!
Megan says
Mmmkay dearies, you’ll never please everyone of course. Somebody will always complain. Little posts can take quite a while too. I’ve been reading since you did your first kitchen. You know what hooked me? Your writing style was just like talking to a best friend. I personally like the “hey, we just picked this up and loved it” smaller chats, reader redesigns, Clara conversations etc. Your life has shifted, yes. Let’s chat about it! :)
Mandi says
I am only posting this because it seems like you guys are searching for answers to make your blog better. I have been reading since you were called “this young house” and honestly I am so disappointed with the content here lately. I am disappointed because you constantly say that you’re scaling back to focus on your kids and that life got in the way. I am a single mother, work full time, am a full time student and I still find time to do projects around my house whenever I have any small amount of spare time. You are definitely distancing yourselves from your readers when you complain about how hard your life is and how you’re just SO BUSY, when really you live a pretty privileged life. I am so happy for you that you are in a place where you can work from home and also have your children close to you throughout the day but you also have to understand that your readers are parents and have full time jobs that they can’t just back out of doing for a week if they feel like they are overwhelmed. They have to just push through and make it work. That’s my opinion and I fully expect to get some angry comments from people for it but it’s how I feel every time I read here, which isn’t that much anymore to be honest.
HR says
First and foremost, I love your little family. Anything I write in this comment comes from a warm place. I can totally appreciate wanting to take some time for your little young family, and frankly I applaud you. However, since you will be scaling back (and we were warned) I want to see some funner stuff mixed in the with highly technical. I think us renters (saving up to buy my first house) need to see window shopping, favorite new paint colors, mood boards, etc to stay interested. I understand you two own, but for us renters, it’d be nice to see stuff we can actually do! Thanks for listening.
Dona Stone says
I really am enjoying the laundry room makeover. Makes me want to move walls in my house, too. I do like family stories, and design ideas and small little projects for the kids, pretty much everything you do. Every day at 9am, except Fridays now I check your website and with the exception of the giveaways, I am never disappointed with your content. Not to say I don’t enjoy putting my hat into the ring for free stuff, but I just enjoy your writing style and content so much, that I do feel a bit let down when I see that I won’t be seeing it on that day. You guys are so talented that if you posted 3x a day, I would log in to check 3x a day. Not to put too much of a point on it, but I learn so much about how to approach projects and plan and analyze and research so that I am much more confident that I am starting on the right foot every time.
Lori says
Don’t have time to read the 16 (!!!) pages of comments before me, but I did see some suggestions about stockpiling content for busy weeks. I think that’s a fine approach, but some of those talked about posts on things that are not core to what you do (suggestions were books you’re reading, what your kids are wearing, etc). You have a super-strong DIY-based brand and I think you need to stick to it. Veering into those other topics would diminish the brand you’ve built. One post a week some weeks is fine with me as a reader (although I’d love more). I’d rather you post robust stuff (one of the reasons I love your blog). So glad you’re able to keep up with the Blog as your family grows!
Jude says
I would like to see smaller posts. I really enjoy the variety. I commend you for taking the time to be with your family. You will see that it goes by so quickly. Enjoy them as they grow!
Holly says
I’ll chime in, though it looks you already have 1k (!) worth of feedback!
I’d vote for more smaller posts. Not true “filler,” but the sort of casual content you used to do–reader redesigns, window shopping (even if it’s online because you don’t have time to get to the store!), those reader dilemmas you started doing for a while. I also like seeing smaller projects (more decor/design related) as someone not really in a position to tackle major renos.
I will also add that I’m really disappointed with the people that say you should go back to more Clara/Teddy posts. I’ve long thought that they were being overshared on the blog, and I’m thrilled if you’ve made a conscious decision to cut back on their content. I wish others would realize that they are *children* and it is totally within reason to want to limit their internet exposure.
That being said…I’m guessing what a lot of people miss with regards to not seeing the kids more is missing that “spark” that so many commenters have mentioned. That feeling like we are your buds and part of your life. I think it is possible to accomplish that without exposing the kids again–more about decor decisions around the house, shopping trips, how you organize/manage a household. Ever since you revealed that you had secretly owned House 3 for 6 months, some of the luster has been gone, IMO.
And finally, this is hard to say without sounding cruel, but like others have said…this is your job. It is totally reasonable to take “parental leave” for the first 3 mos. or so and cut back a bit. But that time has come and gone, and like many others have noted, it is getting increasingly hard to relate to your “we are so busy with two kids at home!” whining. You guys seriously have the luxury of having TWO parents at home with the kids. In most households with two working adults, they work a combined 80 hours a week. Can you say 80 hours a week is being spent on the blog? Or even if you want to have one (total) “stay at home” parent. Are you guys doing 40 hours/week right now? It really doesn’t look like it, from this reader’s point of view. And if you are…then maybe you need to revisit the work smarter/not harder thing.
It just makes it hard to watch this whole thing unravel. How many of us love the opportunity to stay at home and make a very good living off the DIY improvements we wanted to do anyway to our home. To see that opportunity squandered is just disappointing.
Karen says
I completely agree, Holly! Very well said.
Menley says
Great comments, Holly. This sums up exactly how I feel.
Anne On says
I’ve read a couple of comments that mentioned disappointment that you concealed the purchase of House 3. It’s great to build a rapport with your audience by sharing your activities so freely. However, people are bound to feel betrayed when they find out some things are suddenly off limits- “secret” projects, House 3, updates about your children, reduced posting.
I think this explains why your readers expressing such strong feelings in the comments.
Sue says
While I miss it when you don’t post, you are allowed to have a life! And with 2 small children, life will interfere with all the things you want to get done at any given time for a long time to come. I raised 3 of them, so that’s the voice of experience talking ;-)
Louise says
I think the main issue seems to be that your blog is interesting fodder for most people’s procrastination. I love your blog and have read it religiously for years. I’ve learnt a lot from it and I’ve been entertained by it. But if for a few months it doesn’t serve its purpose for me…well I’m still going to check everyday and appreciate that you guys have a busy life and that a maybe I should focus on my life. I notice someone said they wanted any post from you even if it was about ironing curtains. That seems sad to me. I think it’s important to remember people whinged that you should ‘push yourselves’ and build a laundry. Now you are and you are detailing it, people are bored because, gasp, building a room is not as easy or as quick as they’d thought. So to get to a point…do what you need to do. I love your writing and appreciate all posts but I’m loving the diy building posts and I appreciate you’re doing that with a new baby so post what you want when you can and if you can’t post well, I will just find something else to do until the next day when I check again :)
Avery says
I’d just like to say that you guys should feel super proud of how many people care enough about you and what you have done over the last few years to comment on this thread. I’m serious! I was scrolling through thinking each comment would be the last one and they just keep going. Point being: WE LOVE YOU GUYS! All these people (and a ton more!)take time throughout their day to see what you are doing and its because you are super lovable and totally endearing! Not to mention someone that I (and everyone else I’m sure) really consider an (maybe even THE) expert on all things DIY!
Pat yourself on the back for a job well done and know that you are super loved by a bunch of total strangers! :)
Ashley says
I’ve been reading for a long time (before you had Clara) but rarely comment… Figured I would today given what you asked. I still check your blog every weekday (except Fridays) and generally enjoy stopping by. Though I agree that the posts have been more technical in the last little while, I still think they’re incredibly valuable and I would definitely go back to them when needing to do a similar DIY project in our home. I would trust your info in a heartbeat. I might be a little disappointed for a millisecond when there is no new post just because I do love your stuff, but it’s no big deal. I don’t understand why some people are so offended by it! I would love to see more Reader Redesigns or more crafty posts, as many have mentioned. Also, I think your family-oriented posts are very touching as well and I love to read them. You have influenced my decor style a whole bunch and I will keep tuning in to your happy life :) Oh and Sherri I love your energy and especially how wonderfully you interact with your kids from what I’ve seen on the videos you’ve shared over the years. Kudos to you guys for being brave and gracious enough to welcome a discussion like this.