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The SITS Girls

The Secret to Success is Support

Family Volley: Today’s Advice For A Better Tomorrow

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Heather is the Author, Professor (of Family Psychology) and Mother behind the blog, Family Volley. Family Volley is a wonderful blog designed to help us build strong relationships within our families.  It’s a great resource for anyone, and I love that Heather tries to practice what she “preaches” in the classroom at home.  And not always with perfect results.  Heather is due to give birth to child number 4 any day now, so be sure to wish her well!

How did you start blogging?
Over the last couple years, my husband and I had continually discussed the key principles I teach my college students, and how we implement them into our own family. He repeatedly suggested I write a book.

I too had been feeling an urgency to share my knowledge with a bigger audience outside the classroom. To satisfy my urgent desire to share, I started Family Volley.

Although setting up the blog wasn’t too hard, settling on a name was the challenge. My husband and I would lie in bed at night throwing around ideas that we felt would fit the blog’s content and my personality. Late one night we laughed hysterically as he suggested “Once Busty”. A tribute to the time I spent nursing our three children. Knowing my parents and students would be reading, I couldn’t bring myself to use it.

I feel very blessed to have been able to study the fundamental principles that help marriages and families become strong, and help us with raising children and developing relationships. The principles are things I use and teach every day. I knew others would benefit also. So I decided to expand the classroom. That is how Family Volley came to be.

What can readers expect when visiting your blog?
The great thing about Family Volley is that everyone has a family, so no matter your age or station in life, the content applies to all of us. When readers visit Family Volley they can expect to find honest and straightforward answers to the toughest life, parenting and family questions. From raising children, grand parenting, friendships, conflict management. temper tantrums, bullying, toilet training, and marital relationships. Readers email me with questions and I provide solutions and ideas to help them (The Advice Tab will link you to all of them).

Readers will also find my personal thoughts and reflections. Struggles and all.

Family Volley is also loaded with unique and fun activities and games to do with your family. Every Friday a new game or activity is featured (All the activities can be found under the FAMILY FUN FRIDAY tag).

How do you see your blog in 5 years?
As long as Family Volley is helping one person, then it is worth continuing. I hope Family Volley will continue to grow and in 5 years has helped thousands of parents, families, and individuals become stronger. I would also like to have found more ways to get the information that I share with my family, students, and readers, out to an even larger audience. I would love for the site to be a go-to-spot for all things family.

You are a professor in real life.  Tell us about juggling teaching, a family and blogging?
Being a mother of three (almost 4), a wife, a professor, and blogging, brings challenges. We are always working to keep balance and prioritize. We hear it often, but time management really is important. We focus on not over scheduling ourselves, or our children. We try to keep our family life intentional. Focusing on creating rituals and meaningful interactions. Morning and evening rituals keep us connected and bonded even when life is extra crazy.

When I started Family Volley I could see that it had the potential to take over my life. It was important to me, but not more important than the people I love. To make it all work, I try to never let it come before my husband and kids, and I try to set reasonable expectations for the blog and its growth. I set aside time in the morning before anyone is out of bed to write and respond to emails. I also make sure I go to bed at the same time as my husband each night.

What advice can you give us about choices that we can make to help our families be successful and help make “a better tomorrow”?
One of the best choices we can make to help our families be successful and make a “better tomorrow” is to be INTENTIONAL.  As parents, we need to have a working plan for our families.

Imagine putting your family in a canoe. If we don’t steer our canoe, then our families are blown around by the winds and pushed and pulled by the currents.  Our families will quickly find ourselves overturned, off course, or washed up on the banks.

Instead, We have to put our oars in the water and INTENTIONALLY paddle ourselves where we want to go. Whatever type of family we want, we have to make. Our willingness to be intentional is the difference between success and failure, with our children, with our spouses and with life.

3 FAVORITE BLOG POSTS:
Bullying-Consider This:  Great advice about what to do when your child gets bullied.
Don’t Mess With Holiday Traditions:  Ways to overcome holiday tradition frustration.
Family Fun Friday-Battle Chairs:  You’ll definitely want to try this family game out!

About Tracie Nall

Tracie lives in Arizona with her husband, teen daughter, and more books than her shelves will hold. She spends her days writing and editing. Many of her words end up on her blog, From Tracie. Find Tracie on Twitter @FromTracie and on Instagram where she takes pictures of things that are yellow.

Reader Interactions

Comments

    • Heather Johnson says

      Ericka, it seems we are all seeking balance. Life can really be a juggle. Thanks for the comment love. I hope to see you over at Family Volley. Have a great weekend.

    • Heather Johnson says

      Lisa, thanks for the comment love and congrats on being a grandma. Can’t wait to meet you over at Family Volley. Have a wonderful Mother’s Day.

  6. Charlotte says

    What a great pick for a featured blogger today. Off to wish her luck on baby #4 and will be sure to thank her for a wonderful resource.

    Wishing everyone a lovely weekend. XOXO

    (PS: Personally, I’m a fan of the Once Busty blog title, LOL!!!)

    • Heather Johnson says

      Charlotte, No worries, I love the Once Busty too. I have it saved, one day, one day. Good thing I had already come to terms with the “once” part of the busty, or else I probably wouldn’t have laughed so hard when my husband suggested it.
      I can’t wait to meet you over at Family Volley. I hope you will say hello, and stop by often.
      Have a great weekend.

  8. Liza says

    I’m excited to check out her family activity tab! My daughter is only 11 months, but we’re always looking for new fun things to do!

    • Heather Johnson says

      Liza, I know you will love the family activities on Family Volley. It is always fun to include our little ones. And, you can use them for you and your husband, as well as with extended family and friends. I would love to hear which ones are your favorite. Hope you are having a nice Mother’s Day.

    • Heather Johnson says

      Thanks Stephanie. That first picture was taken last year at our favorite family vacation spot in La Jolla, California. Every time I look at it, it makes me smile. Such great memories. Hope you are having a great weekend.

  13. Stephanie SNyder says

    Good morning and happy weekend to all of my fellow SITStahs!

    This is great! I Love reading blogs by professors, it’s interesting to compare their lives to that of mine and my husband’s 🙂

    • Heather Johnson says

      Happy Weekend to you Stephanie. Can’t wait to meet you over at Family Volley. I think you will quickly find that the lives of a professor are just like yours. Thanks for the comment love.

    • Heather Johnson says

      Yeah Melody, thanks for signing up to follow along on Family Volley. You will love it, I know. Even if I am biased. 🙂 Be sure you say hello. I love making new friends.

  16. The BabbyMama says

    Can’t wait to check this one out! Anything that makes family life more beautiful is good in my book! (Too bad I have to wait until this evening bc of work, boooo).

    • Heather Johnson says

      Thanks for the comment love. I hope work went well and that you are enjoying your weekend. Family Volley does try to make Family life more beautiful. Well said. I hope you will have a chance to come over and say hello often.

  17. Carrie says

    The family tradition post looks like a “must read”– as much as I love them, they do stress me out each year!

    • Heather Johnson says

      Hi Carrie. So true, family traditions are stressful. Especially Christmas and Thanksgiving. Most couples report traditions being more stressful than money and intimacy. Yikes. Can’t wait for you to weight in on the subject. See you over on Family Volley.

  18. CynthiaK says

    What a fantastic sounding blog and a lovely family. I am very much looking forward to reading this one!

    Have a fabulous weekend, SITStas!

    • Heather Johnson says

      Cynthia, thanks for your kind comment. Family Volley is great, even if I am slightly biased. 🙂 I hope you will stop by often. Have a great weekend.

  19. FFPMaMMa says

    Happy Friday! Thanks for introducing us to Family Volley. I’m scared to look, as it will be yet another blog that prepares me for what is to come. I’m just sayin… hoppin’ on over to check it out.

    • Heather Johnson says

      We have all had those feelings of fear when it comes to our families. Don’t be scared to visit Family Volley. It is helpful and fun. Thanks for the comment love today. Hope you will stop by often. Happy Weekend.

    • Heather Johnson says

      Thanks Angie, there is tons of good advice over on Family Volley. And in a time when families are under attack and falling apart, it is more important than ever to focus on building them strong. Hope you will stop by often. Have a great weekend.

  21. Amber says

    Happy Friday!

    And it’s military spouse appreciation day so thank you to all the military spouses out there! I’m a military spouse and I know it’s not easy…

    • Heather Johnson says

      Amber, thank you for all the sacrifices you and your family make. Happy Military Spouse Appreciation Day to you. I wish I could reach out and give you a big hug. Here’s to safety and protection for your husband. We are all in debt for his service.
      Happy Mother’s Day.

    • Heather Johnson says

      Hi hi, thanks for the comment love today.
      The paddle analogy helps our family and my students get a visual understanding of what it takes to be intentional, and what happens when we are not. I hope it helps your family also. See you over at Family Volley. Have a great Mother’s Day.

  24. Anjie says

    Congratulations on being the Featured Blogger!

    Your family is so beautiful! Congratulations on the newest addition. I can’t wait to read some of your posts! It sounds like I could use a lot of your advice. 🙂

    • Heather Johnson says

      Thanks Anjie, I sure did feel the SITS day love today. I know you will find things on Family Volley that are helpful. Can’t wait to meet you there. Have a great weekend.

  25. Steph says

    Happy Friday! Beautiful family! I am looking forward to reading your site and I think that is a great point about being intentional… so important to create memories that last with our family, especially our little ones who learn so much from us.

    • Heather Johnson says

      Steph, thanks for your kind comments. Your right, being Intentional with our young children is very important. Can’t wait to meet you over at Family Volley. Be sure you say hello.

    • Heather Johnson says

      Too funny, and too true. It can get pretty tricky fitting things into our day when our kids are around. I hope they ignore you soon so you can come over and visit Family Volley. See you there.

  28. Jen {at} take2mommy says

    Happy SITS day Heather! I really like what you’ve said here about being intentional. That is something I’ve honestly never really tried with my family. We’re more like the canoe with nobody paddling! I think that just might be what we need around here. I’m looking forward to reading more tips and advice on your blog.

    • Heather Johnson says

      Hi Jen, thanks for the comment love today. Being intentional is not easy, but it is worth it. I would love to hear how things go as you “start paddling” your family canoe. I hope you stop by Family Volley and let me know. Good luck, and don’t forget your life jackets.

  30. Eva Gallant says

    What a beautiful family! Sounds like a very helpful blog…better go check it out!

    TGIF, SITStahs! We’ve made it through another week. Pay a visit to my blog today to check out answers to age old questions….if you’re not offended by nudity. If you are….you may want to visit another day.

  31. BLOGitse says

    We can try but there’s not a perfect human being.
    But we all can try to learn.
    It all starts at home learning good manners. Sounds boring but how we behave matters when we interact. Parents are children’s role models…

    • Heather Johnson says

      You are so right. Parents are their children’s role models. And they will, for the most part, do what we do. Such an important thing for us to remember when we are raising them.
      Thanks for the comment love. Hope to see you over at Family Volley.

  33. LisaDay says

    Going to bed at the same time as your husband. That is a good advice.

    Last Post -Is It Wrong to be Happy When I Should Be Sad?

    • Heather Johnson says

      Thanks Lisa, going to bed at the same time as our spouse does make a big difference. Getting our kids in bed on time so we have time together each night makes a big difference also. Thanks for the comment love. I hope to see you over at Family Volley. Have a great weekend.

    • Heather Johnson says

      Thanks Karen, that picture is one of our very favorites. It was taken a year ago at our favorite hotel in La Jolla, CA. It brings back such good memories. Have a great weekend.

    • Heather Johnson says

      Amanda, Family Volley is an amazing blog. Although I am very biased. 🙂 Say hello so we can get to know each other better. New friends are the best .

  38. Cindy says

    What a great featured blogger! I will definitely be reading with great interest!
    Have a great day!
    Cindy

    • Heather Johnson says

      CIndy, so glad you are excited about Family Volley. I hope you will visit often and find lots of advice and insight that helps you and your family. Happy Mother’s Day Weekend.

    • Heather Johnson says

      Thanks for the SITS day comment love. We hope the deliver goes well also. And that our little one decides to arrive sooner than later. Hope you will stop by Family Volley. Have a great weekend.

  40. Amanda says

    How wonderful to see another blogger trying to help others through education! I am SO going to your blog ASAP! Enjoy your SITS day!

    Anyone have any insights on offering a successful giveaway? i have it basically created, but I feel like it needs work still. I really want to get it out there, any help? Thanks SITStahs!

    • Heather Johnson says

      Amanda, thanks for your kind comment. I look forward to meeting you over on Family Volley. It is all about helping one another. Good luck with the giveaway.

  42. Hanneke Nelson says

    I have a feeling I will be spending some time at Family Volley. The balancing act is a work in progress here still. Of course it doesn’t help that every time we get a routine established, we up and move… Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

    • Heather Johnson says

      Hanneke,
      Moving will mess up a good routine every time. Families are always a balancing act. Family Volley is always there to help.
      Have a great Weekend.

  45. Michelle Lee says

    I can’t wait to go check your blog out! I love how you are “practicing what you preach”! Congrats on your SITS day and Happy Weekend! : )

    • Heather Johnson says

      Thanks Michelle, I can’t wait to meet you over at Family Volley too. I must say, teaching the principles are a lot easier than doing them in my own home.
      Happy Weekend to you and your family also.

  46. Autumn Twig says

    I love family fiascos and blogs about how ‘real’ it can all get. I’m gonna hop on over now to read it 🙂

    Hello to everybody else, hope you have a great day ahead

  48. Sorta Southern Single Mom says

    I like Family Volley and totally understand the choice, but Once Busty is stinkin’ hysterical!

    I need to work on being more intentional. I don’t give myself enough time to map out where I want to go and tend to just take it as it comes.

    Happy Mother’s Day Weekend!

    • Heather Johnson says

      “Once Busty” is still my favorite also. We joke about it all the time. I have it set aside, one day I will use it. You can read the whole story here (http://familyvolley.blogspot.com/2010/04/once-busty.html). Days away from nursing number 4, I know it will only add to the “once”. Kids are totally worth it though.
      Being intentional can be hard. It takes effort and practice, but the benefits are big. Thanks for saying hello.
      Have a wonderful Mother’s Day.

  49. Lynn from For Love or Funny says

    When Heather said, we have to “intentionally paddle ourselves where we want to go,” that hit home with me. That makes such a difference…even when we are paddling upstream, or even going backwards, having a goal in front of me makes the difficulties worthwhile.

    • Heather Johnson says

      Lynn, thanks for the hello. I love “For Love or Funny”.
      Your so right, easy or hard, we still have to take our families where we want them to go. Sometimes we really have to paddle hard. Have a wonderful Mother’s Day.

  50. Lindsay says

    I love how you combine your education and personal experience, to help others build a strong, supportive family and relationships. I look forward to checking out your blog, and I have already made a personal declaration to be INTENTIONAL in my own personal life goals. Excellent advice. PS: Your family looks so sweet, and picture perfect!

    • Heather Johnson says

      Lindsay, so excited to hear you believe in being intentional too. See you over at Family Volley. Be sure you say hello. P.S. Thanks for the kinds words about our family. I would have to agree, but I am biased. 🙂