The Snyder 5

The Snyder 5 is a blog about a family of Snyders. Five of them, in fact! By profession, blogger Molly is a full-time marketing and PR professional. The rest of her time is spent as a wife, mother, and of course, blogger. The Snyder 5 blog has been a way for Molly to document her life, as well as the lives of her husband and three young sons. Over the past few years, though, the blog has evolved to include much more than family stories. Recently, the Snyder 5 blog was featured on the front page of the Mothers’ Day issues of the Pioneer Press to discuss one of Molly’s major ongoing projects, the 500 Pound Declutter. Last year, she was featured on the Star Tribune website to discuss saving for college for children through the Upromise program. Through the Snyder 5 blog, Molly is sharing her knowledge and experiences as a mom and marketer, while inspiring readers and making them laugh.

How long have you been blogging?  What blog(s) did you write prior to The Snyder 5?

I started blogging in the fall of 2007.  It was simply a way to announce to family and friends that we were expecting our third baby (making us no longer The Snyder 4, but instead The Snyder 5.)  Let’s be honest here, by the third baby most people don’t want weekly pregnancy update emails.

I figured by having a blog, those who were interested would come and read, and those who weren’t, well, they wouldn’t.

Clearly, almost three years later, I am no longer pregnant.  And since then, The Snyder 5 has grown into a place where I reflect, write, learn, share and, above all, laugh.

How much of a family affair is writing The Snyder 5? Do the kids get into it?

The voice is mine.  Brian and kids are certainly aware of it and enjoy being a part of it.  And, by now, they all know the look I get in my eyes when something sparks an idea that I will write about.

How has blogging changed your life?

By profession, I am a marketing communications person.  So I spend my days telling other people’s stories.  Blogging has been a way for me to tell our own.  And in doing so, I have been able to connect with people I never would have known otherwise.

What other blogs do you enjoy reading and why? Who are your favorite local Twin Cities bloggers?

I read a lot of blogs.  However, I don’t do well with “favorite” lists.  I think it goes back to an awkward adolescence and never being on cool kid lists then.  So I always have a fear of leaving someone off a list.  I will say that I like blogs and people that are real and honest.  Blogs that don’t preach.  Blogs that reflect.  And blogs, with people behind them, who want to connect, not just pontificate.  I have been able to connect with an amazing group of bloggers here in Minnesota that exhibit all of those traits.

If you could narrow it down to one answer, what do you love the most about the Twin Cities / Minnesota? Why?

I love the integrity of Minnesota and Minnesotans.  Making a gross generalization, but we are real people here doing real things.  There isn’t a lot of fluff.  What you see is what you get.

What is your biggest blog-related or family-related goal for 2010?

A lot has changed, on some levels, for our blog over the past year.  A year ago, my parents and a few close friends were the only ones reading.  Today, the great majority of people who stop by, I have never met in person.  But even so, my goal is to stay true to who I am, and who we are, and keep on doing what we are doing.  Writing, reflecting, sharing and laughing.