Blogger Spotlight: Phill Palmer, Corporate Dad

Corporate Dad is a parenting and lifestyle blog created by husband, father and stepdad Phill Palmer. Launched to document his life as a working dad, Phill somehow manages to keep the blog up-to-date with engaging posts about parenthood, and advice on how to set up your own business or become self-employed while juggling life at home. In this spotlight, Phill, a new addition to our daddy blog ranking, speaks to us about why he decided to start his own blog, the challenges he faces as a blogger, father, and full time worker, and his business-minded approach to working with PRs.

Tell us about your blog? So what’s Corporate Dad all about? I would say it’s an extension of me and what goes on in my parenting and work life. There’s a constant conflict between work and life so hopefully it show’s exactly how I feel about both.

What prompted you to document your life as a father in a blog? Having setup my wife’s blog Vintage Folly a couple of years ago, I was really interested in starting my own blog but I honestly had nothing to say. They say you find your niche and reason for writing and it was after the birth of our IVF miracle Dorothy, that the words came pouring out.

How do you help your readers in their journey as a parent? Being an open and honest writer as a Dad, there tends to be a big divide between those that can publicly discuss and those that can’t. There’s some inspirational Dad bloggers and hopefully as a group, we are showing that you can be proud as a parent whether you’re a dad or a mum.

What is a typical day in the life of a dad? My typical day involves leaving the family behind and heading out to work around 6:30-7 in the morning. I love my job as a recruitment manager as I love working with people. There’s probably a few calls throughout the day and a FaceTime if I unfortunately have to work away but needs must as a parent. Getting home around 6:30-7pm, normally, dinner is nearly ready and I’m welcomed by my girls with massive smiles and kisses. Having changed jobs 6 months ago for my family time, I find it’s vitally important to be able to have at least 30 minutes before bedtime where possible.

How do you manage your blogging career and being a father? Parenting really gets in the way of blogging about parenting! Haha. My blogging career really is an extension of being a father and it’s not uncommon for Dorothy to have her ‘cheese’ face on way before the camera is out. It has had a real positive impact on our lives as we tend to different, exciting and Instagram inspired adventures! Going out the way to visit new and adventurous places.

How has fatherhood changed you? What did you learn about yourself after becoming a parent? I was a career man; I have a step daughter who is more like my own and always felt that I could balance the both quite well. Having another daughter under one put a real emotional strain on being away from my girls and it made me realise what I’m about. I always thought it was about the money, career, and success. It’s so not. It’s about the security and adventures that money creates and memories that last with you forever.

How do you like to work with PRs? And how can they improve their blogger outreach? I treat blogging like a business and I think it goes well with Corporate Dad. Setting out expectations, confirming details such as dates and payment terms and defining what’s going to be expected from me. I don’t think you should ever agree with something and I find that a lot of PRs will work with anyone just the same. It’s about protecting your brand and in turn, putting a viable worth to what you do.

What are the main challenges that fathers face? One of the main challenges that I’ve faced is the 2nd rate advertising and opinions of others. Dads are constantly challenged in their parenting in the most inconspicuous of places. From a till checkout assistant questioning where’s mum to strangers asking if we’re babysitting. We’re not, it’s called parenting.

What advice would you give to a new dad or dad-to-be? I wrote a really short but to the point post on this. Don’t over think this part as you’ll develop your own style but remember: be nice, communicate, and love. If you do those three things, you’ll be alright.

What’s your secret tool; what is it that helps you to cope when the going gets tough? It used to be golf but after an injury I had to make a change which ended up in being a charity hike across the country. Walking gives me an opportunity to get outdoors, by myself or with the family, and get fit in the same time. A win win in my books and who couldn’t de-stress in the beautiful countryside?