Most active bloggers will do a “year in review” post re-capping the events of the previous year, making resolutions for the coming year, and breathing some life back into older posts. It’s aleady well into January, so I’m beyond fashionably late. I did a “year in review” post on ReneeAndElliott.com a few days ago. Over here at 21st Century Dad, it’ll be a “State of the Blog Address.”A “State of the Bog Address” gives me some freedom to post it whenever I please. It’s just logical to do it in January.

Hit the jump to read more.

The Beginning

Getting this blog started has been gratifying and fulfilling. At first, I was worried that I’d run out of things to write about. That did not become so. Ideas are still coming. I had made plans to cover certain topics, but haven’t started the articles on them.

A Surprise Source of Material

I’ve started to explore many topics already while others haven’t made it to the front of the queue yet. After yet another reality set in, I started to explore issues surrounding biracial children. This topic wasn’t on my original list when I started this blog. I’ve also become more interested in my own background. I know Twilli will have questions and I need to be able to address them.

Looking Back

It’s only a few months into this blog’s life. I didn’t say a word about the blog except to a few people as I continued to build up some content. Most of my time was spent writing the content, learning more about blogs and blogging, and settling on a WordPress Theme.

One of the best things about a blog is seeing it evolve. 21st Century Dad has already made a slight course correction and exceeded its original scope. As I learn more about how to make this a more pleasant and informative stop, those features and articles will be incorporated.

Here are some topics I planned to cover but haven’t written much about or touched at all:

• General household tips
• DIY home improvement articles
• Cooking, nutrition, and health
• Infant development
• Time management strategies
• Teen articles
• Family photography
• Relevant technology
• Work-life balance
• Resources for parents

The Business of Blogging

This blog relies on a business model similar to that of broadcast media. Currently, everything on this site is available for free. There are ads, a tip jar, and embedded affiliate links. All of these things are in place because this site does contribute to my income. When you have an income stream, wanting it to grow is only natural.

I will continue playing with AdSense on this site. It’s bringing real clicks and real money. If you have a legitimate interest in the links provided by Google, then by all means, click.

The “Donate” link will state up, of course. Thank you to all who have contributed so far.

Affiliate links will become more visible, but with much care in their selection. Products and services that I actually use will have the highest priority. I use them because I think they rock. When you’re part of something good, it’s our natural tendency to share it. Right now, I am set up with Amazon.com. You can click through from here, and whatever you buy on Amazon will throw a bit of spare change my way. When you shop Amazon, it helps me without any additional cost to you. Obviously, I will highlight products that I actually use and would be of benefit to you too.

Site-Related Changes

WordPress is such a feature-rich platform. It can be wrangled into something really pleasant for the blogger and the visitor. I will continue to optimize this blog on behind the scenes and on the front-end too. I’ve already added an RSS feed via FeedBurner. Some of the things I’d like to add:

• Organize the categories better
• An integrated Google search box
• Integration with Flickr
• eBooks and other useful downloads
• A map of changing tables in men’s rooms here in the Fort Lauderdale / Greater Miami area

The Things I Do

My goal is to make this site entertaining as well as informative. I don’t pretend to be some sort of expert. I don’t have a degree in child psychology, or any of the topics I cover. My methods get mixed results. Fortunately, many of my efforts result in success. I also have my share of less-than-optimal outcomes. Raising a teenager and hanging window treatments are challenges for me.

My writing will remain profanity-free. I like to keep the language rated-PG at worst. This isn’t because I’m some sort of prude. It makes writing more creative. An f-bomb is pretty effective when placed properly, and it’s really what I’m thinking sometimes, but it’s a cheap shot. (No offense intended to MetroDad. He’s more linguistically liberal than I am). In the blogosphere, brevity wins, but it’s more fun to do an end-around than to follow Dick Cheney’s lead on the Senate floor.

There’s a management and operations side to the blog too. When I become a more effective blogger, your visitor experience is enhanced. Here is what you can expect in 2008.

• Post on a regular schedule. I’m aiming for 4-5 days a week.
• Post related content on a schedule. Maybe we can have Mixed-Race Monday, Tech Tuesday, or Frugal Friday, etc. Right now, you’re getting my brain-feed in a slightly delayed stream-of-consciousness mode.
• Create a schedule of seasonal and time-sensitive posts.
• Continue to expand my network of fellow bloggers.
• Stay on-topic. ReneeAndElliott.com is our off-topic repository.

Suggestions are welcome. Please leave your them in the comments.