Last updated: 29 October 2026
Who I am
My Balancing Act (https://mybalancingact.co.uk) is a blog run by me, Rowena, a working mum writing about parenthood, career and family life. I’m responsible for the personal data collected through this website, which makes me the “data controller” under UK data protection law.
This policy explains what information I collect when you visit, comment or get in touch, why I collect it, and the choices you have.
If you have any questions about this policy or your data, email me at rowena@mybalancingact.co.uk.
What I collect and why
I only collect what I need, and I will never sell your personal data. The legal basis I rely on for each use is shown below.
| What you do | What I collect | Why | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leave a comment | Name, email, website (optional), comment, IP address, browser details | To publish and moderate comments and check for spam | Legitimate interests |
| Email me (including guest post, link placement or collaboration enquiries) | Name, email address, business details and anything you include in your message | To reply, agree terms, arrange content and keep a record of what was agreed | Legitimate interests, or to carry out an agreement with you |
| Browse the site | Cookie and device data (see below) | Analytics, advertising and affiliate tracking | Consent |
Your email address is never shown publicly when you comment. If you choose to save your details for future comments, a cookie remembers them for one year.
Cookies and tracking
Some cookies are needed for the site to work. Others are only used if you agree to them through the cookie banner, and you can change your choice at any time. My Cookie Policy lists each cookie in full.
With your consent, I use:
- Analytics: Google Analytics (via MonsterInsights) and Jetpack Stats, to understand how many people visit and which posts are popular.
- Advertising: the Meta (Facebook) Pixel, to measure and improve my Facebook and Instagram promotion.
- Affiliate tracking: networks and programmes including Awin, Travelpayouts, Tradedoubler, Amazon Associates, Geniuslink and GetYourGuide. If you click an affiliate link and buy something, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. These services use cookies to record that the sale came from my site.
Embedded content. Some posts include embedded content such as Facebook, Instagram or YouTube posts. These behave exactly as if you had visited the other website, and may collect data about you and set their own cookies.
Who I share data with
I use trusted services to run this blog. They only process your data to provide their service:
- Lyrical Host, my web host, which stores the website and its data
- Automattic (Jetpack, Akismet and Gravatar), for site stats, spam checking and comment profile pictures
- Google and Meta, for analytics and advertising
- Affiliate networks and programmes, including Awin, Travelpayouts, Tradedoubler, Amazon Associates, Geniuslink and GetYourGuide, plus others I may join from time to time, for affiliate tracking
Some of these companies are based in the US. Where your data leaves the UK, it is protected by safeguards recognised under UK law, such as the UK–US data bridge or approved contract terms.
AI tools. I use AI tools to help with planning, writing, research and running the blog. I do not enter readers’ personal details, such as your name, email address or comments, into AI tools.
I may share information if the law requires it, for example with the police or a regulator.
Guest posts, sponsored content and links
My Balancing Act is free to read, and I want to keep it that way. To help cover the costs of running the blog, I accept a limited number of guest posts, sponsored posts and paid link placements, alongside affiliate links.
- Guest posts are written by other people or businesses. The views in them belong to their authors and are not necessarily my own.
- Featuring a company or linking to it is not an endorsement of every product or service it offers.
- Links to other websites are provided for your convenience. I don’t control those sites and I’m not responsible for their content, products or privacy practices. Please check their own policies and do your own research before buying or signing up to anything.
If you’d like to work with me, email rowena@mybalancingact.co.uk. I’ll use your details only to discuss and manage our collaboration.
Accuracy of information
Everything on this blog is for general information only. I’m not a financial adviser, lawyer, medical professional or other qualified expert, and nothing here is professional advice. Please get advice that fits your own circumstances before making important decisions, especially about money, health or legal matters.
I work hard to make sure my content is accurate and up to date, but I’m only human and mistakes can happen. Information can also change after a post is published, such as prices, offers, rules and product details.
- AI-assisted content. I use AI tools to help with planning, writing, research and tasks. Everything is reviewed and checked by me before it’s published, but AI can get things wrong and I may not catch every error. See my AI Policy for more.
- Guest content. Guest authors are responsible for the accuracy of their own posts. I review guest posts before publishing but can’t independently verify every claim.
If you spot something that’s wrong or out of date, please let me know at rowena@mybalancingact.co.uk and I’ll correct it as soon as I can. Any decisions you make based on information on this site are your own responsibility.
How long I keep your data
- Comments are kept for as long as the post is live, so I can recognise and approve follow-up comments.
- Emails and collaboration records are kept for up to six years after our last contact, in case of questions about what was agreed or for tax records.
- Cookie data is kept for the periods shown in my Cookie Policy.
Your rights
Under UK data protection law, you have the right to:
- ask for a copy of the personal data I hold about you
- ask me to correct anything that’s wrong or incomplete
- ask me to delete your data
- ask me to limit how I use your data, or object to me using it
- ask for your data in a format you can take elsewhere
- withdraw your consent at any time, for example by changing your cookie settings
To use any of these rights, email rowena@mybalancingact.co.uk. I’ll reply within one month.
Complaints
If you’re unhappy with how I’ve handled your personal data, please contact me first at rowena@mybalancingact.co.uk. I’ll acknowledge your complaint within 30 days and look into it as quickly as I can.
You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the UK’s data protection regulator, at ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint.
Children
This blog is written for adults and isn’t aimed at children. I don’t knowingly collect personal data from anyone under 18.
Changes to this policy
I’ll update this policy when the way I use data changes, and I’ll change the date at the top when I do.
