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Re: Top 10 Misconceptions About Mommy Bloggers

googoobuybuy — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 23:40:23 -0000

I'm a mom who blogs, but I'm also a five-time author and PR professional. I blog for self discovery, self improvement, to share great deals and a bit of the wisdom I've earned with other women and to connect with other busy entrepreneurial women who like me are caught between worlds. Are we working moms, stay at home moms or work at home moms? I haven't quite figured that one out yet.

That last part is the real reason I keep blogging. Most of my real-life friends don't have kids, and so I don't feel like I have many people who can relate to my unique situation. But on the Internet, my situation isn't unique at all. And that helps me deal with the challenges every day.

Re: Top 10 Misconceptions About Mommy Bloggers

Terri Locker — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 11:55:34 -0000

Thanks for the article. Also, thanks for including mom's whose kids are no longer little. I'm a mom of 5, ages 23 - 13, and the adventure never ends. Sometimes I think I could use a blog related more to moms of grown kids - because the path gets tricker to travel, and the issues are very much life issues.. a step beyond what teether you trust for your sweet pea. ( - and I know that's important too - I really do)
Anyway - thanks - good work.

@shadymutton

Re: Top 10 Misconceptions About Mommy Bloggers

Medela metro bag — Fri, 29 May 2009 04:20:47 -0000

These are truly 10 greatest mommy bloggers facts!

Debra

Re: Top 10 Misconceptions About Mommy Bloggers

Ron S. Doyle — Wed, 27 May 2009 21:57:45 -0000

I've got a myth for you: that all Mommy Bloggers are mommies. Some of them are Daddies, too, like yours truly. And yes, I know that technically makes me a Daddy Blogger, but considering the assumptions about each of those titles, I think I fit better into the former---I stay at home, care for my two daughters, and eek out a living when everyone is asleep (except me and the cat).

Re: Top 10 Misconceptions About Mommy Bloggers

ScoutsHonor — Mon, 25 May 2009 16:23:24 -0000

Couldn't have made a better list, my friend. Thanks for pointing out some of the generalizations.

~Scout

Re: Top 10 Misconceptions About Mommy Bloggers

Marianne — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 17:30:21 -0000

We love all bloggers....Moms and Dads. And in fact, as a Mom who blogs as well...I love this article. It's well written and sums it up perfectly.Even if I do blog in my PJ's, what is important is for many women (and men) this is a legitimate business and one that is very personally fulfilling.

Thanks for a great article!

Re: Top 10 Misconceptions About Mommy Bloggers

Tabu — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 01:31:13 -0000

I think that's because the media has conditioned people to expect a kind of Lifetime Channel/Dress Barn kind of style from blogging Mothers. Most of the Mommy bloggers I know are brainy, covered in tattoos and can drink me under the table.

Re: Top 10 Misconceptions About Mommy Bloggers

mehmetel — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:37:37 -0000

thank you sharing

Re: Top 10 Misconceptions About Mommy Bloggers

eld — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 17:52:00 -0000

great article, thank you

Re: Top 10 Misconceptions About Mommy Bloggers

eld — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 17:50:56 -0000

thank you sharing

Re: Top 10 Misconceptions About Mommy Bloggers

Heather Allard — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 15:47:26 -0000

Jessica,
This is a great--and hilarious--look at mommy blogger misconceptions! Thanks so much for sharing this info--I loved the way you showed the tweets-that's awesome.

Heather

Re: Top 10 Misconceptions About Mommy Bloggers

janflora — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 15:33:03 -0000

Fantastic post! and so many true points...though I have to confess it is a stay-at-home day and I am still in my [rather stylish if slightly stained] jammies! :)

Re: Top 10 Misconceptions About Mommy Bloggers

SwamiMami — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 14:07:30 -0000

Wow, I don't know any mommy bloggers that are uneducated, lacking creativity and hang around in sweats! What about the politically savvy, opinionated, fashionista mommies?

Re: Top 10 Misconceptions About Mommy Bloggers

King Rat — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 21:43:48 -0000

I suppose. Problem with this is that it doesn't really reveal the truth for most of these possible myths. It counters the "myth" with an assertion. Only a couple actually have any facts for them (#4, #1) or links for them.

Re: Top 10 Misconceptions About Mommy Bloggers

Mindy — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 00:38:58 -0000

Lovely.

I have been doing this since 2002, may well have been the first to call my blog a mommy blog (to wit: TheMommyBlog.com, net, org), and can safely say that:

1. I'm still waiting for a year in the black, so it's definitely not for the money. It's for my sanity.

2. I didn't know at the outset that people were reading my blog, I only knew that I was writing it. In retrospect, that was the best way to measure "success" or value. If I've managed to amass eight million hits in that time, I guess I'm doing something people find worthwhile. And yet, I don't get rich off it.

3. I really wish the whole free sample thing didn't exist. I won't write about something I don't use, and won't take money for posts. So of course I feel terrible when a huge PR package shows up on my doorstep and I KNOW that I will never promote the product. Once in a while, though, I really do get excited about something and talk about it. Chances are, I've already bought the product and they MIGHT send me something to thank me for writing about it.

4. Yes, I wear pajamas, but they are very nice pajamas. I sometimes make the school run in them.

5. I have a degree. I was an executive, until this hobby of mine made my superiors nervous and forced me out. Can't prove it, but can't disprove it either.

6. I WISH I could "dabble" in something. I'm the sole source of support for my three kids and myself. I continue to write because advertisers (who have no say over what I write) continue to purchase ads on my blog. Some months, this is what buys groceries.

7. Hawt? I used to be a model, personally selected by Eileen Ford and Nina Blanchard for representation. So no, not dowdy and looking for a way to hide it. On the other hand, I wear my wrinkles, stretch marks, and extra pounds proudly and love them for the battle scars and medals of valor that they are. Women should be proud of what their bodies did to produce the next generation. We're the only ones that can carry that ball.

Huff. I know this post meant to dispel the myths, but I appreciate the chance to vent and answer those ninnies who love to categorize us as they see fit. Come walk in my shoes, buster. Then look me in the eye and tell me what you think.

Re: Top 10 Misconceptions About Mommy Bloggers

Kristie — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 12:03:12 -0000

I started my blog when my mother moved to Hawaii. I thought it would be a great way to help her keep in touch with what's going on with my kids. Then I started then I started the google adsense thing thinking I could make loads of cash. Unfortunately what I have to say is only important to my mother :) I suppose I can live with that but man it'd be nice to make some cash too LOL

Re: Top 10 Misconceptions About Mommy Bloggers

Dominique — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 10:02:16 -0000

Great post Jessica,
I have heard about some of this misconceptions. There are various reasons why mummies blog. I'm proud to be a mom that blogs :)

Re: Top 10 Misconceptions About Mommy Bloggers

Backpacking Dad — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 18:44:39 -0000

#11 That they are all women. Guys can be mommybloggers too. It's the nineties for crying out loud!

Re: Top 10 Misconceptions About Mommy Bloggers

Alyssa — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 15:02:11 -0000

It's not that I dislike the term mommy blogger. I just would RATHER be called writer, speaker, etc..

Re: Top 10 Misconceptions About Mommy Bloggers

zchamu — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 10:09:48 -0000

Excellent post!

The biggest misconception I keep seeming to encounter is that Mom bloggers are simply a bunch of self centered narcissists. Usually when a mom blogger gets some mainstream media attention, this is the insult that inevitably gets hurled. Within the little social media echo chamber it's different and bloggers in general are perceived differently, moms included. But out in the big bad world, it's a very different perception.

Re: Top 10 Misconceptions About Mommy Bloggers

Michelle Lamar — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 23:39:39 -0000

Rock on Jessica! Love this post, just wrote about it!

Re: Top 10 Misconceptions About Mommy Bloggers

Diane — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 11:12:55 -0000

This is so right on! It's true - mommy bloggers are so often seen as pushover who just sit around hoping for a free sample to be thrown their way. For me, my blogs are ways to reach out to people not only with my viewpoints but to people searching for answers that I may have found. In my case, raising families chemical-free. It's something I take very seriously. One thing that bothers me is receiving PR email asking me to write articles for them (for free) when the PR person hasn't even visited my blog except to snag my email address. But I believe we'll be heard more strongly as time goes on. Because this is one group that isn't going away!

By the way, the mommy blogger community has become very valuable to me as a support system and a wonderful group of friends! Never would I have guessed what it would become to mean to me.

Re: Top 10 Misconceptions About Mommy Bloggers

Jill — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 11:10:45 -0000

I think your article is right-on. As a mom who blogs though, I'm not sure a title like "mommy-blogger" encompasses how I identify with myself anymore than "mommy-exerciser" or "mommy-luncher" or "mommy-vacationer" (you get the point) does. Yes I am a mom, I am also a journalist by trade, an e-store owner, a writer for several online blogs, and a former member of the semiconductor industry.

Just sayin'...

Re: Top 10 Misconceptions About Mommy Bloggers

Elisa — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 10:23:20 -0000

GREAT article! So many good points.

The traffic and free stuff things are peculiar to me. I will not do just anything to get traffic. And I will not "sell" myself to anyone who promises free stuff or discounts or other special treatment.

I know people sometimes assumed that when I mention some brands in my "cool finds" posts. I do accept pitches and samples if it sounds like something I might like. But I only post about it if I *did* like it.

Re: Top 10 Misconceptions About Mommy Bloggers

Moon Loh — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 22:30:32 -0000

In my opinion, there are different types of Mommy Bloggers. In Asia, there are moms who just want treat blogging as a hobby and simply want to share with others about their kids and parenting. They enjoy such online diary and don't really treat blogging a source of income.
Also there are moms who treat blogging a serious business and believe by doing seriously, it could be a good source of income while spending more time with the family.

I'm a Mompreneur from Singapore - MompreneurAsia.com