Bloggers are not just about writing their own blog; we love to read other blogs and engage in dialogue via comments. I started my blog more as a way to keep and organize a journal of my thoughts on motherhood, feminism, etc. rather than as a means by which to gain an audience for my work; to be honest, before I started this, I thought blogging was just a narcissistic means of gaining attention online–I just didn’t get why anyone would do this. (I thought the same about MySpace, Twitter, etc.) My bachelor’s degree is in English with an emphasis in creative writing (I switched to literature for my master’s degree), so I used to participate in a lot of writing groups where we’d share and discuss our work; now I feel that I am once again among a community of writers as we read and comment on our ideas and writing. My blog is for me, written by me for my own enjoyment, but it isn’t just about me…which I think is really neat.
You all know my philosophy about motherhood by now. I know that motherhood is so much more than the credit it is given, and I believe that the “tide is turning” so to speak as more mothers work to change the perception of who we are and what we do. I never thought (or claimed) that my blog would have all the answers or solve the way society (and women) view the role of motherhood.
Here’s more of what I think: I’m personally convinced that “motherhood” will gain respect as a job, and mothers will gain respect for themselves, due primarily to one major activity: blogging.
Yes, blogging. Yes, us, ladies.
Why? Because, for the first time, thanks to the internet, we have a world-wide platform upon which to put our thoughts, concerns, and ideas out for everyone to share and discuss. We’re no longer limited to talking with neighbors in our suburbs, mother’s groups, co-workers, and immediate family members. When we have a tough day, we don’t have to go through it alone…we can blog/twitter/facebook about it and get sympathy, suggestions, or affirmations. We can explore topics that affect us, such as helicopter parenting/free range kids, dealing with school issues, relationships with family members, the frustrations of trying to do everything we need to do in just one day, and so many, many more.
Blogging has also become a management tool. We can find household advice on cooking and housekeeping blogs. We can find the best deals through couponing blogs. I’ll never buy a decorating magazine again, not when there are so many incredible decorating blogs with fantastic ideas and how-to articles. There are financial blogs, health blogs, parenting blogs…if you need an answer, you can find it someplace on a blog.
The one thing that makes blogging more informative/helpful than a website is the community. Okay, so, yes, we do spend more time on the computer than ever, and some sociologist have put out studies that our culture is “dying” as we become more “introverted” and our relationships less “real” as we have internet friends rather than “real” human interaction. But, the thing is, our human interactions have in the past been limited by those who are immediately around us…in other words, you got who you got for your community. If you didn’t like or have anything in common with your neighbor, your kids’ moms, your co-workers, etc., well, who else were you going to talk to? Not too long ago we had to pay for our long-distance calls on top of our regular service. If you wanted to have a friend in a foreign country, he/she was a pen-pal. If you didn’t like the advice/comments from those around you, you could seek help in the self-help section of the library/bookstore. Just because you have human people around you doesn’t mean that you cannot still be alone.
Our online community is nothing at which to laugh…the fact that advertisers are pitching bloggers attests to that. Advertisers know we’re talking to each other. We’re sharing, learning, growing, and hence becoming more powerful and vocal. Businesses and the media are taking us differently…still disdainfully as we’re ridiculed as “power moms with iPhones” and “cocktail moms” and “smart moms with available time.” But our voices are growing, along with the “don’t mess with us–we get things done” message.
It may be melodramatic to claim blogging is changing the world for mothers…but am I wrong?
On an end note, I’d like to promote a new community for moms started by a great mom blogger, The Obnoxious SAHM. She’s started a Ning community called Champions of Avoiding Housework, and it’s growing quickly in it’s first week. Join the revolution and share with other mothers who know that the sum of their worth does not lie only in cleaning the house and caring for the children; reclaim your womanhood and share with other women. I think it’s a great idea and certainly a worthwhile forum.
(This entire post was written in fifteen minutes with a child on my lap, so please forgive any spelling/punctuation/randomness errors. )
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OH MY GAWD girlfriend! I was just reading this… and WHOA! You mention ME and the new network! I heart you and you are now my new B.F.F.
I'll be RT on twitter and giving you shout outs because you absolutely hit this on da money babe! Fantastic and couldn't have said it better myself.
you go gurl.
(high fives n' air kisses)
I couldn't agree more with you! Granted, I am a very new blogger, tomorrow will be the 3 week mark for me, but I have felt better in these past 3 weeks about myself and my job as a mother than I have in a while. Just having this outlet has done wonders for me!
not wrong – totally right! beautifully written – as always! even with small child on lap!
Not sure I believe that blogging will change the world–but I do believe that as our economy gets worse, the value of the SAHM will go up, both in actual dollars and in prestige.
I just have to say that I am amazed that you wrote this great post in 15 minutes…w/a child on your lap! You are my hero:)
Spot ON Michele (as always). I have great love for my "bloggy buddies". They make smile, laugh and breathe a sign of relief (as in "thank gawd it's not just ME"). They pick me up when i am down and make me feel..I don't know..like I belong.I've heard blogging communities described as a tribe. I like that.
p.s I with ya with the kid-on-my-lap thing. I currently have one on mine, heckling the liver outta me…and feeding me pre-moistened fruit snacks.
Yum……
In tomorrows blog, I am mentioning this fantastic read and wrote about the power of blogging.
I also sent a link to you
It posts tomorrow morning at 12:05 am eastern standard time… so check it out tomorrow morning
Just found your blog and wanted to say hi … will be back to read more1
Wow. This was an awesome post – you commented above me on SITS today, and I'm glad you did so I could read this. This was awesome, and the fact that you wrote it with a child on your lap?? Even more impressive! I'm definitely going to have to check out the Ning community, too, because I enjoy the Obnoxious SAHM's blog a good bit. Thank you for hitting the nail on the head here with this post. Awesome!!
Excellt post! Found you on SITS, GREAT post, you are right on the money, very well said. I really like you site, I'm glad I found you today!
Hmmm, I like the way you think! I have found tremendous value in my blogging community and the relationships have become very important to me; thanks for your thoughts; Miss Obnoxious highlighted your post and so I found you
Bravo!!!
just found your blog. like it already!
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