Outnumbered

Learning about mommy blogging

I started my first blog back in 2008 (or was it 2007?)

I started writing as a diary of my life with 2 kids.  I didn't want to forget anything, so I thought I'd simply use my blog to jot down my thoughts & feelings.  As I pursued furthering my nursing education, and had another baby, blogging took last place on my list of priorities.

My very first post was about a woman who talked to me in the mall parking lot one day...remind me and I'll post it someday (if I can find it on my old computer).  It was a moment and a piece of advice that I will never forget...

Anyway, now that I'm writing almost every day (or posting almost every day) I am learning some fun and interesting facts about mommy bloggers.

A few of my friends actually have expressed interest in blogging and I'm so excited to start reading their posts!  I have so many intelligent & creative friends who are much more witty than me...when they start blogging, I'll let you know too!

Here are a few tidbits I've discovered about mommy blogging:

1)  BLOG is actually short form for Weblog.  Get it, Web-Log!  If you're a techie you're probably rollling your eyes and scoffing at me, but I honestly did not know where "Blog" came from before I ventured into my own.

2) In addition to BLOGS, moms are also getting their stories out there and building online communities with VLOGS.  Wanna know what VLOG stands for?  Yep...you're obviously smarter than I am - video log!

3) There are many platforms you can blog on. Typepad, Wordpress, Blogger are just a few of the most popular.  They make it so easy - for the most part you pick the design you want and start typing away.

4) Even though it looks like I post every day, sometimes I will write extra posts when my kids have gone to bed on time (rarely), or when I'm feeling creative.  With typepad, I can actually set my posts to publish at a certain date and time.  So I could write now and post next week.  So cool!

5) There is a huge cult community of mommies out there to connect with and read about.  Check this out, it's crazy!!!  http://www.topmommyblogs.com or http://www.mombloggersclub.com/ Many moms just start out just writing as a diary like I did, wanting to keep an online scrapbook of their adventures.

6)  It's a MYTH that YOU as a mommy have nothing to write about. I've had a few people say, "Oh, I could never do that..."  I will guarantee that you can write.  Most nights, I have nothing on my mind and I will just start writing.  More words just start flowing as you write.  Some posts are better than others, that part is true.

7)  I have a few favourite mommy blogs.  A few are really well known like my ULTIMATE fave  Playgroups are No Place for Children who blogs about life with kids & also offers tips on mommy blogging.
Others are authors of books & blog as well: Because I said so. Others, are professional working moms who are striving to find balance: Spilled Milk.  (She's a lawyer and mommy by day, mommy blogger by night, love it!)
Janine is a sweet home-schooling pastor's wife whose memoirs are called Spoonful of Sugar.
Other mommy bloggers get to review products and give them away for free like at Millenial Housewife !

8)  When someone who feels like your friend thanks to the world of mommy blogging, but yet also feels like a celebrity thanks to the world of mommy blogging actually comments on a post YOU'VE written, it is such an exciting moment.  When Jennifer from Playgroups commented on this post, I was on CLOUD 9 for like a good hour and yelled, "Brian, Jennifer commented on my post!!"  He replied, "Ummmm WHO is Jennifer?"  : )    Um, seriously this excitment is equivalent to people who are tweeted by Donnie Wahlberg!

9a) There are many tricks to the trade that I have yet to learn. I like the design of my blog and I've added a few extras for fun but I like the fact that I just have to click "New Post" and can start typing. Keepin' it simple works for me. 

9b) There are "dummies" books out there for people like me. Blogging for Dummies and even TypePad for Dummies. I won a free copy for coming up with an idea for a book I'd write if I were to write a dummies book (FYI my book was called how to be a superstar momma & still look hot for dummies! I guess they thought it was funny!!)

10) Mommy blogging is scandalous! Lots of negative press about being a mommy blogger. Trust me...or even better, google it!

11) Mommy bloggers make change.  Check out just one example of this in an article featured in the Financial Post.

10) For only 10 bucks a year you can buy your own domain name. Hence my domain www.outnumberedmomma.com

11) Sometimes the hardest line to write is the last one. 

The moral of the story is blogging world is very complex, confusing, exciting, wacky and wonderful  and I'm just trying to navigate through it with a little style and grace.
And how's this for the last line...I've got spaghetti noodles cookin', garlic bread toastin', spaghetti sauce simmerin' & this mommy blogger has gotta run!

Much love,

: )  Keri

Mommy Bloggers

This may be your first blog reading experience, or your millionth. 

Either way...there are some things I've learned about mommy blogging that I will share with you. 
For me, as I peruse through other mommy's blogs I do gain new perspectives on parenting and life in general.

I will be honest however; I usually end up pondering another child, what I'm going to cook for dinner, my plans for the book I'm going to write in the near future, and I usually feel the need to do something domesticated. 

Not very empowering for mothers right?

Well, a lot of the moms whose blogs I read are stay-at-home or work-at-home moms.  So in the end,this full-time working out of the house momma starts to long for mundane tasks like laundry and floor mopping (oooh I just love when I get to scrub those tiles).  I love to hear about the challenges and joys other moms experience, and it makes me feel normal.  I'm the first to admit that no one is perfect and for those that pull off this mothering business acting like they are perfect, are probably lying.

When I read mommy blogs, I usually end up reading one woman's blog about her 6 children and the 2 books she's written & I wonder what life would be like with SIX children.  (I'm still on the fence about having one more!)
Then I read another sweet mom's blog who homeschools her three girls and I start to think maybe it's a good idea.
Another day I read a cool young mommy's blog who admits to reading some erotica novels in her spare time (and she's Canadian, yeah!) 
Later, I might stop by Play Groups are No Place for Children to see what this sweet momma is up to, and check out her blogging tips section (for the 21st time, 'cause I can't seem to keep them straight)

In the end...it's worthwhile time for me. It's obvious mommies have a lot on their plates.  Been there, done that, got the t-shirt quite some time ago...so when I hear people say "Oh well your blog looks like a lot of work..." I find it a wee bit irritating.

Then I find myself justifying why I write.  Then I think who am I justifying this TO? But I need to get it out, so please bear with me.  I am home pretty much ALL the time when I'm not at work.  Since working full-time I have not had any nights out, dinners out without children, no parties, just doing the mommy thing. That is NOT a complaint, it's my own choice.  To be honest, I like it that way -- I would rather be at home with my kids & husband that be away from them and feeling like I'm missing precious time with them.

That's why my blog started. I always wanted some type of journal type collection of my mommy thoughts & reminders of funny things the kids have done or said.  This is the perfect avenue, and I'm lucky enough that some people actually want to read what I have to say, and even luckier that people offer their thoughts, ideas and kind words of support.  AND I've had visitors from Norway & Austria, how cool is that?

Oh, and the best thing about blogging....in keeping with my motto...

Nothing beats free therapy.

Whewwweeeeeeeee, I feel better already!