My last post was poking fun at the decorating/organizing blogs popping up on the Internet, but truthfully I LOVE those blogs. They give me crafty hope and they are a bit like organization porn, a guilty pleasure because I’m sure I should be doing something else with the time I spend contemplating minutiae projects (my term), projects like painting drawer knobs or cutting out chalkboard labels.
Mommy Blogger Spotlight
It’s time for another mommy blogger spotlight round-up. If you are new, I highlight a different mommy blog in almost every podcast. As I said in the last spotlight, although the term “Mommy Blogger” is not without its controversy, I’ve stuck with it in a co-opting the enemy’s phrase kind of way (in other words, I’m sick of the term as a slight and want to use it as a compliment). If the term “Mommy Blogger” offends you, pretend like its a “Moms who write stuff I read and like” spotlight; as you can hear, that term is like peanut butter on the tongue; it doesn’t roll off very easily.
Here is a rundown of the most recent spotlighted blogs and the episodes in which they appear.
I’ve highlighted a total of eight blogs in my mommy blogger spotlight so far, but I haven’t talked about them in an actual post. I’ll use this week’s “Newsroom” post to provide a round-up of these blogs. Although the term “Mommy Blogger” is not without its controversy, I’ve stuck with it in a co-opting the enemy’s phrase kind of way (in other words, I’m sick of the term as a slight and want to use it as a compliment). If the term “Mommy Blogger” offends you, pretend like its a “Moms who write stuff I read and like” spotlight; as you can hear, that term is like peanut butter on the tongue; it doesn’t roll off very easily.
As the spotlight has shown so far, mommy blogs aren’t a monolithic group only talking about babies’ poops and coos (but we do sometimes, and that is more than okay.) Here is a rundown of the spotlighted Mommy Blogs and the podcast episodes in which they appear.
1. Money Saving Mom: I chose this as the first spotlight because this blog has a specific purpose, and one it does well. This purpose is to save moms money, hence the apt title. The blog is a Mommy Blogger bonanza and often pointed to as an example of the power, both purchasing and otherwise, in the mommy blogging world. The author and creator, a Christian mom who honed her frugal skills while her husband attended law school, provides free downloads for shopping list templates and meal planning schedules. I used these lists for a little while, failed miserably at coupon cutting, and have since conceded my frugal gene was lost somewhere between the Great Depression and the Baby Boomer era. That said, when I suddenly feel the desire to economize, I often check back at Money Saving Mom to prove to myself it can be done. [Highlighted in Podcast Episode 7: In Defense of the Mommy Blogger]
2. PhD in Parenting: This is the attachment parent’s mecca. I’m not a self-described attachment parent (see My Parenting Philosophy), but I have, let’s say, attachment sympathies. Annie, the blog’s Canadian author, speaks at blogging conferences and attracts a massive following. Although I don’t always agree with the blog’s tone, I admire the depth of research she will go to when making a point and I appreciate the seriousness with which she approaches her topics. She has a distinctive online voice, one that oozes integrity. [Highlighted in Podcast Episode 10: The Case Against the Case Against Breastfeeding]
3. I’m Totally That Mom: Jamie of I’m Totally That Mom pointed out PhD in Parenting to me when I was looking for articles and blog posts for a podcast episode on breastfeeding. Therefore, Jamie’s blog is similar to PhD in Parenting in philosophy, but has a smaller scope. To explain what I mean I quote her blog banner: “Yep, I’m *that* mom. Which one might that be? Oh it’s different on any given day. Sometimes I’m the granola crunchy hippy mom… sometimes I’m the mom that wonders if mimosas with breakfast are an okay way to start the day… and all too often I’m the mom who doesn’t remember the last time she got to shower. See which kind of day I’m having by taking a look at the latest entry.” [Highlighted in and guest host of Podcast Episode 10: The Case Against the Case Against Breastfeeding]
4. Motherlode: This is The New York Times‘ in house mommy blog by Lisa Belkin. I have quite a few blogs on my google reader that I check every so often, but only one on my iGoogle page, and this is the one. Belkin has been a writer for The New York Times for over a decade and is an author of a few books. In other words, she is one of the top mommy bloggers out there. If you are looking for a blog with a journalistic tinge, this is the one to read on a regular basis. [Highlighted in Podcast Episode 11: Baby Led Solids]
5. Anonymous 8: The Welcome page on Anonymous 8 says it “started as a group of 35-55 year old women who talk about everything. From the secrets of the bedroom to little-talked-about female issues, our friendship has changed our lives, offering a safe place to find advice and answers to embarrassing questions.” I’m not in the 35-55 year old age bracket (I’m 29 in case you were wondering), but I can appreciate a blog with a no topic off limits boast. Sure, Anonymous 8 is not a mommy blog in the traditional sense of the term, whatever sense that is, but many of the “embarrassing questions” revolve around motherhood. [Highlighted in Podcast Episode 12: What's a Doula]
6. Pundit Mom: Pundit Mom is Joanne Bamberger who is “a writer, political commentator, political/media analyst and recovering attorney living in the shadow of the nation’s capital.” She writes in many other places, but I discovered her work through her well-articulated blog. Some of her posts say exactly what I’m, unknowingly, thinking, quite a feat since I’m a self-proclaimed over-thinker. Bamberger is more liberal than not, so if you are the conservative type, consider yourself forewarned. That said, I wouldn’t call her blog a liberal diatribe in the least. She focuses a lot on popular culture and on political women, a nice resource for someone like me who wants to avoid politics but sometimes can’t help myself. [Highlighted in Podcast Episode 13: Bad Mother]
7. One Year in the Domestic Church: Abby’s project for One Year in the Domestic Church is like a Catholic version of Julie and Julia. She talks about how her family celebrates saint’s days and Church feasts. She includes descriptions of meals she makes and a history of some of the days/feasts. I’m not Catholic, far from it, so you might be wondering how I even came across her blog. Abby is my cousin and has appeared on a few podcast episodes. Considering my non-Catholic inclinations, I was surprised by how much I enjoy reading her blog. [Highlighted in and guest co-host of Podcast Episode 14: The Child Un-Friendly Skies]
8. Late Enough: Alex Iwashyna appeared on Podcast Episode 8: The Over-Educated Stay at Home Mom, and I felt compelled to highlight her blog once again because I am still reading it on a daily basis. Late Enough is the quintessential mommy blog in that she talks about her family and her life, but it hovers above the blogging crowd due to her writing style and sense of humor. [Highlighted in Podcast Episode 15: Your Post Baby Marriage]
That’s the round up. None of these bloggers asked to be spotlighted, most probably don’t even know I have included them (and I hope they don’t mind). The internet runneth over with mommy blogs and sometimes a little direction helps. If you have your own favorites, don’t hesitate to send me an email or comment below.
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