I am a Mom. I have a Blog. This, by default, makes me a “Mommy Blogger”.
I do not have a problem with this title. At all. I have just wondered lately if I fit properly into that genre.
Looking through my posts, I do not speak much about the whole “Mommy” side of my life. I used to. I used to write posts that contained tales of snot, and of barf, and of wiping butt cracks.
Lately? Not so much.
I started to analyze what had changed.
Why was I so caught up in posting about my bad self, and not so much about my children?
Yes, I post photos of these children of mine. Pretty much every time I post. I do not seem to post much about the nitty gritty. About the struggles and the discipline and the BAD ATTITUDES.
Why is that?
I think it is because my eldest child is in Kindergarten. He is in a public school, with children whom I have not borne. I do not know most of their parents (well), actually.
I do not have fond memories of my school years. I was chubby. I was awkward. When I blew out my knee in Grade Seven from playing basketball, I ended up on crutches. A few kids told me they thought I was on crutches because I was too heavy to carry my own weight. It warmed my heart. Really.
Then, in Grade Eight, I had a group of girls corner me to tell me that I was a loser. Not worthy. Not welcome. It was awesome. It did wonders for my self-esteem.
School? In my opinion? It sucks. And blows.
I do not want to post tidbits of information that might come back to haunt my kids, should some IDIOT kid Google their name and choose to torment them with said information. They might have a ton of fodder to mock their Momma (*waves*), but that is OK. It is cool to mock your Mom. Except mine. (HI MOM!)
Does this mean that tales of bum-wiping may be far and few between?
Probably.
Does this mean that I might save the majority of parenting debates for discussion with my real-life friends?
Again, probably.
Does this mean I will stop posting photos of my children?
OH HECK NO.
Especially when I dress my little girl in the cutest new outfit and follow her around the yard.
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I just may save the tales of her (and the boys’) monstrous dumps (you have NO IDEA) for those outside of the Internet.
25 Comments
I think that is a very wise decision. I blog anonymously for a reason, but am thinking I would like a silent scream blog for the nitty gritty stuff. Two family members already read my blog occasionally, it’s only a matter of time before they pass it on.
witchypoo’s last blog post..Twins
Comment by witchypoo on April 16th, 2008 @ 2:39 amI’m a mom blogger but I don’t think I’m a mommy blogger. I will add funny stories and the like regarding my children, but my blog is to document ME. Selfish. Gasp.
I want to print it off year by year and have it as a journal of sorts for my children to read when they are older. I want them to know their mommy on different levels. I think it might help them understand their own lives that much more. I could go into more detail, but I’ll save that for email if you want…..
Reading The River Wife made me want to journal more. Blog more. Weird.
Holly’s last blog post..Idol Recap: Mariah, Mimi, The Big M
Comment by Holly on April 16th, 2008 @ 5:03 amHow funny that you posted this. It’s soemthing I’ve wrestled with and was composing a post on myself. I have a 10 year old and mentioned that he was reaching the point where I should stop featuring him on my blog. He actually asked me to keep talking about him and posting pictures because (and I quote) “I like the attention.” I still hesitate before every mention lest I post something that mortifies him. I guess he’s old enough I could have him pre-approve posts.
Indygirl’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday - Finally Spring
Comment by Indygirl on April 16th, 2008 @ 6:05 amI am a Momma Blogger. No one calls me Mommy. It is ALL Momma with an emphasis on the first two letters.
Mmmaaahhh-muh
Yep, I’m a Momma Blogger.
OMSH’s last blog post..So much to say…all the time in the world to say it.
Comment by OMSH on April 16th, 2008 @ 6:19 amWell since I am eating breakfast as I read this, I appreciate the omission of the tales about dumps.
sizzle’s last blog post..Hair-apy
Emily does the genetic kissy face!!!! Awesome.
And?
I am exactly the same way for the same reasons. I do still write occasionally about things I am not sure that I should or not but those things are usually more my issues than theirs. Still…I worry.
Loralee’s last blog post..Sideblog: Going to Minnesota!
Comment by Loralee on April 16th, 2008 @ 7:45 amThat is a very good point. You can be a mommyblogger and not spend every post talking about your kids. Every mommyblogger, and every blogger, is different. And that is why it is a great little community!
And that outfit is the cutest!
Kristabella’s last blog post..Seriously In Need Of A Vacation
Comment by Kristabella on April 16th, 2008 @ 7:55 amEmily is such a trendster. That last photo? Melted my heart.
hills’s last blog post..And You Can Dangle Your Carrot But I Ain’t Gonna Reach For It
Comment by hills on April 16th, 2008 @ 7:59 amOkay. That is the CUTEST outfit and sweater EVER!
I have memories of being cornered and told I had split ends in school (and at church - church friends are awesome). I never had weight problems growing up, but I had problems that felt just as bad. I was a geek, a loser, my sweat pants never matched my sweat shirt, my cat had fleas that one of my friends told everyone about and nobody wanted to or was allowed to come to my house.
Being a kid sucks.
Mrs. Wilson’s last blog post..Menu Plan Monday: It’s about time!
Comment by Mrs. Wilson on April 16th, 2008 @ 8:57 amMiss Emily’s kissy face is just too cute for words. I love it!
Sharon’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday - Laughter
Comment by Sharon on April 16th, 2008 @ 9:22 amI sometimes grapple with the same thing … most of my posts are so random … more like things I’d talk about with friends. And that’s not always my daughter.
But someone Googling her down the road and finding my blog? The horror! That never crossed my mind … another good reason I’m incognito.
LOVE the pics 
mommypie’s last blog post..More Wankers. Now With Nobs.
One of my favorite things about your blog is that you still write about YOU. I love that your kids, while clearly a key component of your life and identity, are mixed in with what you think about the world at large. It makes me think that I, too, could one day be a mom.
abbersnail’s last blog post..A year ago
Comment by abbersnail on April 16th, 2008 @ 10:31 amThat last photo of Miss Emily is priceless. Priceless! You’re gonna have a whole montage of kissyfaces to make into a slideshow at a party when she graduates from high school.
bethany actually’s last blog post..The Great Gumball Giveaway!
Comment by bethany actually on April 16th, 2008 @ 11:51 amYou raise some good points. I try to steer away from the negative stuff on my blog for that reason. When it comes to Ethan (who is at school) I am happy to write about his successes and funny sayings, but probably won’t go into detail about how he still wets the bed. Ya know? And as my boys get older, I imagine I will be more careful about what I include on my blog. At the moment, they both love seeing their photos up on the “puter” and as long as I keep my posts relatively happy & up-beat (at least when I’m talking about my kids) there shouldn’t be any backlash.
I’m sorry you had the experiences you did at school. I got teased a bit (who didn’t?) but overall my memories are good ones. I hope that my boys will be able to say the same thing … it’s a shame that other kids can be so cruel.
Hannah’s last blog post..Flocked & Fabulous!
Comment by Hannah on April 16th, 2008 @ 12:04 pmAt least you’re already skilled in mentioning the fact you used to change certain peoples diapers…so I’m sure you can use that skill when your children are 20 and bring friends over. 
songsinblue’s last blog post..Lessons in
Very cute outfit ! I agree with your thoughts on blogging about your kids. At some point they get to be themselves and I think kindergarten might be the time. I don’t have a whole lot of wonderful school memories either. To all those in grade 7 and 8 - LIFE GETS BETTER !
Comment by Heather on April 16th, 2008 @ 12:47 pmKids can be so cruel…
I want E’s sweater!!! If only we looked as good as she does in those outfits!
Comment by Michele on April 16th, 2008 @ 1:22 pmI agree. I’m a mom, I’m a blogger. I’m a mommy blogger. But I tend to blog about other things. Though I do include my child from time to time.
I find I return to the blogs that have other things to say. Not just things about their kids.
I loved the pics. She’s a doll!
Kristin’s last blog post..On choosing a spouse…
Comment by Kristin on April 16th, 2008 @ 2:11 pmI think the tone used by the WSJ on Dooce was a little condescending.
Besides, why the pigeon-holing. She’s a blogger. We all are.
buzzbishop’s last blog post..95Crave Show Notes - 04.16.08
Comment by buzzbishop on April 16th, 2008 @ 3:05 pmI just can’t get into that debate again. It’s probably why I hate the word “blog”. How about you’re a writer? And a photographer?
Mocha’s last blog post..Magnum Opus, Bitch
Comment by Mocha on April 16th, 2008 @ 5:41 pmHahahahaha! I have always laughed at that term: Mommy Blogger. There are so many posts I draft in my head then never post because of my fear of what is put on the internet is out there to come back and bite you in the . I have to say that what you do post is compelling enough … check out your site stats! Not too shabby. Keep up the great posts!
Comment by Red Lotus Mama on April 16th, 2008 @ 9:36 pmHmmm, this made me think. I never thought about school and what is to come. I am a mommy blogger for sure. Maybe I should tone down a bit….gotta go think!
The pics of Emily, too cute, I love her little dress, I want one to match….for Kaitlyn and I!
Anna’s last blog post..Potty in the park and…my reveal
Comment by Anna on April 17th, 2008 @ 9:36 pm
Oh no, does that make me a mommy blogger too???! I hadn’t really thought about that before. Hmmm….
Comment by Robyn on April 16th, 2008 @ 12:47 amSchool does make a difference though, doesn’t it. I’m pretty careful about what I put out there anyway, in case Paul’s clients or our bosses etc google us but I often check with Bec before I blog something about her. She has already copped teasing at school - I guess it happens to everybody at some point - but I never want to add any fodder for it. Its kind of depressing to think about. Did you know that a little girl told Bec, my absolutely BEAUTIFUL little girl, that she wasn’t pretty enough to be her (the other girl) friend? And that is at SIX. I cannot even begin to describe the FURY I felt. At least I have a child who is confident and secure about herself (at the moment) and brushed that off pretty quickly but it scares me to think how things will be when the girls get older.
Oh dear, I’m sorry that turned into a rant. I’m glad you post pictures of your precious babies
Robyn’s last blog post..The New Addition