"Mommyblogger" Myths Debunked

I read this post by Mary McCarthy from Pajamas and Coffee about why she hates mommybloggers.  At first I saw the title and thought...WHAT?!!!  Damn, hate is a strong word.  But I read it.  And I got what she's saying. 

I also believe that there are a few myths when it comes to women who have blogs and also happen to be moms.

"Mommyblogger":
Let me start with the whole "mommyblogger" term.  Yes, it can be super annoying to be put in that category.  I am a mom and I have a blog.  I write about my kids.  That is true.  But I also write about wanting to lose weight, my clothes, my childhood, my interests, and lies I still tell my dad.  Every post is NOT strictly about being a mom.  I guess maybe the term "Parenting and Lifestyle Blogger" would be suitable.  Or how about about just plain old "blogger"?  That works for me.  When I was teaching and then had my children, people didn't go from calling me a teacher to a mommy teacher or a teaching mom.  Why to we do it with bloggers?  Why do we have this label? 
However, I must add that the majority of my posts do tend to discuss topics related to my kids and being a parent.  That's just where I am in my life right now so it only makes sense to write about those topics.

Fake ass b*tches:
I totally get how Mary thinks that bloggers can create this whole "persona" on their blog...and then in real life they are a big b*tch.  You never know.  I mean, haven't you seen the episode of Good Luck Charlie where Amy writes a blog and invents a whole extra child named Skippy, strictly to have more writing material.  Oh no, only me?  Gosh, I really do love that show.  But I can assure all of you that don't know me in real life, what you see is what you get with me.

Show me the lack of money:
I don't know many mommybloggers who are making a mint off of this gig.  For real, yo.  Yes, maybe we get some ads placed on our blogs here and there.  We may get free products to review.  But to make money, real legit money like it's a job, it takes time, hard work, more time, more hard work for NO pay...and it very well may never happen.  I am still waiting for my ship to come in.

Blogging is a Job:
I can only say that I WISH blogging was my job.  I truly do.  But it's not.  Blogging is not how I pay my bills.  Blogging is not a 9 to 5.  It is something I do at night when the kids are asleep...or during nap time (like right now).  This is true for most bloggers that I "know".

You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours:
Mary mentioned that most mommybloggers have found their niche and their audience so they write all of their posts in the same style.  Then their loyal followers read and share, share, share.  It is like write, rinse, share, repeat.  And I must say that this is true at times.  I have so many bloggers that I LOVE to read.  I trust their taste...so when they share something, I head over and read it.  Sometimes I also love that post.  Other times I am left thinking Hmmm, that wasn't really share-worthy but that's the drill.  You are a virtual friend of the blogger, you share their shit.  No matter what.  It's nice that people do that for each other.  But there are times when I think people are getting exposure when it wasn't deserved.  I guess it's all who you know.  Personally, I can tell you that I will share something if I read it and LOVED it. That's about it.  I don't expect anything in return, at all.  I think this is mostly true for others who are plugging away in this blogging biz.

In closing, I really enjoyed reading Mary's post.  It was great food for thought.  I highly suggest you read it, especially if you are a mom...and you have a blog. 

I also highly suggest that we see women who blog for what they are.  Many are, in fact, moms.  Many have life experiences that they want to share with others, whether it be about parenting, struggles with depression or addiction, fertility issues, illness, or loss.  Many just want to share a laugh.  Many are educated women who have friends and interests outside of their children. 

They are not women who sit in their jammies all day (well, maybe sometimes), drinking wine, and complaining about their children.  Yes, they may enjoy wine.  Yes, they may complain and use their blog as an outlet.  But don't let that define us.  Let that just be a little part of who we are.  And let us try our best to use our voice to make others smile, to help them feel that they are not alone, and to make even the slightest difference in this crazy world.