Why Blog?

I know many of you are avid blog readers, making your daily rounds to digest the thoughts of many a mom. But perhaps others of you are new to the blog world and wonder why in the world you should stick around and read.

I didn't know much about blogging until late last year. My ex-boyfriend from college had started a blog in the late nineties and while I knew what it was, I never really paid much attention. I thought "online-diary" of my ex-boyfriend. Meh. Who cares?

But then a good friend of mine (and fabulous writer) gave me her url and I found myself loving it. I enjoyed keeping up with her life, but I also loved the fun topics and the ability to share my own voice in the comments. And being a lonely new mom struggling with a difficult baby, no friends, and no clue, I thought maybe it might help me meet other people. Plus, from all my reading on the topic of motherhood, I could never find anything that actually told me how it was - you know, all the dirty, difficult, and painful stuff that no one talks about.

Yes. Didn't you know? Motherhood is an easy, fun adventure! Weeeeeeeee...

And so started my voyage. I didn't even know about mommy blogs until a few mommy bloggers started visiting me. And then the skies opened up and I found an amazing community of women and men who shared their own experiences with parenting - the good, the bad, and the awful. And I learned that I wasn't alone.

I admittedly lost much of my own identity when I left my job. And being able to write about my experiences as a mother in a funny sarcastic way allowed me to find myself again. And being that I'm in a weird place, far from friends and family, blogging helped me connect again - to someone other than my baby.

Some of the blogs you read may be just online diaries, while others are like well-written columns that challenge your thinking on parenting and other topics. All of them have a value - maybe not to you - but to someone out there, if only to the writer herself, they are valuable.

So, if you're looking for support, camaraderie, or a good laugh (or cry), stick around - or peruse the other Clubmom offerings. I bet you'll find what you're looking for right there in my sidebar.

Comments

[fidget]

sorry I'm a bit late but i wanted to thank you for the linky love (my post today explains why i have been otherwise occupied)

I started blogging as a way to reach out. I get so lonely here surrounded by botox victims who have kids just to say they did. As one mom put it "i've done everything else so I though I'd give it a try" Her statement shook me to the core, her children were simply a new hobby!

Finding other moms who arent hiding behind the facade of perfection, those who admit to less than tidy homes, poop explosions and dinner disasters go a long way to keep my head out of the oven

[Dawn]

I love this post Kristen - My own husband can't understand why I enjoy the community of fellow bloggers. To him, it is just reading other people's diaries. It is, as you illustrate, SO much more.

[mothergoosemouse]

How I wish everyone would read this post - perhaps then they would understand why people blog and why it could end up being a fantastic addition to their own lives.

[Jaime]

You make me laugh every time I read your blogs. A few of my friend (not Mom friend either!) found you after listening to me talk about your blog and they continue to lurk about!!! :) Blogging has made all those crazy moments so much easier---just knowing there is someone else out there who goes through the same things makes life as a toddler-mom so much easier.

[Sunshine Scribe]

I am glad you found blogging Kristen. Your words make so many people laugh and feel less alone at the same time. I too stumbled into blogging and am so glad I did.