As bloggers, I feel like we're all trying to get more readers, get more comments, get more publicity -- but why? What for? We're doing it for all the wrong reasons folks. Do it for you. Don't do it for anyone else. It's time to get real. It's time that I address my blogging identity crisis and just embrace that this has, in fact, become a MOM BLOG.
I admit it. I talk about my kid non-stop and I totally understand that it can be really annoying to those who want nothing to do with kids. I tried for months to balance between mom-blog and life-blog, but these days? I cannot think of anything else I want to post about besides Noah. If this is truly a life blog, then that's what my life is now. It's him. My life is all wrapped up in this teeny tiny person who can just look at you and make you melt. Even when he's pooping all over me right before dinner, he never ceases to make me smile. Granted, I there are times I just want to scream but as soon as he squishes that nose up and smiles - gah, I'm done. He's got me. And in those moments where it's just me and him? I sit and realize, I'm a mom. I'm responsible for another person. He's going to look to me for advice and guidance and that's kind of a big freaking deal. It's something I know I can't do alone, as they say, it takes a village, right?
Us moms need each other, whether it's in real life or over the internet, I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have my sister to relate to or friends like Colleen, Lucy, Brittany or Abby to vent to. To cry to. To listen to and empathize with. I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have bloggers like MK or Motley Mama who write what I'm too afraid to write! They gave me the courage to embrace my mom-hood and just blog what I feel.
I'm turning a new leaf and going to write what's in my heart and I really hope you'll stick around. Sure, things might get a little hairy, but that's life. That's parenthood. That's how I roll. I'm not afraid to be honest so why am I so hesitant to tell you guys that I really don't like breastfeeding? Why am I silencing myself from telling you that my kid was up at 2am screaming his face off again? Just because a few of you might unfollow? Well, so be it. I need to express who I am on my blog because that's what it is, it's my blog.
Whew. That got a little more intense than I really expected it to be but now that it's out there, I hope you moms and non-moms will still hang with me, even if I am talking about poop and vomit 99% of the time. I promise, there will be cute pictures involved. :)
29 comments:
I agree with you word for word! I actually just started questioning my own blogging identity. Sometimes I want to post really really boring things about my day with baby but stop myself because I'm concerned with the interest of my reader. Other times I want to bitch and rant and give my opinion on controversial topics but don't because I don't want hate mail or people to un-follow me. I'm beginning to realize this is my blog, my life and if I want to be boring or a bitch then I have the right to.
And geez, Noah is so cute! Love those eyes.
Hey you got it just right girl. This is your blog. It's not a Mom blog or a lifestyle blog, it's a Jess blog. And we love you & love reading about your cuter than cute family. By trying to please everyone, you'll please nobody, including yourself.
If people don't like your blog and don't like what you have to say, they can hit "unsubscribe"---it's not that hard. I've never understood people who "hate" on bloggers decisions or give them a hard time about only focusing on one thing (i.e. baby, wedding, etc). Just don't read them! It's one thing to give a blogger you've read for a long time an honest opinion about something, but overall I think most naysayers should go find something more productive to do with their time.
I know ignoring them is easier said than done, but this is YOUR blog---write about whatever YOU want!
You are absolutely right! Way to go..... Your followers would rather read what you want to write about compared to writing for them.
I love this post and think that being honest and blogging about what you want to blog about is definitely the way to go. To be honest the thought of breastfeeding actually scares me. I've promised myself that I'll give it a try when baby is born, but that doesn't take away the fact that the horror stories I've heard make me want to not do it and I havne't even gotten to that point yet!
YAYYY for mom blogs! LOVE this post... and seriously I DIE over that pic. (AND EVERY OTHER PIC OF NOAH).
I'll be here no matter what you blog about! I love it all.
I personally LOVE all your adorable Noah stories and pics! :) I'm definitely staying put!!
I think it's completely expected that when someone has a baby, their blog is going to turn into all about babies. I mean, duh, right? So those negative nancies can move on! :-) I'm having the same struggle, but I just feel completely uninspired!
I thought you only blogged for me?
you know I won't complain about seeing more pics of Noah. who could complain about that??? i think a true life blog is constantly evolving--just like we are, as people. my blog went from drunken college pictures to wedding and now baby. my blog is bipolar. haha. people will keep reading because you're authentic. heart you, friend. :)
Well said momma! Your life definitely becomes all about kids once youvhave them. At least for awhile I'm assuming! I love reading about your life! Thanks for writing :) glad to have found you (thanks Maria!) !
I LOVE this. Write what you want, and about what your life is. In the end, it'll only bring you closer to fellow bloggers, and we'll totally appreciate you more for your honesty. Besides, I want to hear all the hairy details about what I'm getting myself into - poop, vomit and all!
Love this post!
Aw, hon, I'm sorry you've been struggling with this identity crisis. But I 100% agree with your decision. It's your blog, it's your life, write about it! I know I'll still stick around and keep reading, even though I don't have kids. I love reading your blog because I consider you one of my blog friends, and so I care about whatever you write, because YOU wrote it, no matter what the subject!
I completely understand how you feel. You should read some of the nasty comments that were sent my way after mentioning "home birth". One person even had the notion to tell me I deserve my baby to die. WTF. People are jacked. It's totally your space and since Noah is a HUGE part of it of course your going to blog about it.
I totally plan to as well. Down to the last dirty detail. Even if I hate breastfeeding. I'm on your side on this one and happy to continue reading :o)
haha, I'm here :)
Dude. Like you said, Noah IS your life right now. If anyone is criticizing that you write about him, well...then they suck. Yeah, I said it. I wrote about my health problems and surgeries because that was my life at the moment...and yeah, I found out that people I thought were friends were saying really shitty things about what I was writing. OH WELL. That is their problem, not mine. And the same goes for you. If they don't like it, it's THEIR problem. You do what you're doing. :)
I hate the categories like "life blog" "mom blog" "outfit blog" or whatever. Be real and write about your REAL life and I'll probably read. You always have done that and I love you for it! And so I am happy to be reading about your real life with cutie Noah!! Worst case, you scare me off from having kids this century LOL! Love ya girl!! Great post!
Girl, you write about whatever you darn well feel like writing about! I'm your friend and I'm stoked to hear about your daily life... which is NOAH (and photography and all the other fun stuff you're good at writing about) :) And you know I'll never complain to see more and more pics of that cutie. Love you, boo!
I hope you don't mind if I swear a bit, but I for one fuckin' LOVE that you write about Noah all the time. And I love that I have all you mom friends to ask shit to because honestly? I'm freaked out that I don't know anything about being a mom. So I love this post and I say keep on writing about what you want to write about, be that Noah or anything else. I love hearing about your experiences!!
Aww, Jessica, I'm so glad you wrote this. I think people connect more with blogs when the bloggers are honest about what's going on instead of writing about all the happy, picture-worthy moments. So, I'm a fan of the honest, this is what's going on in my life posts. Keep them coming!
Every once in a while, I realize that I'm only blogging about McK - and that's okay. Like you said, she is the apple of my eye and the most important thing in my life. It's hard NOT to blog about her! I can't wait to read all about Noah :)
I totally agree! blog for you! But it is soo hard to let go of "trying to get more followers" etc stigma of blogging! You go girl!!
And that baby of yours is to stinking cute for his own good! ;-)
I'm so happy that you're writing about what's on your mind - and it's only normal/right that it's Noah a lot of the time. My favorite thing about your blog is that it's not contrived. You don't write about things because you think you should, or because it's what you think people want to read. Honestly, I'm going to get all sappy here - but you're one of the most genuine people I've ever met and if anyone wants to criticize your blog posts, just send them my way, okay?
Aw, thanks for mentioning me! Right back at you, lady - I don't know what I would do without you and other mamas to keep my sanity. it truly does take a village. I hope you share what's on your mind - we'll be here no matter what!
i love your blog. you do what you need to do.
I will follow your blog no matter what. It's just a perk for me that you and I both have new humans to take care of. =)
Love this. My blog has never had a defined identity and I've always struggled with that. I think you (and everyone too) should blog about whatever they want to. And I know I'll still be reading regardless of what you're posting!
I so hear you when it comes to people constantly trying to gain through blogging. I contemplated starting one for 2 years before I finally went for it. I started out intending to share my post partum depression story, but ultimately like you, the majority of my days and life revolve around my children and what they are doing. I was worried that people would stop reading because my posts weren't always "deep and insightful", but how much can I really write about PPD? I told my story and now it's time to celebrate the joys of my life. It's an amazing way to connect and feel like other people understand you and support you. I'll still be reading no matter what you write :)
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