Mommy Bloggers
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Mommy Bloggers are reinventing the definition of mom. Mommy bloggers do everything from writing simple but addictive journals about life as a mom to influencing fellow moms on hot political issues to creating massive mom empires. Here are tips for mommy bloggers, ranging from how to get started blogging to coping with mommy blogger criticism and earning money as a mommy blogger. Mommy Bloggers Editor: Mary Davis |
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Social Luxe is hosting a contest to honor blogs. In addition to amazing attendees and pampering galore, the BlogLuxe Awards will be presented at the Swiffer SocialLuxe Lounge. Voting is open until July 6th and you can vote once per day. Below is a list of Type-A Mom Editors who have been nominated for an award in one of the eight categories.
In case you haven't heard, I am planning a major blogging conference right here in Asheville. The speaker line-up is unreal, with some of the biggest power bloggers and influencers in the world.It's also in my home town, which is worth a visit all on its own.
I recently came across an article at Redbook's website. It's about keeping your partner "plugged into parenting" when you're a mom blogger. The article gives suggestions for new moms who spend a great deal of time interacting online to be sure to include their spouse in caring for the baby and how not to neglect their romantic relationship in favor of the support they receive from online friendships. This really got me to thinking about the role our partners have in regard to our blogging and their reaction to the amount of time we dedicate to our online endeavors.
You've probably heard the advice about guest posts for increasing traffic and rank. It makes sense. If you get others to provide informative content on your blog, it's likely that some of your guest's readers will pay a visit to your blog, and the links can lead to increased Page Rank. That's all well and good, but many of us aren't really sure how to go about finding guest bloggers whose content and voice mesh with our blogs. And let's face it, as moms, we don't have a ton of extra time to go scouring the internet looking for fabulous folks to contribute to our blog. If you're like me, you barely have time to post to your blog on a semi-regular basis. What about if you'd lke to be a guest blogger in order to promote yourself, your service, or your business? That's time consuming as well. I've recently come across a site that could be the answer we've been looking for.
With Dara Torres’s recent appearance on “Weekend Today” and HP and Dara’s “Moms for Simplicity” online essay contest hitting more than 500 entries and growing, there’s no better time for moms to join the movement at HP Moms For Simplicity.
I am super excited to take this opportunity to introduce myself as the new Mommy Bloggers Editor here at Type-A Mom! Some of you may know me as Type-A Mom's former Pregnancy Editor, but for those of you who don't, let me introduce myself!
Children are given rights from the time they are born. Activists, organizations, laws, and parents all guard the child from harm. So when a mom or dad decides they are going to embark on a digital journey of recording parenthood who and what protects the child and his or her privacy on the net? What rights do children have when mommy or daddy decides to blog about the children? What are, if any, the ramifications for disclosing information about ones child on the internet via a blog?
Granted, mom and or dad are the adult in the home and each deems what is best for their child. They are certain that the child is off to school in a safe manner, they surf the web in a safe manner, mom and dad ensure the children are safe in their own home free from dangers such as guns, chemicals, and other miscellaneous hazards. But what about from the parent themselves, who and what protects the child and his or her privacy from mom and dad blogging about their lives? I would hope that some parents inform their children or encourage them to read family blogs, I personally do with my son and he finds the whole thing entertaining and feels like a celebrity. However, I wonder if that will change if I continue to blog into his teen years and he is able to read and search for himself the chronicles of my musings with him. Personally, if my mother had done that I would have been furious; I would have screamed and threw a fit at "how dare she" invade my privacy and share the intimate and sometime embarrassing details of my life.
An online protection law does exist for children which is the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998. The act was created as a safe harbor for e-business and children to ensure that the site and or organization was not collecting information from a child online without parental consent and that the child is at least 13 years of age. Now I am not sure about the law nowadays because if my five year old can open an internet browser window, go to Google and search for Nickelodeon I am pretty sure he can maneuver to other sites as well. Not to mention he can type his name, his birthday, his address minus the zip code, kids know a lot at their ripe and tender school age. But the other sites are not as much of a problem as long as my husband and I are monitoring his internet use, the problem would be the other users in chat rooms or other users reading my blog and learning details and habits of my children. Another problem would be if I am disclosing too much about my child to others that would infringe on his personal privacy rights and that may put them in harm's way.
Family blogs detail what kids do from time to time even if they are not chronological. Patterns can be disseminated from these blog posts and pictures that have dates. Some family blogs actually have the real names of their children right there on the site for the entire world to see. Some parents may feel at ease with providing this information, others may not and may use aliases or nicknames for their children on the blogs. No one can tell you what to do with a blog; however, protecting your children should be a priority. Predators are everywhere, including online and in your neighborhood and some will go to great lengths to satisfy any urges. Some suggestions to safe harbor your children from predators and to ensure his or her privacy:
- Possibly use aliases or nicknames.
- If no nicknames or aliases are used, use only first names and do not disclose last names, not even on your email hyperlink for your blog.
- If your children are old enough and understand the blog, explain to them and ask them how they feel about your chronology and tales of life as a parent and the details of their lives.
- If your child understands and is not comfortable with the fact you blog about them, think about discontinuing or discuss the matter further to determine a course of action appropriate for the entire family. As children age they gain more and more rights, even protection rights from parents.
- Do not disclose exact site of a local park, water park, theme park that could easily lead predators to your children. Larger locations such as Disneyland or such would be okay to disclose, but local attractions near your home could be an invitation.
No one can tell you how to blog. If you feel comfortable enough to use first names and feel this provides a sense of connection go ahead and do so, albeit your children may not appreciate the fact you blog about them so be sure to have the discussion about why you blog. Be sure to use tact when publishing information about your children, they have the right to some privacy and dignity as well, even if the blogged information was never intended to be hurtful only as a musing and a common place for other family blogs and family members to enjoy.
Earlier this year, the Federal Trade Commission announced it was looking into extending product liability to internet reviewers. This had mommybloggers tucking their tails. To many, getting new products to review and/or giveaway is a perk of writing about your life. This commotion has reiterated the need for full disclosure on your site.
When men and women start a blog they have a general idea of what kind of content will be showcased. Men blog about sports, politics, kids, wives, or conquests and they have a voice. Women blog about similar items, but when the spotlight is turned on Mom bloggers the voices are or can be an evolution of sorts. Mom bloggers start out posting about all the ticks and funnies of her day-to-day with kids and or husband in tow. However, at some point in time the voice of the blog may change.
In the world of blogs there are those who have blogs and those who have SUPER blogs. These blogs and super blogs are like the Young and the Restless of the net. When I say super blog I mean the women, generally a mom of sorts, who have a product review and or giveaway just about once a week, if not every day. These women bloggers are paid either in cash or some form of benefit and are the envy of some of the blog-less.
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