Mommy Blog Lines: Tal(k)ing Care

Mommy blogging has increasingly become of interest to mainstream media, with CBC Radio One’s Sunday Edition featuring a documentary this past Sunday, January 8, 2012, "Monetizing Mommy-hood" by Ira Basen, which can be heard at http://www.cbc.ca/video/news/audioplayer.html?clipid=2184262802 . The show is promoted in this way: "When mommy blogging began, the idea was that young mothers could create a virtual network with each other and exchange ideas. Then someone realized that there was big money to be made in the marketing of the mommy bloggers. In one case, a blogger in Utah has more than 100,000 visitors to her blog every day. The idea has taken off across Canada and the U.S." Of interest to me is how attention, while somewhat critical of the ability of mommy bloggers are able to speak their minds, the conflict of interest and the issues of authenticity, is not as focused on the mommyblogger who is interested in developing or being part of a community rather t...

Happy New Year! I always feel optimistic at the beginning of each day, each week, each month, and each year. I wonder what lessons wait for me and how I may respond to the uncertainties and challenges of life. I realized over the recent holiday season while visiting with family and friends that speaking openly about gender fluidity, in this particular case of folks doing drag, helps to both normalize those choices, and also open up space for others to ask questions that help them understand the choices that others make, as well as their own ideas, preconceived notions, and judgments about gender fluid expressions. From this conversation I again realized that when people don’t know about something they become fearful and judgmental. While I don’t often make new year’s resolutions, I am committed to trying to be open to other people’s understandings and to sharing my own perspectives and knowledge in ways that are respectful and honest. I will sign off by wishing everyone a peacefu...