When I ventured upon the blogosphere I had no idea what I was in for. I didn’t intend on becoming part of a community, I was doing it for me – a personal journal where I could type my thoughts, share with a limited number of people and explore. What I didn’t realize was that so many people had the same idea. So many people were sharing and expressing their feelings frustrations and anxieties openly. So many people were dealing with similar situations and feelings, I wasn’t alone!
Coming from the world of message boards, sharing my feelings and not worrying about the backlash for my harsh or opinionated views was difficult. I didn’t know how to open up and speak freely. When my four year love affair with message boards came to an end, I was at the point where I bottled everything and only shared what people wanted to hear (and you can only type *awwww! hugs * so many times a day before wanting to slash your wrists). The constant bickering and drama was more then enough. I had to get out. So I turned to blogging.
I wasn’t sure of the reactions or acceptance that I would receive from those I had befriended in the message board community I had left. Would they still like me? Would they still visit me? Would we really be friends? I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be apart of a new, different, community and blindly turned to blogging thinking this would be my outlet and I wouldn’t have to worry about others. I had no idea I was actually venturing on a much more involved and loving community. I had no idea what I was really in for, and am just now beginning to understand it.
Blogging has empowered me to be ME! More open, more relaxed and free. I write what I think, I share what I want and read anything I find interesting.
I don’t feel compelled to have a SuperMom persona, nor do I fear sharing my failures. Do you know how empowering it is to even say that?!
I am human and I screw up. I don’t brush my toddler’s teeth every night. I dread bath time. I don’t play with building blocks. I encourage him to play alone. I let him cry it out. I walk away when he has tantrums. Sometimes I let him fall, so he’s aware of his surroundings. I’d rather laugh when he’s scared or trips instead of coddle him. I’d rather blog then incessantly toss the ball back and forth. I HATE DIEGO.
Her Bad Mother encouraged us to share how we’ve been empowered by blogging. Mommy Blogs Toronto is giving away a pass for BlogHer – the full fledge deal – it’s got it all! I am so jealous I can’t win (since I’m a MBT contributor – go see me there!). I didn’t realize how much I would have actually LOVED being a part of BlogHer until the pictures and stories surfaced from last year.
But now’s YOUR chance! Get your booty over to MBT and get involved for your chance to get the whole deal! Go! Go! Go!
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Psssst… Your “Go see me there!” link is wrong. You’re missing an ‘s’ in blog.
“I am human and I screw up. I don’t brush my toddler’s teeth every night. I dread bath time. I don’t play with building blocks. I encourage him to play alone. I let him cry it out. I walk away when he has tantrums. Sometimes I let him fall, so he’s aware of his surroundings. I’d rather laugh when he’s scared or trips instead of coddle him. I’d rather blog then incessantly toss the ball back and forth.”
Are you my twin?
I am still partially attached to one message board, just for nostalgia’s sake, but I totally get what you mean. The blogosphere is so much less judgemental; and while I can’t say whatever I want (I fear someone who shouldn’t see it, might), I feel a lot more free to “be me”.
Well I’m still here, Sam. I still love ya’–all of ya’, not just the *awwww! Hugs* LOL In fact, your more fun here than there–more real for sure. And yes, I am more open and free and me in blogging as well–I have no one to worry about other than me; no TOU I may be breaking; no feeling I may step on; no image to uphold and consider; I am me when I blog…thanks for introducing me to it (((HUGS)))
OK, just had to throw that in the for old times sake LOL
I just had to get far away from baby talk. Sorry. No I am not sorry LOL. That is who I am. I cannot talk baby 24/7. There is so much more to me then being a mom. It just got BORING on the boards. And forget the backlash to some of my posts – or the subtle snarky comments -shit – I couldn’t talk about anything I wanted to – without having to think who i was going to offend first. Sometimes i got answers that made me wnat to fling my puter across the room. :0D KWIM. Now I have control. I say what I want. When I want. I write my poetry and I don’t care if anybody cares or not. Thats me. Thanks for introducing me to blogger. It took a while but it has stuck.
I hear ya, and I say WTG on the parenting techniques (sp?) Im the same way with caleb. He turned out just fine, moms who live by the book, arent always “in the know” KWIM?
Oh and p.s.
When I talk about message boards…I now mean the last one I was a member at. Not Sm. But Sm is included as well. And I must rephrase about my poetry – I care when people CARE and when they don’t care, nor do I LOL. That came out all wrong.
YOU ROCK! I agree whole-heartedly with your comments on the whole blogosphere world. I entered for the same reasons and this week I was a little shocked to be criticized by a few (& receive a few nasty e-mails) regarding MY OPINIONS (mine) on a new local bike helmet law here and now today on a post regarding Kristen’s duck fiasco!! (I’m pro keep the duck too)
But I don’t mind. I love being able to express my “true” self. It’s empowering to know that those who judge me don’t really know me.
By the way, we encourage our 4.5 year old to go downstairs (to our finished basement) and watch tv – so we can enjoy a little peace & quiet! I loved your post!
Once again I love your candor; as much as we love our babe’s, more than life itself, as you well know, (and thank-God are REAL about!) it’s not always puppy-dog’s or pink bow’s. I think alot of Mom’s sadly think if they we’re to be real and describe Motherhood realistically with it’s bad/difficult day’s included they would feel guilty but most importantly would give a damn that other “in-denial” Mom’s would judge them. Rawk on Mama~! Still readin’
Annalise
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