Friday 21 March 2014

In defence of mummy bloggers

This week, someone I know posted a link to an American blog entitled 'why I hate mommy bloggers'. Despite being one, I can enjoy a little self-deprecating humour so I wanted to read on and see what this blogger had to say which was so funny.

To be honest, whilst there may be a few characteristics that ring true or some experiences which I'm sure do happen with some bloggers from time to time, I failed to see the blogger's point and just couldn't place why she was so angry.

You can read the post here and I encourage you to do so - if you're a mummy blogger, I'd love to know how you feel and if you're not, but read related blogs (which I guess you do because you're reading this), see what you think of what she has to say.

The main argument that this woman presents and keeps coming back to is how she's not bleep bleeping interested in posts that share mundane anecdotes from an average life or share things she doesn't want to know. She continuously makes a point that she's not a mum by choice, and fair enough, she deserves respect too just like any SAHM. But, my question is, why is she reading mummy blogs?

It's like if I chose to read sports blogs and then wrote a post slating what such writers talk about. What do I care about the latest transfer deals or th debate over whether there should be standing areas at football matches? (How did I do there, seeing as I have no interest in football whatsoever?!). Who am I to judge these kinds of bloggers when clearly, their content isn't for me?

She says that we have a feeling of importance based on the success of our blogs and events we go to and yes, I have to agree, at least on my part. Who doesn't like to know that something they work very hard on is read and enjoyed by others? She says we demand respect. Yep, correct. I can see the humour in what she says but I feel that every women, whatever her choices, deserves respect and mummy bloggers are sharing their experiences, no-one else's.

Other points she tries to make is that we overdo the mummyness. Er, guilty! If you write about being a mum then I'm pretty sure you're children will feature somewhere. That's the point. And again, if you read mummy blogs, you know what you're in for. 

She also says that we're fakes. Again, I'm sure that some people may come across like everything in their life is A OK but the blogs I read and this very blog itself share the life of real mums. I don't pretend to 'fart rainbows' as this blogger says I think I do. I acknowledge the good times and the hard times because this is what my blog is about. Sharing my life and interests and hoping people enjoy reading and find something helpful, useful or reassuring now and again.

She also ask what our talent is. Well. I'm not sure what hers is to be quite honest - being a snippy person who enjoys verbally bashing other people perhaps?

My main issue with this post and the comments the people I know we're making about it on Facebook is the cynicism and downright judgement that too many women have about other women. To be a blogger of any kind is a very open and exposing thing to do. I do it because I get a great deal of support from the people I connect with and blogs I read and I too want to support other mums like me. And share cute photos and beauty tips and other bits and bobs that interest me.

I don't even know who this blogger is but this post bothered me.

I just hate that we can be our own worst enemies and rather than just accept what someone else does for what it is, even if it's not for you, we attack them. Poke fun. Pigeon hole everyone in the same category.

I judge judgement. And I support mummy bloggers in all their guises as we do have something valuable to contribute.

If you don't agree, then this blog isn't for you. 
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16 comments

  1. If she "dislikes" Mummy bloggers so much why read? She sound like quite a cold person, a extremely judgemental. Not going to have a look as it sounds like it would just wind me up! Have a lovely day :-) x #willynilly

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    1. It did wind me up so it's probably best you don't read it then! ;) I can take some of the humour but the basis of the post is flawed and just rather hateful.

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  2. Agreed- if she doesn't like she shouldn't read # willynilly

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  3. Well said. If she doesn't like it, she should just click away and find something else to read. Keep up the good work on your lovely blog xx

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    1. She should and thank you Kate, I really appreciate your kind words! x

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  4. just sounds like a very bitter person, no one is making them read the posts, that's their choice. I support all bloggers, no one genre is better than another, its nice to have variety of different ones to read x

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    1. Variety is the spice of life! No-one is going to love everything one person has to say but we read blogs knowing that there will be some things that interest us and other things that won't as much.

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  5. Don't ALL bloggers have a feeling of importance based on the success of their blogs? I mean, I only read a couple of 'mummy blogs', and the parenting aspects are not what draw me in if I'm completely honest, but I find them more honest and imperfect than a lot of rainbow-farting lifestyle blogs. This is like saying that all artsy bloggers are flakey hippies, or all book bloggers are social retards. How ridiculous. xx

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    1. I completely agree Daire! Reading blogs is one of the most specific things you can read, as you choose to do so based on interests and relevance to yourself. Thank you for your comment x

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  6. She sounds so bitter, I feel sad for her but also so irritated I typed a scathing comment for her then deleted so she didn't get attention for her nastiness

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    1. It certainly does seem to have ruffled a few feathers, not just mine!

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  7. Ouch! Bitter? Just a bit... Like you say, if you don't like it, don't read it! Thanks for standing up for us!

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    1. You're welcome - I'm a mummy blogger and proud of it! x

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  8. OK, so Im not a mum, but my sister is and we run a business together and we deal with a lot of mothers, so me personally , I go on a number of blogs which I enjoy reading. I read them because its interesting to see another persons perspective and I one day hope to become a mother myself.
    But seriously we could say that she maybe slightly bitter.However, I do see a point she made whereby other non mummy bloggers are excluded...but isnt that due to interest ? and Personal choice? Perhaps she wants us to be more unified as women, but its a bit contradictory if shes slating other mothers who blog x

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    1. Thank you for your comment - really valid points! I posted about it as someone I know had read it and shared it as they thought it was funny, but I couldn't really see the point she was trying to make.

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