Since I’ve started blogging and working on my book in earnest I’ve been researching a lot of different writing styles and blogs, and here’s what I’ve found. In the quest to be “different” or have an element that sets them apart from others, blog mom’s are going way out on a limb and getting extreme. Shocked? I didn’t think so. And yeah, I get it. They want to find something that interests people, that makes them want to read their stuff. And I do too. I write a lot about adoption, which is something that not everyone relates to, but that those who do are passionate about. So yes, I really do get it.
The part I struggle with is the blogs and websites that are dedicated to making those of us “normal” moms feel less than perfect. Less than adequate even at times. Where is the mom who just lives? Who thinks about working out and exercising a whole lot more than she actually does. Who tries to feed her family balanced meals, but who still serves meat and potatoes and canned veggies (and even MickeyDs sometimes!) for dinner and lunch meat or PB&J for lunch. Who makes sure her kids get some physical activity every day, and who monitors the electronics, but wants to let the kids just be kids too. I’m looking for the mom who will attempt to do a craft or two occasionally, but who doesn’t have to reign Pinterest project queen supreme. The mom who enjoys baking, but Nestle Tollhouse chocolate chip cookies made with the recipe on the bag are the cookie of choice. Oh, and this mom uses real, regular sugar and butter and brown sugar. And guess what? She’s not obese, she’s not lazy, she’s not unhealthy, or an unfit mom. She’s just a wife and a mom living her best life.
The other style I’ve taken a bit of a disliking to are the “real” women who go on and on about their love for booze. “I don’t go to play dates unless wine is served.” Or the ones who display their potty mouth with pride for all the world to read, with their “I don’t care what you think of me” attitude, that means I really do care, but since I don’t think I’m good enough I’ll run with my imperfections. Or the doom and gloom, life is so rough but I’m just getting by and that’s the best you can expect of me. No way! Life can be tough, but please have higher expectations of me than just being, than just getting by. Because I know I deserve better, my family deserves better, and I can do more!
Let me reiterate, I do somewhat get it. I really do. Some of these sites have a huge following, me being one of those followers, because I like some of the stuff I see. And I do relate sometimes to the things they’re saying. And sometimes they are just entertaining. But for me, I think I’ll just try to be the middle of the road and be myself. Which may or may not get me readers. It may or may not spark interest. But it will definitely help me say what I think, what I feel, and what I want to share. I know many of my friends and family can and will relate to my family daily life antics. And hopefully all will see that a divorced, newly remarried adoptive mom to one and step mom to two who shares her stories can just live a normal life like regular people (I think what I’m trying to say here is despite where we’ve been in life, we’re all just regular people). Hopefully I will help those who have been through trials (umm…that’s absolutely everyone!), no matter how big or small, see that you will survive, you can come out on top, and you can just live and be you!
I Just Wanna Be Me!
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