Do you smell what the Babe is cooking? Well, do ya?
Today we launch a new feature, What’s Burning Wednesdays aka the WBW, where we get the BabeBQ ready and throw on some flaming commentary, sizzling gossip and cultural hot potatoes.
The WBW is not just for Babes but for anybody who cares to sound off in the comments or even with a guest blog (Tuesday night deadline). Whatever lights your fire, this is an open forum to rant or rave about it.
In this week’s WBW, we have a David and Goliath-style slinging match between the New York Times and the mummy blogosphere.
We took a break from scanning for dog shit on the pavements to glare across the pond at the shit-storm brewing over the NYT’s weekend Style piece about Bloggy Boot Camp, a conference for women.
It’s run by SITS, a sisterhood of bloggers that Babes about Town is proud to be a part of.
The article Honey, Don’t Bother Mommy. I’m Too Busy Building My Brand, didn’t win its author many fans amongst its core demographic (ironically, she admits halfway through that she’s a mum who blogs herself!).
Aside from the mocking title and slant of the piece – along with its even more provocative cartoon – I think what wounded most is the idea that we are somehow depriving our kids by pursuing this crazy, blogging thing.
It suggests that if you don’t spend every waking minute hooked up to the kiddies (now where did I put that umbilical cord?) then you are NOT MOTHERING RIGHT. And heaven forbid you should use blogging as a sideline to earn a little extra for you and your family.
This article generated a lot of heat and some excellent responses, my favourite by Mom 101.
I did leave a comment on the NY Times blog. But with our own UK conference Cybermummy coming up in July, it made me reflect on what kind of criticism the UK press will dish out and whether I should already start preparing my defence.
Here are a few things the NYT does not tell you:
1. Mommy bloggers is a catchy but limiting term. I prefer ‘parents who blog’, incorporating the diversity of bloggers ranging from dads to divorcees to dog-shit activists (ah, the shameless self-promos!).
2. Blogging for some is just a hobby, for most it’s a way to connect, for many it’s an avenue to showcase multiple talents (writing, editing, designing, marketing, crafting, photography, cooking, campaigning and more) outside parenting and to prove there’s more to us than just wiping noses and bums.
3. Blogging can open up new doors not just for parents but for our families through the meaningful connections we form and the platforms we create.
4. Blogging gives us a powerful, collective voice as mothers but it also allows for individuality, offering an alternative to the singular vision of mainstream parenting magazines.
5. Blogging parents are on the rise and we aren’t going anywhere. New York Times? We love you. But mama said knock you out!
Oh you so said it!! I read the article and while I could see that perhaps a few things were easily taken out of context, I didn’t feel the author did herself (or anyone else) many favors either. The title wasn’t at all flattering and set totally the wrong mood.
Years ago, many of us SAHM didn’t have an outlet…unless it was coffee at So and So’s house for the morning or selling Tupperwear (dude that shit is awesome btw). Blogging gives me personally a place to be just me, to write and get creative on so many levels. I love it. It keeps me sane. Alright screw it, it encourages my insanity and I like it!
Great post Uju! xx
LOL Tupperware is the shiznit! And your insanity keeps me sane, Mesina. Or at least it makes me LOOK a little saner. So I like to think ;-)
I read your comment on Motherlode and followed the link to your blog–to thank you for your comment and for adding a voice of reason to the debate. (I wanted to hit the little “recommend” button, but since I’m not registered with the NY Times, it wouldn’t let me.) Yours was the one comment that really seemed measured and well-thought out, and (what a relief!) non-judgemental. As a new, first-time mom (blogless,at least as of yet), I know I’m not the first to raise a child, but I sure feel that way sometimes. Thanks for pointing out that none of us are the *first* to become moms, but that we are all *new* to the whole phenomenon!
I am glad I read this post on time. I haven’t read the article on New York Times (I go there.)
I glad to know that In July there is a CyberMummy conference. I will make sure to attend one :)!
Hi Susan, thanks so much for coming by and also for your kind words. It was one of those pieces that stirs up a lot of debate, but some of the comments on NYT were out of hand. I’m glad you appreciated what I wrote – not always sure how much sense I’m making in between the sleepless nights! Hope you’re enjoying motherhood so far :-)
Hi MsBabyPlan, well I don’t want to prejudice you against the article before you read it – the title does that all for itself! Seriously though, keep an open mind as the piece is not all bad and I guess all the debate and spotlight on this community can only turn out to be a good thing in the long run. Maybe we’ll catch up at CyberMummy?
The thing that got me about the NYT article was not the story itself, but the headline. It was if the paper wanted to antagonize someone.
That’s right Melissa B, I guess they wanted to provoke a response…and they did!
This is an issue that intrigues me… I was a blogger for two years before I became a mommy. I wrote online for 10 years before that. At what point did I become a mommy blogger? When I started writing about my child too? It’s an interesting debate. Yeah, I’m not sure about the title ‘mommy blogger’. But I am looking forward to CyberMummy!
Hi Luschka, that’s the thing – these labels ‘mommy blogger’ and such don’t really reflect the full picture or diversity of voices out there. I’m really hoping i can make it to Cybermummy too!