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| Photo Source: Velveteen Mind |
When I first started blogging back in January I wasn’t really sure what the niche of my blog would be. I never really even thought about it. I initially wanted to just have a space that was mine – where i could write anything that came to mind. In 8 months it has evolved to a bit more then just that and I consider this blog to be under a few niches.
A term that I have come across in the past 8 months and have been “filed under” by the blogosphere is “ Mommy Blogger “.
Generally I don’t like to be labeled or typecasted but for some reason I am kind of on the fence about this term. I am conflicted – I both hate it and don’t mind it. Let me try to explain:
Yes I am a mom, yes I blog. I blog about motherhood, parenting, infant feeding choices, life changes , miscarriages and here I am blogging about Mommy Blogging. There are a whole slew of other bloggers who are mom’s who don’t mind being called Mommy Blogger and I love that I am considered in the same company. One of my favourites Loukia from Loulou’s Views has this to say:
I don’t hate the term mommy blogger because it is not offensive to me at all. I don’t call myself a mommy blogger – just a blogger - because I talk about a variety of topics on my blog, Loulou’s Views. I mostly talk about my children, though – and I am a mom who blogs, so if I were to be called a mommy blogger, I would not mind at all.
I think where my reservation about the term comes in is because “Mommy Blogger” doesn’t encompass all that I write about. I also write about gluten free living, celiac disease and share recipes that are gluten and casein free. My tag line (Gluten Free Attachment Parenting) sort of ties the two niches together and I guess I feel the term sort of limits my passion for the gluten free aspect of this blog.
Another one of my favourite bloggers is Lindsey from Waking Up Williams. When I asked her what she thout of the term here is what she said:
I don’t particularly care for the term Mommy Blogger for a variety of reasons. I did not start a blog to write about my “mommy” moments. Our family blog started to share my pregnancy with out of state family members. Then my husband jumped on board and decided he wanted to share his side of a soon to be father. It blossomed into so much more. I prefer the phrase: A mom who blogs, or just blogger. Because in reality I’m so much more than just a mom, or just a blogger. I think what bothers me most about the term mommy blogger is that it’s assumed by many that we don’t have two thoughts to rub together, or we’re an easy target for “free” advertising/giveaways/etc. We, as mommy’s, are smart individuals, who are good at other tasks. I have a Master’s Degree, I’m creative and a lover of animals. I had a career before becoming a full time stay at home mom. I’m ALSO a great mommy and wife and multi-tasker. I don’t want the term “mommy blogger” to be synonymous with pushover.
Lindsey basically summed up why I hate the term. I get a lot of useless PR pitches that will start the email off as “Dear Mom Blogger” asking for me to “let my readers know about their amazing product” and they will provide me a link back in return. Serious. When I reply back letting them know I don’t allow free advertising they have told me that they have successfully done this in the past with other “Mom Bloggers”. Sigh. That is a new rant really, but it’s like what Lindsey said, pushover is not something I want to be considered.
Just like with any other area of society – blogging also has its own hierarchy. I really noticed the hierarchy of blogging this past month when I was at BlogHer. You get the political bloggers looking down on the mommy bloggers who look down on the coupon bloggers who scoff at the foodie bloggers who also look down on the mommy bloggers and so on. Now, this is my own interpretation from some bloggers that I had conversations with and this is by NO MEANS what I personally think.
Well, if you are still with me — this is why I am so conflicted. I both love the term (for the company) but hate the term (for the assumptions on what it means). I think it is one of those things that I am just going to have to love and hate at the same time. I prefer not to be labeled but in this society people feel better having labels on people.
:: What are your thoughts? Do you hate being labeled? Is it possible to have a successful blog in a few niches? ::
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I love hearing from you! Leave a comment below ♥ Accustomed Chaos / Canada Gluten Free Examiner Email: accustomedchaos@gmail.com |
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{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
Great post, you know my thoughts. And regardless of others viewpoints I still dislike the term and will respect their opinions.
I guess I don't mind so much. It's true that it pigeon-holes you into a niche that maybe isn't what you're really all about. I found your blog when Kellymom linked your Moby review on fb and I was so excited to find out you were gluten-free too!
As for me, I did start my blog to get my "mommy thoughts" out. Beanie was 9mths old, the hubby was gone all the time and I was having a really difficult time. I find that as I evolve as a mom (and, of course, as a person who's not just a mom) my blog evolves too. So, while "mommy blogger" doesn't totally encompass what I blog about, it's probably pretty accurate.
Eh, I guess I'm with Loulou. I don't mind being called a mommy blogger, because I'm a mom who blogs on my mommy moments. So technically, the shoe fits. I mean, I also blog about other things – work life, marriage, crazy random moments in Target, but at the end of the day I started the blog because I wanted to connect with other mom's, so in that case, I don't mind it.
I recently went gluten free again (givingupgluten.wordpress.com). I like that term gluten free attachment parenting!
@somekindofmom
Thanks Vicky
I like it too so ive Trade Marked it 
Let me know if you have any GF questions!
I don't love the term for the connotation, but unfortunately I think it's here to stay–it's the "easiest" way to categorize a large group of us bloggers, whether it's entirely accurate or not.
That being said, it's one thing for outsiders (marketers, PR folks, the media) to look down on us for the term–but can we stop looking down on each other for it? That's what really bugs me, is the disdain within the community.
But that's a rant for another day.
I don't mind being called a "mommy blogger". Although I blog about a lot more than mommy stuff. I blog about family, parenting, women's issues, and seek to encourage and inspire other mothers & women in general. Blogging has connected me with so many amazing mothers who blog and I am honored to be one of them – a mommy blogger.
I think you are so right on this: "You get the political bloggers looking down on the mommy bloggers who look down on the coupon bloggers who scoff at the foodie bloggers who also look down on the mommy bloggers and so on." Weird how even in cyberworld we have to "clan"…I don't even know what category I'd fit in. I'm like a mommy-beauty-sell-out blogger. NO one wants to be in my clique. HA!
First, I had no idea you had only been blogging since January. You seem light years ahead of me…I am jealous that you have it so together!
Second, I agree with the majority here. I don't mind the term "mommy blogger", but worry that there is a negative connotation to it. I am thinking we need to coin a new term…maybe we can just tweak the term and make it: "Momma Blogger" or Mum Blogger". Although that doesn't really seem that different. So that got me thinking about all the dads that blog. What are they called? Maybe we can combine everyone and call ourselves "Parent Bloggers"? Is that too simplistic? I think you have started a good conversation. I look forward to seeing what other people think.
Mommy C, I think you're on to something with the Parent Blogger. My husband and I blog together and our site is about "waking up Williams"….it's about life and family, amongst other things. I believe we DO have a negative connotation or "dumb", "stupid" tattooed on our foreheads when we get email pitches. Either way, I do not call myself that and try not to call other moms "mommy bloggers" even if they're ok with it and call themselves that.
I started out blogging about Celiac disease and living gluten free and became "Aunt Jayne" "glutenfreeblog"ger
I also blog about diabetes and allergies of all kinds.
I like being "Aunt Jayne" but I don't really want to be stuck with one title. I, too and torn.
By the way, I love reading your posts ♥
I agree with you I'm on the fence. While I don't mind being called a mom blogger {because I'm a mom that blogs} I also write about other issues besides parenting. I guess this is something we will have to constantly deal with. I don't like how people look at you and say, "Oh you are a mom blogger" because most of us have different niches besides parenting. Great discussion!
I don't mind being called a mommy blogger but what I do mind is when people act like blogging is a waste of time. I've actually had someone say to me, "Four years of college and a bachelors degree and your blogging", after I tried to explain how much I love it and all the opportunities it could possibly bring. HOW RUDE! The amazing people I've "met" since starting my blog has been amazing and I feel fortunate to be sharing my stories and hearing others.
Carly
I don't mind being called a mommy blogger, but I would mind people thinking less of me because I was. I feel like you can totally be a sucessful blogger and fit into a few different niches! I think it is silly for anyone to look down on any type of blogger, why is one better then the other? What really matters is that you enjoy what you do! And to heck with what other people think!
The term Mommy Blogger is tricky. I too both love and hate it.
I actually had a post on a similar topic in the works… in the works meaning in my head.. I have to remember to write it.
This is a good debate. I'm not crazy about the term. The word mommy sounds immature to me, which I think leads to dismissal. But mom's who blog are a huge force. There is great support and friendship maybe the name isn't the priority.
As long as everyone can get along – regardless of what they call themselves while blogging – I'm happy!
Great post.