Saturday, February 19, 2011

Why I Blog

The question has come up from friends and family, about why I decided to start a blog.  I am already five years into this thing called parenthood, so I kind of missed getting in on the ground floor of the whole mommy blog phenomenon. But I never really felt motivated to blog before.

I could say, that when I worked outside the home full time, I did not have time to blog.  But that would be untrue. I probably had more personal computer time then than I do now.

Part of it stems from the general amusement I get from being around my kids all day, every day. It's kind of like the amusement that you get when you ride the carousel. Looking at the carousel from afar, it is so beautiful; and it is cute to watch to the happy faces as they whirl by, but once you are on it, you feel like you are just going around in circles and you start to feel a little dizzy after a while.  The droning circus-like music suddenly seems like the soundtrack to a nightmare and you just cannot wait for the thing to stop so you can get off and walk in a straight line for a little while.

Okay, that is probably not why I blog.

You see, I talk to kids all day.  And not in the "I-talk-to-kids-all-day-but-I-can-chat-about-last-night's-episode-of Glee-with-grown-ups-over-my-multigrain-turkey-wrap-in-the-teacher's-lounge-at-lunchtime" kind of way. Depending on Sweet Hubby's schedule, I can literally go days without adult face-to-face conversation. Sure, I chat from time to time on the phone, but anyone whose has had the pleasure of conducting a phone call in the presence of small children knows that your discussion is punctuated by interruption after interruption to the point that it's just better to get off the phone and deal with whatever Barbie-in-crisis/building-block-demolition/juice-box-catastrophe needs your immediate and undivided attention.

So it comes as no surprise to me that 16 months, 26 days, 5 hours and 10 minutes into full-time professional mommy-at-home-hood, I feel the need to express myself in something other than uni-syllable words and references to myself in the third person.

I am neither a wordsmith nor a humorist. In fact, my own confidence in my comedic ability was shaken long ago, when my first real boyfriend told me that no joke I ever told was very funny.  Of course, I eventually dumped him and broke his heart. Who was laughing then, buddy?  I digress.

I have always enjoyed a little sarcastic exchange, and was known to let loose my inner wise-ass from time to time.

But guess what! Sarcasm is completely lost on little kids. For example:

Little Diva, in her infinite grace, trips and spills an entire bag of Pirate's Booty all over the kitchen floor.
Me:  Good one, dude! Just put that anywhere!!
Her: Really, mom?

By the time I was done explaining the subtle nuances of saying one thing when you mean another, to be funny, The Baby was furiously stuffing her face with organic cheese puffs, and Little Diva had climbed up on the counter to get herself a gummy vitamin to cure her clumsiness. That lesson was a bust.

So I guess I blog for the opportunity to use big words, and throw in a little sarcasm and self-deprication. It keeps my mind sharp, and according to a recent article in Health magazine, that's one way to increase longevity. Hopefully, it will also help me to record certain moments from my kids' childhoods, since I am quite sure I will have absolutely no recollection of them, in like, two weeks.

So to my fellow bloggers out there - why do you blog?

23 comments:

  1. Totally agree! Mine started as a way to kind of "scrapbook" without all of the paper snips everywhere. I quickly learned that I have made "friends" through the blog world and it is my way to actually communicate with someone over the age of 7 (now). Plus, I guess I'm kind of a voyeur(sp) and nosey. I like seeing what others are doing. LOL

    April@Party of Five

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  2. I have been a stay-at-home mom for 10 years now (kids are 15 & 13). Blogging was a great way to really use my brain a little. And, like you said, sarcasm and subtlety is lost on children.

    It was a little scary to put myself out there and let people judge what I think and write - but totally worth it.

    Hope you think so too. Enjoying reading what you write.

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  3. I blog because once upon a time I used to love to write, and over the years I got out of the habit. Now that I have a child, I have lots of material for blogging, including great stories about my son that I hope to collect into a book of memories one day.
    I'd also like to do some 'review' blogs for companies and make a little money so I can buy a new computer, but that's more like a side trip.

    Awesome blog!

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  4. I just started to blog. I'm having a lot of fun and learning a lot. I had wanted to start one at least 3 years ago, but never stopped to do it. Well, I just did it! I just started to do it. Quit the excuses. I come across so much interesting information, I thought it might be a way to share, and also just to journal this thing called life. I am a stay at home mom of one and soon to be more with foster children. I found you at Say Hi Sunday blog hop and am now following you. Your post made me laugh, thanks! Stop by some time.

    Jacqui
    http:/www.homesteadbountyblessings.com

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  5. I blog to tell my story. With two under two, both with special needs, I want to be my children's biggest advocate. Plus, there is always some tidbit to share and it is like an online journal of sorts.

    Thanks for linking up with Say Hi Sunday. Following through GFC. Please follow back at www.mommyheadadventures.com

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  6. I blog to get things off of my chest. I have been chronicling my daughter's story for years now, but felt limited in what I can say about me and my feelings on her medical blog. Yet, the writing is very cathartic for me. So, I started my own blog a couple of weeks ago (as you know as one of my only readers). While I can easily get adult conversation if I need to when I am at work, I don't ever get to have the conversations I want. I have been searching for other like-minded people for a dialogue and blogging at least gets my point of view out there. It also allows some of those thoughts swirling in my brain at night to escape, so maybe I can sleep.

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  7. New follower here! I too am a stay at home mom for the past 9 years. Now with my youngest in kindergarten I decided to start blogging. I wish I had started sooner! It has been great finding so many people that can relate to my everyday crazy house hold!!

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  8. I blog to reflect on my grandchildren.
    New follower from Say Hi Sunday blog Hop.
    Hope you have time to follow back.
    http://grandmabonniescloset.blogspot.com

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  9. I'm a new follower and love your blog! I blog because at the end of each frenetic day, I find myself sitting somewhere in my wrecked house, feeling dazed and confused and I think, "What just happened here?" Putting it into words helps me somehow. It gives me a new perspective.

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  10. Now that I've been blogging for almost I year, I've decided blog because it gives me a chance to get down some thoughts and record some things that won't get written anywhere else. I've decided to do a Blurb book every year so that down the road my family can get a better picture of me and our lives together.

    I've also discovered that I love to write and have really missed it from my old pre-kid job.

    New follower
    http://trickynag.blogspot.com

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  11. Community and validation. It's a dirty secret, but it's true.

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  12. Hi, Sarah. I blog to get my thoughts and feeling out in the open and to hear what others have to say. Thanks for participating in the Monday Mingle at ToughCookieMommy.com and for following. I look forward to seeing you back every Monday. I'm now following you. Make sure you enter my current giveaway. I will be choosing 3 winners to receive coupons for full sized bottles of Purex Complete Crystals Softener.

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  13. I blog to grieve (loss of child)
    to speak about what others (family) don't care to listen about
    & hopefully to make some money very soon.

    I found you through the Monday blog hop. I`m your newest follower.

    http://ohmommymoon.blogspot.com

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  14. I just started blogging. I use to write...back in High School...so it's nice to be writing again. I've been a SAHM for 5 years now. I have 2 older kids in school and then 2 younger ones (2 years and 3 months) It's a great way for family and friends to know what is going on in my life, plus I love sharing. I've also found some really interesting blogs to follow.

    I'm a new follower from the mom's blog hop Monday.

    Lovin Life

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  15. I started blogging when my youngest was born with DS and I read other DS blogs for support and I thought I would like to do that, to support other. Guess what? I'm no good at that. But I do have four kids under the age of 7 that provide great comedic material and I actually good at writing it all down and conveying it. And really? I love it when people tell me they love my blog and when I find my button or link on people's sites as blogs they love/stalk. Yes, I blog for the happiness it brings me..and I love knowing that people leave my site laughing...

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  16. Ha ha ha! I know what you mean about having more "computer time" when you were working outside the home than you do now. If my son is home and I even turn one eye away from him he is tugging on my leg or destroying something, LOL! You have a nice blog. I found you through the blog hop :)
    www.TheMcMommyDiaries.blogspot.com

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  17. I think blogging is a wonderful past time, opportunity to meet so many interesting people. Life before children didn't exist for me!!

    Found you through Blog it forward Tuesday.
    CJ xx

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  18. Love the sarcasm! LOL!
    I blog as a way to share my
    love of cooking and cookbooks.
    I'm following from the blog hop.
    I'd love a follow back at www.mikaspantry.blogspot.com
    Thanks!
    Mika

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  19. I found you on the Tag Back Tuesdays. I am your newest GFC follower. If you could check out my blog and follow me back I would appreciate it. Thanks Amber
    http://dragonflysweetnest.blogspot.com/

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  20. Hey, i think you are pretty funny. ;)

    Now following from http://BabyDealsDujour.com/blog
    We track all of the daily baby deals and list them in real-time. Would love for you to stop by and follow back!

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  21. I blog as a way to remember the little things in life that go on day to day. I blog because I need adult interaction, because yes children just don't cut it. I hear you about not getting enough adult interaction. Winter I find is the hardest time of year, so blogging helps me with that.

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  22. I started blogging as a way to vent my frustrations or share my happiness at the end of a day with my kids. But after less than 2 months of blogging, my reason for doing so has changed. Now, I write for my husband. He reads all of my posts, and I think it helps him better understand my feelings and my parenting decisions.

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  23. ME TOO! Even though I'm back at work I spend many days working by myself only to get home to 2 tired and fussy kids (2 & 11 mos.) that I can only say one syllable words and even then they look at me like I'm crazy.

    Thanks for stopping by my blog. Can't wait to read more of your posts!

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