Mommy Bloggers: Refreshing Faces in Social Media

I'm not a mom, and I don't plan on being one any time soon (sign of the cross, salt over shoulder, knock on wood). But I have a confession: I LOVE mommy bloggers. Why? Well, first of all, babies are just plain adorable. How can I complain about an upcoming an exam or a sentence I can't get to flow rather than stumble when a cute baby with a big ladybug headband is smiling at me? Secondly, these women are so funny. And insanely smart and well-spoken. Well, the ones I read, anyway. As the daughter of a mother who can't figure out right-clicking or word processing, I am very impressed with any mom who has succesfully navigated and coded her way through the blogosphere.

But the thing I like about them most is that they have found a way to use social media, that doesn't just regurgitate (I witheld saying "vomit" there - oh, oops) talking about social media. Blogging, Twittering, and the likes of Facebooking (for more than posting pictures of your best keg stands - pssst: remove those) are generally moving toward becoming more mainstream, but the people who really make them work to their fullest potentional are those early adopters fascinated by social media in the first place. And hence - writing and tweeting about what interests them - end up analyzing, critiquing, posting news about, and re-analyzing social media.

Because of this, social media has not reached it's true value yet. Using social media to talk about social media is, well, kind of pointless in the long run. If the medium doesn't exist outside itself, than is it really as potent or valuable as it seems?

Well, the answer appears to be yes, and the proof is in mom bloggers. Moms all over the world are telling their stories while connecting with those like them - or those interested in them, like me. They're using social media successfully without talking about social media! And are damn entertaining.

Here are my faves (all found from Momversation, which I also love, and is a really interesting and innovative use of video and bloggers that I've yet to see elsewhere).

Dooce

As one of the most successful personal bloggers in the nation, everyone knows Dooce (or rather, Heather B. Armstrong and her family). Aside from being easily attracted to the site's clean but fun design, great photo commentary, and neat "daily" items, Heather's commentary is bold and honest. But for as outspoken as she may be, her stories and problems are easily relateable to any mom - or anyone, really.

Girl's Gone Child

Firstly, this woman (Rebecca Woolf) has the most adorable baby girl ever. If that's not enough to keep you around (and, um, why not?), her writing is sharp, blunt, and cool, while still permeating her love for her kids.

Finslippy

Alice Bradley, may I bow down to you. This woman is the funny and clever I wish I was, but her writing has such an enjoyable ease to it. Plus, the insights of her young son will BLOW YOUR MIND, as they do mine. Alice, I'm pretty sure your son is a genius.