TheMommyBlog

Friday, July 03, 2009 Family

I was just online (well, I’m still online), looking for more of these great tank tshirts for summer. I bought one from Garnet Hill some time ago, and now they are on sale (yay!) and only on every size but mine (boo!).

Logan said, “Buy the bigger one and gain weight.”

“Are you crazy? I just lost fourteen pounds. I’m not gaining it back. Or haven’t you noticed?”

“Of course! I totally noticed. You look so efficient!”

Friday, July 03, 2009 Family, Momversation

I am desolate I couldn’t be part of this momversation, but it probably spared the producers a lot of yammering, holding up crates, and gushing. On reflection, a wise choice. It was only when I started receiving books through this blog for review that I for the first time looked at my bookshelves in dismay and thought, “I haven’t read all of these. I’m NEGLECTING SOME OF MY BABIES.”

Maggie Mason wants to know, how have you found time to read again? And she asks the question that is one of the great conversation starters, “What 5 books changed your life?”. Join the Momversation by commentng in text or video and tell us the books that changed your life.

Panelists: Daphne Brogdon - Cool Mom Karen Walrond -Chookooloonks Maggie Mason - Mighty Girl Rebecca Woolf - Girl’s Gone Child

Wednesday, July 01, 2009 Family, Momversation

In which I actually say, “buttload of money.”

Guest contributor Kierna Mayo joins our Momversation with Alice Bradley who asks the question, Can giving an allowance be a bad thing?

Tuesday, June 30, 2009 Family, Momversation

Last week, Christine Beardsell interviewed Michael Wayne, CEO of digital entertainment company Deca, about his company’s recent partnership with Target and the launch of its online show Momversation.

This is it, people, this is why we’re here. I love all of you out there, keeping it real!

Michael Wayne: Online talent in some ways is the opposite of most film and TV talent. We look for people who are not acting but rather are representing themselves genuinely to an audience. Also, they allow online audiences to have real glimpses into their lives and connect with them directly almost on a daily basis.…

Christine Beardsell: You recently launched Momversation. Can you tell me how that project came to life and how Target got involved?

MW: We officially launched Momversation.com on November 12. We launched a mom-focused property about six months ago called “CoolMom” where Daphne Brogden, who is a talented comedian, TV host, and mother, gives daily humorous insights about motherhood through video and blogging.

CoolMom gave us a great window into the world of mom blogging. We began thinking: why not get a bunch of the more popular mom bloggers together and give them the opportunity to express their opinions and stories with each other through video? We decided it was a great format for us to pursue, and we began developing it.

We approached Target a few months ago with the idea. They liked the idea and the rest is history.

CB: Talk about the community and distribution strategy around Momversation.

MW: Momversation.com, like our other properties, is more than video. One of the more exciting parts of the site is that the online audience can continue the conversation through our Momversation Forums. We distribute the Momversation video content through our participating mom bloggers sites, through blog outreach, and through Yahoo Shine. The conversation continues in all of these places, not just on Momversation.

Monday, June 29, 2009 Family, Momversation

Now, THERE’S a Monday-morning face if I’ve ever seen one!

We’re delighted to be joined by single mom and blogger Alaina Sheer who wants to know, Can single moms be friends with married moms? Also weighing in is guest contributor Sarah Burns.

Panelists: Giyen Kim - Bacon Is My Enemy Mindy Roberts - The Mommy Blog

Friday, June 26, 2009 Family, Momversation

Yes, Please do tell.

We recently posted an episode on work-life balance which got a lot of comments from stay at home moms. They see a lot of attention focused on women who need to work outside the home while raising their kids. But, society sometimes raises an eybrow to the woman who stays at home to raise their children. To these women, being a mom is the most noble of professions even though they don’t get a paycheck to do it. One of those women is our Mom Memory Contest Winner, Cynthia Davis who asks the question, Why Isn’t Just Being a Mom Enough?

Wednesday, June 24, 2009 Family, Momversation

That depends on what your definition of “is” is.

Emotional Affairs is a hot topic these days. Are you cheating on your spouse if you’re sharing secrets with someone of the opposite sex online? This article on Redbook Online caught our eye.  What about catching up with an old boyfriend on Facebook or e-flirting with a co-worker? Daphne Brogdon from Cool Mom wants to know, Is An Emotional Affair Cheating?

Panelists: Daphne Brogdon - Cool Mom Maggie Mason - Mighty Girl Rebecca Woolf - Girl’s Gone Child

Monday, June 22, 2009 Bad Mood Dude, Family

Two, four, six, eight
Try not to hyperventilate!

Ten, twelve, fourteen, sixteen,
Health care system needs some fixing!

Eighteen, twenty, twenty-one, twenty-two
Lost my COBRA with Renkoo!

Twenty-four, twenty-six, twenty-eight, thirty
Medicaid forms make head hurty!

Thirty-two, thirty-four, thirty six, thirty-eight,
Would try HIPAA but it’s too late!

Forty, forty-two, forty-four, forty-six
Where’m I going to get my fix?

Forty-eight, fifty, fifty-two, fifty-four
When meds run out there’ll be no more!

Fifty-six, fifty-eight, sixty, sixty-two
I’ve got prescriptions, how ‘bout you?

Sixty-four, sixty-six, sixty-eight, seventy
Sing it with me: “Glad this isn’t me!”

Ahhhh, fuck. I can’t decide which to read up on first, HIPAA or MedicAid. I’m sure I qualify for both, but don’t think the government will move in time to provide coverage by July 1. Thanks again, Renkoo.com, for pulling the rug out from under us with your usuall fab timing.

Got to go tuck the kids in and console my eldest for not getting a chance to pitch for all-stars. I’d lend perspective but there’s a bit of a stretch between hard coaching decisions and seeing total disaster and forced life changes barreling down the tracks at you.

Monday, June 22, 2009 Family, Momversation

Actually, I’m the bad eater.

What kids eat early in life sets their eating habits for years to come. It’s up to parents help them establish a healthy lifestyle or not. Rebecca Woolf  wants to know: Are your kids poor eaters? Join the Momversation by commenting in text or video.

Panelists: Alice Bradley - Finslippy Dana Loesch - Mamalogues Giyen Kim - Bacon Is My Enemy Rebecca Woolf - Girl’s Gone Child

Saturday, June 20, 2009 Family, Momversation

For a special Father’s Day episode, all the DADS weigh in! Get ready for some serious hunkage. I’ve only had my arms around one of these guys but I aim to increase that number by this time next year. : )

Are Men Better Fathers Than Society Thinks?  A little while back, we had a blast when the some of the Men of Momversation came on to talk about what it was like being married to mom bloggers.  Since then, you have been asking us to bring on more men.  We thought, what better time than Fathers Day to do it again?

So we asked one of our favorite dad bloggers, Danny Evans from dadgonemad to do a “Dadversation” about how dads balance work and family, and the changing roles in parenting.  Joining Danny are Jon Armstrong, Heather’s husband from dooce, Marcus Jennings, Karen’s husband from chookooloonks, and Chris Loesch, Dana’s husband from mamalogues.

Friday, June 19, 2009 Bad Mood Dude, Family

Anyone remember the bizarre week in August 2007 when I was employed for one week by a psychotic duo in a Silicon Valley startup? Anyone?

Well, aside for the euphoria-induced Monday when I started at an amazing job with kickass salary, followed by a buzzing Tuesday, a busy Wednesday booking travel to represent them at a conference because I so fucking rocked, a Thursday when I started to get frosty treatment and hushed intimations that my initiation by hazing was in full swing followed swiftly by a Friday when I was called into the conference room and summarily fired, it was great. At least those five days made me eligible for COBRA! Woot!

Well, I received notice today that the company is ceasing operations and therefore all COBRA coverage will end as of June 30.

In eleven days.

Thursday, June 18, 2009 Family

Thank you, Rita, for the link. LOVED IT.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009 Bad Mood Dude, Family, Momversation

For fuck’s sake, let’s all take a breath here. I just came back from The Mama Bee, a site I enjoy and respect and will continue to admire for taking stands. I had to respond, though, if only to keep my own public perception from going down in flames. I left this comment:

The comments about shooting for the middle are not recommendations, they are what we tell ourselves to assuage some of the feeling of having failed to reach the pinnacle. No one would tell their children to be mediocre; but we tell ourselves sometimes that good enough is good enough.

I feel like I’m shouting from underwater: we are more representative than you think!

I am not a privileged, successful mom working from home by choice. I am screwed, basically, and I’m not complaining about “oh my life is so stressful with a spouse and luxury to stay home.” I’m unemployed, single, have three kids, and no child support. I’m in perpetual fear of losing my house. I used to be the ultimate WOHM making the big bucks and supporting my family, stay at home dad and all. Back then I could get insurance. Now I have bills in collections that would make your eyes bleed.

Working 14 hour days, six, seven days a week nearly caused a nervous breakdown. My husband left, I lost my job, had biopsies and lumpectomies, and then REALLY spiraled.

I have not “climbed to some form of “the top” and can now transition to a flexible or work from home arrangement.”

I’m drowning in disaster here. Because I don’t get that published on Momversation doesn’t make it any less true.

Why are women tearing each other down? We should all be grateful for what we have, do the best we can, and support each other. It’s not a contest. And it’s not a picnic. Some women have made it to the upper levels of Maslow’s pyramid, others of us just keep redecorating the basement. But it’s damn hard to put yourself out there only to be torn down and sneered at by the very women we want to reach, from whom we want to learn, with whom we want to thrive.

By the way, Momversation is my only paying gig, and it buys the food I put on the table. Literally. Please think and go easy.

If you would like us to offer suggestions, let us know. I lobbied for a Q&A feature. The conversations are supposed to be prompts for YOU to begin the real conversation. I certainly don’t feel rarified, but since I’ve been around forever I was an easy pick. We are constantly looking for more diversity in every sense, so PLEASE apply and get heard!

Wednesday, June 17, 2009 Family, Momversation

Is Your Mom Self Overtaking Your Sexual Self?

Women who’ve become mothers are juggling so many new things in their lives, that they sometimes supress that sexual side of themselves and elevate the mom side. Its not easy to find your groove again, but it certainly is necessary.  Daphne Brogdon asks the Momversation gals and you, “Is Your Mom Self Overtaking Your Sexual Self?”

Panelists: Asha Dornfest - Parent Hacks Daphne Brogdon - Cool Mom Giyen Kim - Bacon Is My Enemy Mindy Roberts - The Mommy Blog

Do You Keep a Gun in Your Home?

Do you own a gun?  Why or why not?  If you do, how do you protect your kids from your firearm?  Or do you think owning a gun sends the wrong message to your child?  Join the Momversation by taking our poll or speaking out in one of our related forums:

• Gun control: for or against?
• What items are verboten in your home?

Panelists: Dana Loesch - Mamalogues Karen Walrond -Chookooloonks Maggie Mason - Mighty Girl Rebecca Woolf - Girl’s Gone Child