Mansfield Mothers’ Club: Parenting Blogroll

By Theresa Freeman

When I started “staying home” full-time with my kids, the inevitable questions started rolling in, “Why don’t you start a blog?,” good natured folks would ask sweetly.

<eye roll>

Take it from someone who worked in PR and lived to tell the tale, there are zillions of parenting or “mommy” blogs out there. Some sincere, some snarky and every shade in between. Recipes, activities, crafts, swearing, sentimental stories, you name it. For me personally, I don’t want to add my voice to the din. Even I get bored with stories about my kids day in and day out, and I am not as witty and biting as some of the hilariously truthful blogs already thriving out there.

I am, however, and voracious reader. So, in my time “home” (notice the quotes) with my kids, I’ve beefed up my blogroll considerably. Here are some of the sites I check in with frequently so you can enjoy them, too, and also gain some insight, ideas and just plain companionship.

• Boston.com Moms: The bible of family-friendly activities in Eastern Mass., a collection of smart local parenting blogs and a lengthy blogroll that a treasure trove of local perspectives
• The New York Times’ Motherlode: These are the blog posts that get people talking on a national level. I often find I read a topic there and think, “Yes! That’s *so* and issue for me, and I never realized it,” or “Wow! I never realized someone went through this.”
• The Miami Herald’s Work/Life Balancing Act: Cindy Krischer Goodman’s balanced approached to many issues around being a parent in a full-time workplace.
• The Wall Street Journal’s The Juggle: Again, insightful, well-researched posts on a variety of topics around professional and home life and where they intersect. Usually quick reads that get you thinking.
• BlogHer Moms: Pick a mommy blog, any mommy blog. You want to read it, it’s here, by age (your child’s and yours) and topic.
• People I Want To Punch In the Throat: Do you have a sense of humor about this whole parenting shtick? Run, don’t walk to this blog, my friend. (And, if you haven’t been initiated, her Elf on the Shelf post is a modern day classic.)
• Scary Mommy: Not for the faint of heart. Her confessional quick-hits give me a sense of accomplishment about my own parenting skills.
• Mommyish: A mix of celeb baby gossip, fact-ish articles and opinions, but always entertaining.
• The Sandwich Lady: My dear friend Cathy Buday’s take on being a member of the “Sandwich Generation,” caring for kids and parents at the same time.
• The Beer Nut: You caught me, this is not remotely about parenting, it’s just written by my buddy Norm.

 

What are you favorite online reads for parenting topics?

Theresa Freeman is a member of The Mansfield Mothers' Club, a non-profit organization aimed at providing support for local parents. For more information visit http://mansfieldmothersclub.com, email mansfieldmothersclub@gmail.com or write to Mansfield Mothers' Club, P.O. Box 831, Mansfield, MA 02048.