Light bulb off for Easy Bake oven in 2011?

My daughter got an Easy Bake Oven this past Christmas from Santa.  She absolutely loves it, and has already made me a "birthday cake" and many other goodies with it.  We got it for her because I remember the fun I had with my own Easy Bake Oven as a child!  Of course, mine wasn't as sleek and modern looking as this one is, but then again, that was the 90's! ;) 

Read More

AWESOME iPhone App: Mercury Browser

I love searching for apps for my iPhone and absolutely love to search for apps that make my life and business easier.  While browsing through the app store, I found something called Mercury Browser.  

The icon looked eerily the same as FireFox, but I thought to try it anyway.  I've tried numerous browsers for my iPhone and Droid and found nothing that really worked as well as I hoped it would work.  When I am doing something for my blog or for work, I need the data fast and a lot of browsers don't load as fast as I would like.  

Read More

Stay-at-home moms are lazy?

While at work (haha) I was browsing through some blogs and saw this post by http://herbadmother.com/2011/02/they-said-shut-up/.  She brings up some valid points that I have thought about many times before.  There are so many people who frown upon being a stay-at-home mom.  Trust me, I have been in the middle of that argument before.  When my oldest was born I had been thinking about being a stay at home mom for as long as I possibly could.  I was criticized and put down about spending time with my daughter (how dare I!!) from many colleagues, friends and even family members.  I was told that with my smarts and my education, why am I going to waste my talents being a stay-at-home mom?  

Read More

Expulsion, Termination and Compensated Blogging

Occasionally, mommy bloggers will get a bad rap for many reasons.  Some say we are too demanding, others say we should not get paid for our hobby and some even say that we neglect our children in order to either get good "material" for our blog or to spend hours on our blog.  None of which is true!  There are also mommy bloggers getting fired from their jobs or even children getting expelled from school because of innocent things bloggers are saying.  Is this a reasonable reason for expulsion or to be let go from your job?  Not unless the things being said are damaging to the children involved or something fiercely damaging to the job or employer. With some of the stories I'm hearing, parents are being penalized for writing such innocent stories about their children, about school functions or even a simple statement about their job.  To me, it's absolutely absurd!  True, there are some people who do not understand blogging or even the internet, but they are making rash decisions without even consulting with the parents or employee.  There was one story I recently heard, where a pre-school aged child was expelled for her mother venting about an ordeal she had gone through at her daughter's school.  The mother wrote nothing damaging and she did not name any names or specific places.  Blogging is for venting and is an outlet for emotion and writing how you feel.  Just as an artist paints or a musician sings or composes music.  If we can't write about how we feel and if we can't let our emotions out through our writings on our personal domains, how can we do it? 

 

Read More

Are parents more cruel than their children?

I recently read this blog about a little 5 year old boy wanting to dress as Daphne from Scooby Doo for Halloween.  His mom did allow it and he looked so adorable in the costume, however the little boy was very scared to go to school with the costume because he felt he would be bullied by his classmates.  The blog goes on to say how his mother encouraged him to go because on Halloween you can be anyone you wish to be.  The kids seemed to have no problem with it but the parents ridiculed him and his mother.

Many children are cruel and abusive to others, but some parents are worse.  I do strongly believe that kids can be whatever they would like to be for Halloween and that has no impact on who they are.  Just because this little boy wanted to be one of his favorite characters doesn't mean he's gay or setting a bad example for the other children.  If my daughter wanted to be Superman or if she wanted to be Spiderman, would that be a problem? Would I be ridiculed for letting her dress as a male character?  Definitely not.  That is a double standard.  It's just not right. 

Those parents should be the ones to blame when a child turns into a bully in the future.  They are the ones setting the bad example for their kid by criticizing a mother for letting her son dress up for Halloween.  I don't believe this mother should have told him no at all.  This is a 5 year old little boy.  At that age, they don't know the difference between gay and straight.  Kids have active imaginations and will like what they like.  Children do not understand stereotypes at that age and I don't think the other children would have had a problem with it; just their mothers.

I give the little boy's mom a lot of credit for being so calm when she was getting attacked by the other mom's for letting her son dress the way he did for the Holiday.  I would have went off on all of those parents because, how dare they tell another mother how to parent or dress her son?!  I actually feel sorry for those parents who ridiculed her because they are so closed minded.  I feel bad for their children as well because they probably won't grow up to be open to all types of people.  I just hope they don't become bullies who bruise other people's self confidence...

Halloween is made for children to use their imaginations and step out of themselves for the time being.  Children can be whatever they desire and that is the fun of that Holiday.

What do you think of this matter?

Read More

Popular Mommy Bloggers: What makes them different?

I love reading other blogs and Heather was one of the first blogs that actually inspired me to write more about my kids, my life and to become a mommy blogger.   However, I think about some of these other mommy bloggers that are considered among the most popular of the "mommy bloggerdom" (Yes, I made up a new word.  It's cool dammit!!) and I wonder just why they're so popular.  Don't get me wrong, I love some of these very popular mommy bloggers, I love to read their blogs and follow them daily, but what makes them any different than the rest of us?  They have good designs, but so do a lot of other blogs, some of the little known ones.  Sure they write well, but other blogs do as well.  Some of these very popular blogs haven't been around for too long -- how do they skyrocket to bloggy fame?  

If I said I didn't want to be amongst them, I'd be lying.  Just like in any hobby or occupation, you want to be one of the top.  Of course, being popular isn't what blogging is all about.  

I write because I love to.

I write because I have the inspiration and love the outlet.

I write because I love to share things with others. 

If no one followed my blog, I probably would still write because it's like therapy for me, but of course you want people to read and acknowledge your hard work.  Most bloggers spend a good amount of their free time (and kids naptimes!) working on their blogs, writing posts and doing what they love. In my experience, blogs can take anywhere from 20 minutes to a few hours to write well.  (And that is with much proofreading and revisions too!!)  I'm probably just rambling on and on, but I've been thinking about this a lot lately.

No way am I even near the ranks of those popular mom bloggers, but I was thinking about and trying to analyze just why they were so popular.  I found a post somewhere on the internet with the ranking of the top mommy bloggers and went through the sites trying to compare and contrast.  Of course, I did see some vast differences from smaller known blogs, but nothing that they couldn't improve on.  Basically, these are the things I have found:

Regular Blog Posts - You don't have to blog daily, but blogging 2-3 times a week to keep your readers interested and engaged is a very important thing.  It's important if you're one of the more popular bloggers or just a little blog starting up.  You want to have something to grip your readers and pull them in.  Posting about your day, your newest recipe and pictures of your totally adorable food covered child is good in moderation, but you also have to have posts to make people think or to start a conversation.  Investing time into your writing whether it's during naptime or well into the night is important.  Not all the time, but whenever you have the inspiration.

I have a notebook near my bed and a small notebook in my purse.  (I also use my phone's memo pad sometimes) When I have inspiration, I write down a topic in those notebooks.  Sometimes, in the notebook near my bed, I'll just write out an entire post.  This happens a lot if I wake up in the middle of the night and just think of something. (And I'm too lazy to actually get up and write it on my computer.)  There are days I just sit down and write saved drafts of all the posts I write in my notebook.  It makes it so much easier for me to just schedule a post when I have a block.  Though, I've been writing for many years and I really have bursts of inspiration at the most random moments.  I would suggest this to anyone who may be the same way. 

Networking - I'm not going to say spam other blogs with comments such as "follow meeeeeee!!!!" ha!  That's just wrong and it won't get ANY blogger to like you. :)  They may actually 'blacklist' you if you do that. ;)  I'm saying that if you read other blogs and like a post, comment and tell them how ingenious it was, or share your thoughts on the blog, share your opinions.  Bloggers put themselves out there and almost always love to hear your constructive criticism or opinions on what they're writing.  Feedback is good.  Who knows, that blogger may actually like to visit blogs that comment on theirs and they may like yours as well.  From there maybe they would share a post, tweet a post, facebook a post or add you to their blogroll.  From there it's like a domino effect.  I always love to visit blogs on another blog I like.  I'm one who checks their blogroll to see if I can find new and great blogs to read.  Networking is a huge part as well.  

I know there are people who think that PR and "giveaways" is a way to gain popularity and I guess in a way it can be... but I don't think that's anything to really focus on.  For myself, I do giveaways and reviews because if a company contacts me and I like what they have to offer, I take them up on it.  I find it as an honor to review and promote their products or services.  Of course giveaways do gain attention through word of mouth, but in order to KEEP those readers, you have to have something of substance on your blog.

Honestly, I think this is just the beginning for the Mommy Blogger world.  There are so many more companies and media outlets that are just getting wind of this.  There are companies and media outlets that are realizing just how effective mommy blogging is and how good of a promotional tool it is as well.  As I may be contradicting myself now, I feel that there will be a huge climax for mommy blogging and a lot more attention in the future.  Of course, it's really luck and being in the right place at the right time to even get noticed by any of these outlets, but who knows.  Maybe one of the underdogs will get recognition!  

Remember -- While there are bloggers who make a living off their blogs (few and far between!!) most bloggers do it because they love to.  I write because I love to.  It's a hobby, not a career.  Who knows what the future will hold, but for right now we have to keep on doing what we love.  Keep on writing, Keep on networking and keep on promoting ourselves. 

Read More

Caillou, that bald 5 year old!

My 2½ year old is OBSESSED with Caillou and don't get me wrong, I like the show too!  She carries around her little Caillou doll and story book everywhere! (And I mean everywhere.)  She has actually been begging me to get her a Caillou DVD but I can't seem to find a decent priced one, haha. But I digress...  My 4½ year old asked me tonight the apparently very  popular question, "Mommy, why is Caillou bald if he is 5 years old."  I've been wondering it for a while, but never really cared too much to find out.  I'd usually forget about the question soon after I thought of it.  Tonight, since Alayna asked, I decided to do a google search.  I was surprised to see just how many people wondered the same thing and actually asked about it on many different sites!!  Of course, many sites were just people bashing on the poor bald 4 year old, but I actually found a pretty good answer from this site. (Which actually covers a few questions about Caillou.) As well as answers the question, why is Caillou bald. This is the answer the publishing company gives:

Caillou stands for all children. He doesn't have curly blond hair, a carrot-top, brown hair, glasses, or ethnic features, because he represents all children. We wanted to make Caillou universal so every child could identify with him. And they do! Caillou's baldness may make him different, but we hope it's helping children understand that being different isn't just okay, it's normal.

I think that is a great answer and think it's a great concept as well. There are many kids who are different in many ways.  Appearance wise, we may be black, white, aisan or hispanic.  Some kids might have blonde hair, black hair, brown hair or red hair.  Eye color is different.  There may be tall kids, short kids, chubby kids, skinny kids and so on.  It's great for children to have a positive role model teaching them that being different is OK and it's what makes us an individual.  Especially in a world where kids grow up to be very critical teens who may bully or gang up on someone who is different, it's very imperative that kids learn at a young age that no one is the same as another.  Hell, I was made fun of growing up for being the chubby, geeky kid with glasses and not so hip clothes.  I wouldn't want my kids growing up being bullied or being the one who bullies others.  

Caillou also has many different friends, an African American friend, an Indian friend (what's the correct terminology for that?)  A hispanic friend, an Asian friend...  Caillou is open to having friends from every race and ethnicity.  Again, a very positive message to children.  I grew up in a very racist family and I remember having many fights with my family about those who were different.  I'm a very open minded individual and never believed in racism, as they did.  (To show you how racist they were, I dated a hispanic/italian guy in High School and one day when he came to my house with flowers and I wasn't home, they chased him away and threatened him to never come back to my home... Which ruined that relationship and hurt me very badly.)  I want to raise my girls with an open mind to be accepting to everyone, and that's just what I am doing.  Caillou helps a lot.  

So that little bald headed 5 year old, as odd as it may seem, actually is a great message to all children.  Parents seem to have a very varying opinion of him and the show itself, but mine is a very positive one. 

What do you and your children think of Caillou?

Read More

The search is on for a cute purse...

I love those commercials, but it's true in this case!  I've decided to ask you guys your opinion on my new purse.  I've been using this XOXO one I got at a garage sale for very cheap and I've been using it on and off for over a year now.  Unfortunately, the other day the lining began to rip.  My grandma, who usually fixes things for me, told me that it's not worth trying to fix it because it's practically torn to shreds inside.  I decided to retire this one to the garbage and find a new purse.

Now, I'm a purse addict.  When some people can just go into a store and pick just ANY purse, I'm one of those people who really agonizes over what to get. Whenever I retire an older purse and get a newer one, I have a big specific picture of what I want in a new purse.  I very rarely do stray away from the image in my mind.  This time, I found a few that actually match what I'm looking for.  

Which one would you get?

1.  ^  I would get it in Pink.  It's an Ed Hardy.

2. ^ It's a Steve Madden

3. Betseyville 

4. Coach

Thanks guys :)  I appreciate your input!!

Read More

Don't bother mommy...

 Photo credit by seo.com

When I found this article today (Honey, Don’t Bother Mommy. I’m Too Busy Building My Brand) I thought maybe I was the only one very offended by the title.  Thank God, I'm not.  Blair (Of Heir to Blair) feels exactly the same way that I do.  The title is very degrading and very misleading.  I guess it's also stereotypical.  There are many people, obviously, who think that Mommy Bloggers sit glued to their computers night and day shooting e-mails to companies, commenting on other blogs, waiting for comments on theirs, twittering, facebooking, etc...  Those same people probably also think that we dessert our kids while sitting there at the computer going about our bloggy business.  That is very untrue about most of us. (I will not speak for all, because I don't know what others do.)  

Honey, don't bother mommy. I'm too busy building my brand... I guess this author, Jennifer Mendelson, feels that we mommy bloggers sit on our lazy butts all day while our husbands, boyfriends or wait...even better....nannies watch our kids.  (What a laugh!! And like we can afford nannies!)  The way she puts it actually makes it sound like we're self centered little bitches to our children.  As if our blogs and building our readership are SO much more important than our own flesh and blood...

Personally, I have two kids.  I have a 2 and a 4 year old.  They are my life first and foremost.  I put my children before my blog and before my internet life at all times.  I mostly go online before they wake up, if they're napping and when they go to bed.  If they wake up while I'm blogging, of course I'll put that on the backburner and go to my children.  They know that if I am on my computer, they can always come to me and I will always stop what I am doing and help them.  Especially being a single mommy blogger, sometimes we get even more of a bad rap than the married mommy bloggers.  I have been asked (by offline friends!) what my kids do when I'm blogging and on the computer.  They just assume that I am always on there.   

(Not stated in this article, but still something that bothers me) I have read many a time that mommy bloggers get the benefit of sitting in front of their computers all day and writing about their children's boogers, diaper changes and "whoring" themselves to companies for compensation and sponsorship... Yes, I have heard that from people that are unknowledgable about mommy blogging and read it as well.  That couldn't be farther from the truth.  Compensation? Ha!  Like I'm making a living and can support my family off my blog.  It would be nice, maybe a dream someday, but not reality.

Even though we face the criticism for what we do, we take lemons and make them into lemonade.  We fly our mommy blogger titles proudly, at least I know I do!  A lot of what that article says is true because mommy bloggers are very devoted to what they do, it is just the title that is misleading and very very offensive.  As some mommies do make  money off their blog and are able to quit their day jobs, (I'm not naming names) most mommy bloggers just have their sites as a hobby.  Of course we take it seriously, even though it is a hobby.  

I would love to attend a Bloggy Bootcamp session one day -- But I digress!! 

(Rock on SITS!! I'm a proud SITS girl. :)

Read More