Working It: Moms Blog About Work-Life Choices

"I recently committed an atrocious act for a new journalism school grad such as myself. I took myself out of the running for, what on paper, was an ideal job," writes Meri Perra in a Queer as Moms blog post at Bunch Family. 

I found out about this post when Perra sent me a tweet, thanking me for some wisdom I had unknowingly offered her via a column I wrote a few weeks ago for The Toronto Star. (If you read Perra's blog post, this will all make sense.)

When I read Perra's post, about her work-life conflicts, I realized that very little has changed in the 22 years since I first became a mom. In the majority of cases, the workplace still completes with the family for the worker's time and and thought space, in much the same way that a jealous lover wants to be the sole focus of attention. The only thing that's different these days is that both moms and dads are equally likely to be subjected to the work-home tug-of-war -- and to be penalized, career-wise, for putting family first.

Yes, there are some very enlightened companies that are doing things right by making family-friendly policies a priority, and they deserved to be rewarded with our business. Unfortunately, those companies are the exception rather than the rule.

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Just as I was about to wrap up this post, I came across another powerful post on the work-life theme -- this one by mom-entrepreneur Alexandria Durrell (a.k.a. Clippo). She talks about how her home-based business almost got away on her (success isn't always everything it's cracked up to be) until she decided to rein things in. The net result? She's turned it into a win-win for her family and her customers.

Why Moms Blog

If you've ever wondered why mothers read blogs, you need only read a post like this to find out for yourself.

The post (from the blog Attack of the Redneck Mommy) is written with a rawness and passion that demands your attention. I dare you to even try to walk away from your computer halfway through the post (or the post that it links back to, which is just as powerful and evocative).

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Every mother has a story to tell. And every blog has the potential to form a community around itself -- a community made up of readers who want to learn more about the blogger's experiences.

Blogging is like opening up your living room to a group of friends, staying up late, talking until all hours -- and then, the next night, hopping over to another friend's blog (or virtual living room) to continue the conversation.

There's a certain amount of etiquette involved in blogging, with the rules of what's acceptable and what's not acceptable varying from blog to blog. (Just as some friends couldn't care less if you remember to bring a dessert to book club, while others are unspeakably offended, some friends couldn't care less if you comment on their blogs, while others are miffed if you pass through without ever adding to the conversation.) Yes, it can get complicated. Choose your blog travelling companions wisely.

But (minor politics aside), blogs allow mothers to speak their minds on issues both personal and political and to find community, both locally and globally. They can be a powerful force for change, both within the woman herself and in the world she is creating for her family.

I'm happy to be back to blogging again. (I've been blogging here for about six weeks and the blog is starting to find its voice. I always find it takes a bit of time for that to happen.)

I look forward to carrying on many conversations here with blogging friends new and old.

Canadian Family's List of Must-Read Mom Blogs, Plus A Few Picks of My Own

Canadian Family just did me a huge favour. They just published a list of 18 must-read blogs written by moms. Their picks include a mix of high profile and not-so-well known bloggers and some I hadn't heard of at all. 

As those of you who read my Facebook Page know, I am trying to add more pregnancy and parenting blogs to the blog list on this website and I've been asking people to recommend pregnancy and parenting blogs that they love. Thanks to Canadian Family, I've just found some fabulous new picks. And they've reminded me about some other blogs that should have been on my list all along.

I'm going to return the favour by highlighting a few other Canadian parenting blogs that are definitely worth checking out. (Yes, I've expanded the scope here a bit by including a dad blogger, too. That's because I can't imagine writing about parenting blogs without mentioning Curious Dad in Vancouver. His blog is one of the best parenting blogs anywhere.) 

Anyway, here goes (in no particular order) are 10 more blog Canadian parenting blog picks.

• Curious Dad
• Coffee and Commutes
• Julie Cole's Blog
• YoYo Diaries
• The Momoir Blog
• Where There's A Willer (or Four)
• Strocel.com
• Zoopolis
• LeftCoastMama
• Postcards from the Mothership

Note: Canadian Family was also kind enough to include an article I wrote for them a few years ago (about moms and blogging) in their moms and blogging article package. You can read it here.