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.

They Don't Call Them Sweetmama For Nothing

The folks at Sweetmama.ca just said some very sweet things about me:

"Ann is the author behind the Mother of All series of parenting books and we follow her loyally around the interwebs. Not only does she have her own blog, but she has a column at the Toronto Star as well. She’s smart, she’s generous, and she doesn’t judge us for our parenting infractions."

It's a good thing I don't have my webcam activated right now or you would be able to see that I'm blushing.

Thank you for those very kind words, Sweetmama.ca. And for helping me find even more fabulous bloggers to add to my growing collection. (PS: I've been swapping picks with a few people over the past few days, so I'll be adding a lot more blogs over the next few days. Stay tuned.)

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.