Honestly, I am getting a little sick and tired of the one-sided argument about mommybloggers. You know the one that goes something like "we are just exploiting are children for a quick buck." I'm sick of having to explain or justify why I blog.
While I may get classified as a "mommyblogger," this blog isn't any more about being a mommy than it is about everything else about me. The blog is just about me. There is a ton that I do not share. For one, at her request my mother is off limits. Secondly, I do think that Neville would skin me alive for some of my posts about our relationship or showing pictures of Darius. I'm still figuring out where the boundaries are for me. I've made decisions to not share initimate details of any of my relationships. I admire bloggers who can write openly about any topic. But I want to preserve my relationships with my family. Writing about my loving but dysfunctional extended family would only cause a rift - and I'm not willing to sacrifice my human relationships for a larger audience online.
That said, I like writing online. I like getting feedback. I love the connections and friendships that I have made. I can honestly say that my life is better for blogging. Will it last? Will I continue to blog when my son is a teenager? I don't know. Hell, I can barely keep pace with what's for dinner tonight. How could I ever look that far into the future and know what I'll do?
As for the money piece, puh-leeze. Very few women are making a substantial living on blogging. Very few. I have no problems admitting that I make money on blogging. It's not a lot and not with this site. If I'm lucky I'll make a $100 this year in ad revenue from this little blog which won't even cover the cost of my domain and my typepad fees. However, this blog has launched other freelance writing opportunities. How much do I make with freelance? Let's just say it covers our monthly trip to Costco. Considering the amount of time I put into writing compared to the money I'll make for it, I'm making WAY below minimum wage on my writing.
I'm hardly pimping out my son for money. I will never make in blogging what I make in the high-tech industry in Silicon Valley. That is not my expectation. I find it exciting, and totally validating, that blogging can launch other opportunities. Will I ever ditch my high-paid corporate gig? Who knows. I doubt it. I'm certainly not holding my breath for a million dollar book deal or my life written as a Lifetime Movie.
And for all you haters that think us "breeders" should stop making any profit from writing about motherhood. I've only got one word for you.
Jealous?
