More fabulous "Mommy Blogs"
Over the course of the past year at Care.com, and at the BlogHer conference I attended in July, I've had the fortune of meeting some of the most amazing "mom-trepreneurs." These women and their partners are making parenting issues and advice (and charities important to women and families) very Web2.0 through their blogs and web-based businesses. The media has sometimes trivialized this wave of "mommy blogs", but, to me especially, it makes perfect, logical sense that smart, web-savvy women would want to create online spaces where parents can share the advice normally given to family, friends, and coworkers with the rest of the world through the technological tools now available.
In the spirit of sharing, here are some of my favorite advice and product review mommy blogs:
Mamanista
Online since: 2007
Founders: Debbie and Candace
The Skinny:
Mamanista is a great product-review-driven blog for fashion-forward moms who don't have a lot of time to shop around for baby products, gear, and toys. Mamanista's writers review the latest products in their daily blog, and the founders work with retailers to provide regular, exclusive promotions like "deals of the day" and contests. Candace, one of the two founders, says, "[Our] tagline is 'fabulously chic, irresistibly practical' because we bring mothers the latest on the hippest products for baby and the best deals. Debbie and I both believe that you shouldn't have to spend a fortune to be fabulous." Guide-style posts Care.com parents might find useful include "Best Baby Board Books" (great for stocking up for bedtime and the sitter) and "Tips for Traveling with Babies and Kids" (just in time for the holidays!)
Connecting Moms
Online since: May 2006
Founders: Shell Luba, Anthony Samadani, Tanya Alvarez
The Skinny:
Connecting Moms is a blog-slash-social network aimed at helping moms share learned experience for every stage of motherhood, from expectant moms to those "who've been there, done that!" Connecting Moms recently launched the Million Moms Picture Page, a charity event hoping to connect a million moms worldwide around efforts to raise five million dollars for women- and family-related causes. According to founder and former AOL techie Shell Luba, supporters include May May Ali (daughter of boxer Muhammed Ali), TV personality Leeza Gibbons, and model-slash-tsunami survivor Petra Nemcova. If you still haven't found that perfect gift, consider submitting a photo of your friend or loved one with your donation (minimum of $5) to this wonderful fundraiser. Charities include The March of Dimes, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, The Smile Train, Autism Speaks, and many more. When the Million Moms Picture Page $5M goal is reached, their globe logo will be covered by donor-submitted photos!
Working Moms Against Guilt (WMAG)
Online since: November 2006
Founders: Susan, Cara, Sara, and Tela
The Skinny:
The name says it all. This "coalition" of working mothers includes former co-workers and collaborators Susan, Cara, Sara, and Tela who formed WMAG to help other moms "stay strong and fight back against all that guilt" that society puts on us women (and we put on ourselves).
"The four of us were all fairly young/new moms with children ranging from newborn to age 4," said Susan Jackson, one of the four founders. "We all worked together in a high-stress, long-hours agency business, and we were all writers. After constantly trading tips, stories, and emails about all things relating to working motherhood (including plenty of guilt), we decided to open our conversation up to other working moms like us."
Although Cara and Sara have since left the agency where the group of writers first met, the WMAG's still keep in touch through the blog and regular get-togethers. In just one year, the group has attracted thousands of readers, commenters, and new friends through Working Moms Against Guilt.
Classy Mommy
Online since: 2003
Founder: Colleen Padilla
The Skinny:
Classy Mommy is a great product-review blog founded by Colleen Padilla. Colleen regularly creates Video Reviews, traditional blog posts, and maintains a fabulous Product Finder--making it quick and simple to find what you need online, and make a difference while doing it. Colleen's mission with Classy Mommy is to help parents redirect some of their consumer spending towards important charities with Classy Mommy Causes.
"When readers shop through our partners, Classy Mommy donates 100% of the affiliate marketing revenue we earn to charity," Colleen said. "Our shopping can make a difference—even when we feel we don't have the money to make a donation."
Colleen and her husband just welcomed their second child, a son, two weeks ago! Follow their story (and trials and tribulations with new products for baby) at www.classymommy.com.
Crazy Hip Blog Mamas
Online since: 2003
Founders: "The Turtle Mama" and CJ Field
The Skinny:
Crazy Hip Blog Mamas is not only a blog but an online destination for hundreds of mom bloggers to aggregate their thoughts on various topics. CHBM hosts weekly "events": themes for each of the seven days of the week dictate the topics of posts submitted by blogger members. CHBM topics include Recipe Rally, Member of the Week, Kids Corner or Teenage Tips, Photos, member-written articles, and more. The site is pretty straightforward to navigate, and with over 1,000 members submitting content, there's lots of advice and helpful tips to choose from!
Cheers,
Sheila

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