Some of my favorite blogs are written by professional writers with a passion for a topic or an idea. Here are three great ones from some great writers:
Confessions of a Mean Mommy (http://www.confessionsofameanmommy.com/) Denise Schipani is a mean mommy. Why else would she expect good behavior of her two boys at her niece's graduation ceremony? Yet here's the amazing thing: They behaved perfectly well. That's not to say that Denise is some sort of tough disciplinarian or Mary Poppins in Keds. Rather, she's a regular mom and a seasoned writer. (She pens the "Ask Mom" column for American Baby, among many other projects and articles.) Her weeks-old blog's tagline is, "Because sometimes being a parent means doing what's hard." Ain't that the truth. While interviewing a psychologist for a magazine article, Denise came to the realization that "to be a good parent, you have to gradually and minutely fail your child." She says that you have to let them make their own mistakes so they learn. In other words, you have to be a mean mommy, because a mean mommy is often a good mommy, and Denise's blog is a great one.
The Happiest Mom (http://thehappiestmom.com/) Despite the puppies and rainbows sort of title of her new blog, Meagan Francis promises not to sugar-coat anything. The author of Table for Eight: Raising a Large Family in a Small-Family World and the mother of five certainly knows better than to blow smoke up our virtual skirts. Rather, Meagan started the blog in response to all the negativity of late when it comes to motherhood.She writes: "My point is that most of us should be capable of being at least as happy as we were before we had kids. Because we are the same people, and children-while messy and exhausting and exasperating and a heck of a lot of work-don't change who we are." She shares realistic expectations and happy mom secrets (#3: Be your own parenting expert). Her blog's tagline sums it up: "Happy. Mother. You really can use both words in the same sentence." And though she didn't, her refreshing blog explains how you can.
Bike with Jackie (http://bikewithjackie.blogspot.com/) Jackie Dishner wants you to find your inner peace on a bicycle. A professional writer and speaker, Jackie says you can improve your life with a spiritual navigation tool she calls BIKE: Best self, Inner strength, Killer instinct and Expressive voice. If it sounds a little woo-woo for you, consider that Jackie found her BIKE by cycling through a three-year divorce.Jackie's advice for people in turmoil includes writing it down, because "The words on paper challenge you to seek solutions" and create your own path and asks "Will you be bold during the tough times, or not?" Whether you like to ride your bike or not, Jackie's blog will help you find your way through a rough patch or two with sound advice and helpful mantras. She writes: "If you're used to living in chaos, then chaos is probably your comfort zone, and you may not even know what calm feels like. But it's never too late to learn."
