09.29.10

Some Updates and a Loaded Question

I wanted to start out this post by saying how much I appreciate those of you who continue to support TMC. It’s a community that continues to grow and what still amazes me is how many bloggers have truly met others through this network. I’ve seen some really new bloggers that start out here and after adding a listing they begin to connect and build their own tribe with others from this very space.

However, as this community continues to grow it’s getting harder and harder for me to choose which blogs to feature every Friday. Therefore, in order to be considered for the Featured TMC Blogger of the week you must visit the current Featured Blogger of the week and comment on that blog. I will be selecting and notifying future TMC Feature Bloggers who will be chosen directly through the comments on the blogs of other Featured Bloggers. This will not only make the process easier, but it will also bring more exposure to the Featured TMC Bloggers which is essentially the whole point of the features anyway! I will continue to shut off comments for those posts on my blog to encourage comments on the actual Featured TMC Blogger. So be sure to start commenting this Friday on the actual site of the FB, especially if you would like to be considered as a Featured Blogger yourself!

Next, many of you know by now that I am a social media consultant for Chic Mama, helping them launch a new Twitter account so you can find me tweeting @TheChicMama Please be sure to follow on Twitter there {I follow back} and please tell all of your mommy friends to do the same. If you have already followed me there, thanks so much for supporting me and if you haven’t followed yet, go follow now!

Finally, I was hanging out with a couple of my neighbors recently and some of these women have children that are much older than mine. We ended up having a pretty intense discussion about the topic of iphones and Facebook and I was pretty shocked to hear what they were sharing. Some of the moms told me that they are finding it difficult to catch some middle ground right now; apparently, there are many children (beginning in 5th grade and some even earlier) who already have iphones and utilize Facebook accounts – and are very active on both. They went on to tell me that many of the moms they are referring to (who allow their kids to have these privileges) are actually good friends of theirs but they do not share the same perspective when it comes to texting, sharing photos, social media and their children. The problem is, the children who are using their own iphones (excessively though texting) and utilizing Facebook accounts are setting a precedent with their own friends, making it harder on the moms that are standing their ground by saying “no.”

As we were sitting outside together talking very intensely about this issue, it was one of those moments I was actually glad my little ones were tucked in bed sleeping and that I don’t have to deal with this yet…who knows what will be available five years from now but until then, I would love to hear your thoughts on this very active debate:

At what age do you think it’s appropriate for your child to have a Facebook account and/or an iphone?

{ 75 Comments }
09.26.10

Unplugged

I had a dream the other night that I lost my cell phone. Actually, it was a nightmare.

I remember vividly where I was at the very moment that I realized the phone was missing. It felt as though someone had stolen my wallet. I began to think about all of the photos, videos and information that is on that one piece of mobile technology and my heart sank even further. Then, sheer panic set in.

It was a scene right out of a movie script in which I frantically retraced my steps and had absolutely no luck. It was gone. Forever. And I had to deal with the emotion and aftermath…until of course, I woke up.

And when I awoke I was never so thankful to see that shiny black piece of technology resting so peacefully on my nightstand.

But in retrospect, why did the mere thought of losing a cell phone have such an effect on me? I mean, it’s just a cell phone and it’s replaceable, right?

Fast forward a few days later, I was drinking some coffee and tweeting from my computer as the kids were enjoying a little morning dose of Yo Gabba Gabba before they went to pre-school. Within moments of tweeting online, I was one of many who were slammed with that massive attack accessing Twitter from the web recently. First, I feared for my Twitter account and had no idea what would come of it. Next, I feared for my computer…

It was all happening so fast and through such a chaotic and frantic state of mind, my son slowly walked over toward me. He looked very concerned.

He grabbed my hand as well as my attention and asked, “Mommy, what’s wrong? Why do you look so upset?”

I stopped.

I put my coffee down.

I shut the laptop.

And I sat next to my kids on the couch.

I unplugged.

I arrived at a pivotal moment where I appeared to have scared my child enough to think there was something wrong and I never want my child to see me worrying over computer issues, a Twitter account or the remnants of a potentially lost cell phone. There are so many other things to stress about in life and the aforementioned should never be part of it.

It turns out that my Twitter account was fully restored and my laptop was completely fine. However, it’s so easy to sometimes get wrapped up in this kind of drama as it unfolds and I’ve learned to be mindful of the fact that it’s only technology and there are far more important things in life that need my immediate attention.

The only real communication of monumental importance has to come from my children first – and the moment they begin to “tweet” with me – I know it’s time to unplug.

{ 60 Comments }
09.24.10

Featured TMC Blogger: Wonder, Friend

TMC welcomes Missy, author of the blog Wonder, Friend. Missy is another one of those bloggers that started out on this journey and one of the very first communities she joined was TMC. {Smart girl} She is such an active member of this space and she is also an amazing supporter of Theta Mom! I enjoy her writing style and I like how she shares her perspective on specific topics and then asks readers to respond with “wonders” of their own. Here is how she describes her blog in her own words:

“I started blogging publicly about six months ago as a way to practice writing. I thought if I went public, I would be more apt to write than if I remained in hiding. Thanks to Wonder, Friend I am not only writing more than I was before, but I am also making some great connections with other bloggers. The relationships are a huge bonus that I never anticipated. The phenomenon of blogging is hard to explain to the non-bloggers in my life. Before Wonder, Friend I never would have believed that this community existed. I used to think blogging was for tech nerds only. Wrong. I’ve never been so happy to be wrong.

Wonder, Friend was conceived as a place where I could write about life’s questions, big and small. Then we (you, me, the internet) could discuss amongst ourselves. The site is evolving a bit. Stuff tends to do that. From time-to-time you’ll see things there that don’t necessarily fall under the category of wonderings. No matter how the post is categorized, I typically pose a question at the end of each post. I wonder…and ask you to share your thoughts.

I have two precious boys, ages four years and 16 months, so there’s definitely mommy blogging. I’m an old married lady, so there’s some relationship blogging. Every once in a while I can be funny, so there’s a touch of humor. I love creative writing, so there’s some of that. When I can, I enjoy participating in memes and challenges, so periodically you’ll see those kinds of posts. That’s the beauty of blogging: there’s room for growth and change.

I am honored to be Theta Mom’s Featured Blogger this week. Heather has created a fantastic community, and it was the first one I joined when I started this adventure in blogging. It’s a thrill to be featured!”

Be sure to check out the blog and follow her on Twitter!

New to TMC? Join us! We LOVE new members!

*Instead of leaving a comment here, please show some love directly on the blog of the Featured TMC Blogger. Have a wonderful weekend ladies!

{ Comments Closed }
09.22.10

Halloween Costume Review and Giveaway

***This contest is now closed. Congratulations Tabitha! An email has been sent.***

Star Costumes has been in business since 1980 and online since 1997. This company is located in Toledo, Ohio and with almost 30 years of experience in the Halloween Costume industry, they are dedicated to offering the largest selection of adult and kid costumes at very affordable prices. In addition, Star Costumes carries one of the largest selections of costumes on the internet and they pride themselves on excellent customer service. All new costumes are fully inspected before they are added to the website which shows that this company is focused on selling high quality products that include high quality workmanship. I reviewed the Batman kid costume in a size small for my son {since of course that is what he wanted to be for Halloween}:

Once the costume arrived, my son was thrilled as he opened the package. His favorite part about this costume (aside from totally feeling and acting as though he really is Batman) is that he loves the “fake” muscles! From a Theta Mom’s perspective, I was very impressed with the quality of the costume. It fit him very well and moreover, he was comfortable. He was even able to wear his own clothes underneath! This costume has the classic look of Batman with a gray jumpsuit that includes that awesome muscled chest, a blue cape, attached boot tops, a headpiece and even the belt. Based on this particular costume and the fit, I would recommend this company for your Halloween needs!

Be sure to check out the full line of costumes, products and accessories to meet any of your holiday or special occasion needs through the full website here and you can also “like” Star Costumes on Facebook and follow on Twitter.

The Giveaway:

Star Costumes is offering one lucky Theta Mom reader $40 to shop at Star Costumes! Perfect timing with Halloween right around the corner and what’s even better is I made this so easy for you to enter! Ready?

To Enter: Simply follow my blog publicly and “like” Theta Mom on Facebook and tell me you are. So easy!!

Want an extra entry? Follow me on Twitter and copy/paste this tweet as often as you like: It’s time to think about #Halloween Leave a comment @ThetaMom to win $40 to shop @StarCostumes http://bit.ly/bL5PYq  #giveaway Please RT

*This giveaway is open to US residents only and will end on October 5th. One winner will be selected at random and will be contacted via email. I was provided a Batman Costume for kids from Star Costumes. These are my own, honest opinions about the product which are reflective of my experience.

{ 176 Comments }
09.20.10

More than a Mother

I was recently thinking about a post I co-wrote a few months ago. Basically, the question was asked whether we are women or mothers first – and reflecting back on that initial question it got me thinking for a moment more about this blog.

Almost every single published post at Theta Mom has been in some way related to motherhood. Big surprise, huh? I know, quite a shock considering the title of this blog is called Theta MOM and motherhood actually is an integral part and focus of the overall mission {which, for the record, I am damn proud of}… but, sometimes I feel as though I am cutting myself too short. Not every post has to be about motherhood because there is more to me as a woman than just motherhood itself and THAT is part of redefining the role of motherhood, isn’t it?

I am more than a mother; I am a complete person and before I gave birth to two beautiful children, I was a vibrant woman.

I still am a vibrant woman.

I am also a wife, daughter, sister, teacher, friend, and the list goes on…

I still have my own dreams, wants, needs and goals without the word “mother” attached to them. I can still remember that little girl who dreamt about walking down the aisle to marry the boy of her dreams. Part of me has recollections of that teenager who experienced her very first date. Deep inside, I still remember that young, beautiful woman about to enter college and the same woman who began an amazing professional career.

That woman is still me and there are times I need to remind myself of her.

Between diaper changes, making lunches, doing the laundry and moving through the daily grind of motherhood, I need to awaken the notion that I am a whole woman with dreams of my own in addition to being a good mother.

I am more than a mother; I am a complete woman who happens to live a blessed life raising two beautiful children but that doesn’t have to mean that my own wants and needs as a woman have to end. It just means that life is more interesting as I navigate my way through this journey called motherhood.

Maybe it’s about time I began writing and reminding the world (as well as myself) that I am a woman and a mother – because sometimes, my life is far more complex and interesting than just another nightly serving of mac and cheese.

{ 65 Comments }
« Older Posts