August 7, 2008 10:28 AM
What is MommyLife about, anyway?
I will be honest with you.
My default position is now writing. I have so much more to say than I have time to get it all down. It's a good thing I write so much about putting motherhood first because I have to rein myself in constantly - especially right now as the demands of my family are very great.
But there are always ideas stirring within me - and I hope they are stirring within you. Agatha Christie once said that the best time for planning a novel was while doing the dishes. I agree. One of the joys of housework is that your mind is free to roam - which is why it's important to feed it with ideas worth roaming around. Which is why we need to put down the People magazines (I confess: my guilty pleasure when I am waiting for doctors or haircuts :) and pick up something intelligent - something that will help us be better mothers to our country's future men and women.
I'm off to do some pre-college shopping with Sophia - counting down until our Tuesday/Wednesday trip to drop her off at Liberty (my heart wrenches thinking about saying goodbye) - but want to share something I've been thinking about for a couple months. [update: oh, my goodness, we just realized we can't go because Jonny is still recuperating - he was asleep and we forgot]
I haven't made a lot of changes in my template here at MommyLife. While I'm often envious of those with more appealing visuals, I cannot do my own design and can't afford the time to work with someone on it. I'd rather write. I worried about this until my BlogGuru assured me that since my site is content-driven, it's okay the way it is.
But running through my mind as I do laundry, pack and unpack boxes, get Jonny his meds and go over Sophia's ToDo List has been the desire to change the byline on this blog.
First of all, I am not sure MommyLife was the best idea for a title - in some people's minds it lacks the gravitas required for speaking to larger issues because what do mommies know, anyway?
But I am coming from a different perspective. I am coming from the perspective that being a mother is the greatest opportunity in the world to educate the next generation and to influence the world. I am coming from the uniquely Christian perspective that being a leader means being a servant. I am coming from the perspective that being a mother doesn't mean checking your brains at the door - especially now that we have such freedom of communication and information, that we are no longer slaves to the MSM (See Mainstream Media finally cops to dependence on blogs), and that ten minutes of reading something like What In the World Is Going On can lead to ten hours of brain synapses firing.
Which leads to better mothering as you figure out ways to discuss things with your children and help them make sense of their world - to think things through for themselves and see the bigger picture before someone slaps a simplistic template on their worldview (Obama's "We are the ones we've been waiting for") or fashions them into mindless consumers (see Consumer-proof your teens with link to Merchants of Cool).
So, I do think what mothers think is terribly important. And I do think the effort in our culture to dumb us down or portray us as unimportant allows our children to become pawns in the hands of consumer and political forces that are antithetical to the spiritual potential endowed on us by our Creator.
So here are some ideas I've been thinking about:
MommyLife
Because the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world and what we think matters - now more than ever [or yesterday and today].
Okay, I feel very vulnerable here as I am not a group project-type person at all - which you may have have noticed :) - but an full-steam-ahead ENTJ.
But, just between us over the backyard fence - what do you think?
Or maybe it should be something lighter - I admittedly have trouble with being too serious, so have absolutely no ideas to offer in this direction.
Any thoughts? Talk to me - please.
Posted in Blogging, Mothering, My life, Writing | Permalink
Comments
I like your title, MommyLife. It is easy to remember, easy to spell.
Also, I like the "life" part includes politics, toddlers, advocating for your child, stories of other mothers, and general interest. I think of it as "Family Circle" magazine, but without the inane beauty tips and stupid impractical fashions.
The one thing I wish you had, was an "older posts" button at the bottom. If you get to the bottom, it says "check the archives" - but sometimes there are several posts in a day or two that push a current post into the archives.
Posted by: Milehimama | August 7, 2008 12:27 PM
Honestly - mommylife does fit perfectly - because you are a mommy and the things you write about are things that affect your life and that of your family. (Plus, as milehimama wrote - it is easy to remember! LOL)
I love to come and read what you write - you have inspired me to write more - a past time I used to do alot but lost once I had children. I used to have so many children's books written but when I left home, I left them there and my mom tossed them out.
I even admit, I am not a conservative (or a liberal - I dunno what I am! LOL) but alot of the serious things that you write about make me think and ponder things that I have thought.
I am a young mom and your insight has helped me because I have grown up to quickly and sometimes forget that I can be me and have my own opinions and to express them
Thank you for that!! If I were you, do not change a thing - like they say "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"
Posted by: Krystal-momofautism | August 7, 2008 1:47 PM
I don't dislike your suggested change, though as much as I like that poem, I think referencing it could feel a little bit trite (maybe I'm just overexposed to it from reading so many Mommy Blogs).
I actually really like your current tagline because it mentions the major things you write about: Montessori, being a mom of many children, parenting, culture, politics, and religion.
Posted by: Becky Miller | August 7, 2008 2:01 PM
I like your tagline and blog-name. I like the sassy " . . . because she can" part. :)
Posted by: Mel | August 7, 2008 2:19 PM
I don't know if you can honestly claim to be megamom now that you have lost all that weight. . . .
Posted by: Julana | August 7, 2008 2:31 PM
I like "MommyLife," too. I like your byline as it is. I love the poem you reference, but think that its significance might be lost- or maybe I'm the only one who never read that poem until well into adulthood. If you really wanted a change, I might just use "Because what mommies think matters," or something like that. Or maybe add that to the end of your current byline? Just some thoughts....
Posted by: Marisa | August 7, 2008 2:34 PM
I love the title MommyLife b/c the world does thing mommies are lacking both brain cells and cultural clout. We need to take back the word Mommy! And I love your existing byline - "because she can" makes you sound a little like a superhero:) If you were to change it though, I think the hand that rocks the cradle is an excellent choice. It's very inclusive and empowering for the mom who comes here feeling like she's not doing a very important job. And I think it's a great reminder that all the things we do - campaigning for a political candidate or potty training a two year old - are very important and deserve our best.
Posted by: Shannon Miller | August 7, 2008 2:48 PM
I love the title because it's very universal. Yet some of your posts are very hard hitting. I can direct friends and family here who may be a bit liberal for posts on mothering and hope that they continue to read for a different political point of view. You are very good at articulating why I believe what I believe and maybe they'll read something and say 'Oh so that's what she means when she says...'
Posted by: Alison | August 7, 2008 3:51 PM
Too funny, Barbara. Every single word of this describes what I've been feeling lately... such an itch to write (only exacerbated by my blogging sabbatical this summer), such a spinning mind that is only fed by the ease of information and the speed of analysis that is now at our fingertips the moment anyone says or does anything.
But to top it all off, I'm an ENTJ too. Too, TOO funny. :)
Posted by: Jess @ MakingHome | August 7, 2008 4:10 PM
I think your title and the description under it are perfect as they are. You have "smorgasbord of parenting, cultural, political, and spiritual wisdom". What more is there? I'm with the others, I like the "because she can" line, too!
Posted by: Smockity Frocks | August 7, 2008 4:32 PM
I like Mommylife, too, but I can see why you'd want to change it. I do think it encapsulates who a mother is: a mother of children, but also a person who is interested in culture, art, politics, etc. While children are a big part of our lives, they're not the ONLY part of our lives.
I like the Hand the Rocks the Cradle, but I think it's almost too well known.
Maybe you could just shorten the tag line? Here are my ideas:
Parenting. Culture. Politics. Spirituality. Because I can.
Rocking the World Through Motherhood, Culture, Politics, Spirituality and Whatever Else I Like.
Rock the Cradle, Rule the World: Parenting, Politics, Culture, Spirituality, etc.
(These phrases make me think of Billy Idol, which might not be the association you're going for! LOL!)
Mommylife: What Mommies Think Matters
(can be read two different ways since there's no comma)
I hope this helps and gets your creative juices flowing. :)
Posted by: Lucy | August 7, 2008 5:45 PM
I love it the way it is, but I like the new ideas too. Whatever you decide, I'll still be reading!
Posted by: Sherry | August 7, 2008 8:36 PM
I LOVE the current byline and title...I wouldn't change a thing. I think the byline sums up everything that "mommy life" by itself doesn't cover...but the title "mommy life" is fitting because it highlights the perspective from which you write...
Posted by: Amy K. | August 7, 2008 10:03 PM
The best way a mother can contribute to society is to have a loving relationship with her husband and raise caring, responsible children. When her family is emotionally healthy, society wins in every aspect.
As a SAHM of six busy children, I feel I have a much better quality-of-life, make better decisions for my family and my community, and my home is much more "under control" than most households where the mom chooses to work at her career full-time. Does that make me intelligent? You bet it does. Quite possibly the Mommy Life is the best investment I can make of my skills. Over a period of 30 years, a lot of money will come through this household, so I am trying to run it as though I own a small business.
I wake up at 5:30 a.m. and hit the ground running, and my average "busy mom" day is much busier than my most hectic day at the office ever was.
Any mom who can keep up with your vast array of topics is intelligent!
Because I feel your name carries quite a bit of clout, how about:
Barbara Curtis' Mommy Life.
Montessori megamom serves up a smorgasbord of parenting, cultural, political, and spiritual wisdom. Because you're intelligent!
Posted by: Marie Gibeau | August 7, 2008 10:19 PM
I don't really think you need to change anything about this website. But that's just me :)
I find your new tagline a bit long and cumbersome. I think just "Because the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world" says it all.
Posted by: Kristina | August 8, 2008 12:49 AM
I like Lucy's suggestions.
What about something like...
"Because thoughts at the cradle can change the world."
OR a better variation that you could think of.
I was going for something that worked both ways, for mothers as they learn and children as they learn.
Anyway...
Posted by: carrien (she laughs at the days) | August 8, 2008 4:18 PM
I love your blog the way it is, including the title and tagline. I also like the format the way it is. Some blogs are so decorative that they are hard to read. So don't worry about those "appealing visuals", just keep writing the way you have been. Yours is at the top of my "must read" blogs every day.
Posted by: melissa | August 8, 2008 4:33 PM
Your title and tagline are well suited to your blog. The "because she can" made me laugh the first time I read it.
Regarding the blog design, I agree w/your guru. It's not the bells & whistles we come for, it's the content. It is fun to redecorate, but that can wait.
Posted by: Lexie | August 9, 2008 1:18 AM
I have two girls and a boy. While I don't know the big picture (thank God--I'd mess it up), God has given me clues that one of my children will be drawn to service through missions and another service through politics. The other one is still more of a mystery. I want to train and raise up children who are well rounded. I want to do my part in preparing them for their future. With that said, my time is short and I want to use it in the shadow of those who are like minded with me and seem to be traveling the same path, or have already done so and want to mentor.
You have been there, done that, and are still doing it--PERFECT!
So, please continue to cover it all. I like that you include news, politics, world events along with potty training (for those with toddlers) and how to deal with difficult relationships with relatives and neighbors, all while being human and striving to be Godly.
My mind is usually spinning, too. I want to be better, think better, be challenged--and then pass that on to my children as they are still under my wing.
I love the knowledge you share for moms of younger children. If I had younger children, I would be "eating it up!" With children between the ages of 14 and 9 years, I would like to hear even more from you concerning these years and the ones to come. (I have several things I want to ask you to address in a later e-mail.)
Barbara, I like your tag line; it says it all. And, I like that you cover it all!
"The hand that rocks the cradle".....too over used.
My thoughts: I'm not sure about the "mommy" part of Mommylife. When my children were little, I felt like a "mommy". They rarely call me that anymore. As they get older, I have become "mama" and "mom".
How about you? With the age span that you cover with your dozen children, which best discribe you? Which best describes your blog and the message you want to send to mothers?
While I do like "Mommylife", I agree that that title doesn't quite convey the totality of what you have to say.
What ever you do, I'm sure it will be fine. You are the only blogger (and I say that loosely--you're a professional writer and there is no fluff here) that I read everyday and/or keep up with. My time reading here is most always time well spent.
BTW: I like the new photo. It's the best one that you're put up there yet. Now, curiousity has got me and you ARE a transparent person.....so, will you please tell us about the tatoo?
Posted by: von | August 9, 2008 5:49 PM
I think it's close...how about
"Because the hand that rocks the cradle shapes the world." ?
Just a thought...whatever you call it, I'll keep reading! =)
Posted by: Becky | August 9, 2008 9:09 PM
My question to you is who are you trying to attract? Your current title & tagline attracted me, a non-religious West Coast mama of two who is intrigued by your spiritual journey, likes being challenged to think about larger issues, appreciates the philosophy and techniques you suggest for interacting with young kids (thanks to you my kids have dishes on low shelves, kid-sized broom & furniture, and the definite sense this is "their" home to be comfortable in), and skips over most of the politically oriented posts. I was probably most attracted to "Montessori" (maybe that's how I originally found you), "smorgasboard" and "because she can." Knowing all that, do you want more or less of readers like me?
"The hand that rocks the cradle..." is a classic and suits your style in one way. On the other hand I don't know that it expresses your intellectual curiosity adequately.
Posted by: Alison | August 11, 2008 2:33 AM
