My guest blogger today is Elizabeth, author of the blog The Writer Revived. She’s sharing her blogging journey with us today including the distinct path that lead her to develop an important community for mom bloggers. If you haven’t met Elizabeth yet, be sure to read on. You’ll be glad you did!
I started blogging in 2010 because, well, I was told I had to. As a writer wanting to be published, I was advised a presence on the web was critical. I had never read a single blog. I had no idea what I was doing, or why, and it showed. I floundered in those early days.
Eventually, I found my voice. And things started to take off. Blogging became a wonderful way to practice my craft, express myself and connect with others. The women I have gotten to know through blogging and social media mean so much to me, more than I ever could have imagined. As a long time career woman who became a stay-at-home mom, I have felt so isolated at times. Being able to reach out to others has had a positive impact on my life.
Sadly, there can be a negative side. From nasty, anonymous blog comments, to Twitter catfights, to entire sites dedicated to trashing an individual, I have seen it all. While I was never a target, I did not like what I witnessed taking place between some moms. I found it very disheartening.
For a long time, I thought there was nothing I could do. After all, I am just one person. But then I realized the Internet offers the same opportunity to work for good that it does for bad. I could rally others to stand up with me and speak out. I decided I would use cyberspace to spread a positive message in many of the same ways it is used to spread hate. The Take the Pledge Campaign launched in March. I believed it would resonate with other women, and I was right. The response has been remarkable.
Now I’m blogging to make a difference. I am energized and inspired by the women who have joined The Mom Pledge Community. Together, I know we have the power to affect positive change in the way moms interact with one another.
Moms are never going to agree on every issue. That is not a reasonable expectation. But we should be able to discuss issues in a respectful and open-minded manner. And learn to accept the choices others make, as well as their right to make them. Close to 400 women have taken The Mom Pledge. I receive emails every week thanking me for creating it. The stories bring tears to my eyes. Women tell me I have changed their lives for the better. And they have definitely impacted mine.
All this because I got pushed into blogging a little over a year ago. Who knew?
If you are interested in guest posting at Theta Mom® please send me an email since I am currently accepting submissions. Full details can be found on the Network page.
Love seeing you here Elizabeth!
Thank you, my friend!
You have created something really special with the Mom Pledge. It is great you had the opportunity today to reach a wider audience with your positive message.
Aw, thanks Kelly. I appreciate that. And I am grateful to Heather for giving me the opportunity to spread the message of The Mom Pledge through her platform. She has always been so supportive of me. That’s just how she is!
Elizabeth, I think it’s amazing what you’ve done with The Mom Pledge. Here’s wishing you even more success with it!
Thank you so much, Alison!
I really enjoy The Writer Revived. It has given me further inspiration to jump in and start writing. The Mom Pledge is fantastic, too. Congrats on your feature today, Elizabeth!
Wow! What a compliment! Thank you, Kelli! And happy writing!
Elizabeth, I’m not sure you will ever fully realize just how much your Mom Pledge was needed and how much safety it gives those of us who have been victims. It’s almost like this new trend to speak out (BandBack2Gether, Be Enough) has all happened because you started the Mom Pledge and we took back our internet and have been allowed to use our voices again freely.
Thank you for your kind words Stephanie. I continue to learn each day how big the problem of mom to mom cyber bullying really is, and it is staggering. I would not begin to take credit for the fabulous sites you mention, however. BB2G was established well before I started The Mom Pledge, and the seeds of Be Enough were growing as well. I do respect and admire those two sites tremendously, and am honored to be mentioned in such company. And I love seeing all the positive energy being spread across the Internet!
Elizabeth!! So happy to see you here on Theta Moms. I love the movement you’ve created and wish you continued success.
OK, I keep trying to reply to you, and it never shows up. And some point, about 10 replies will appear. 😉 Thank you for your good wishes! I appreciate them.
It’s so very nice to get to know you better Elizabeth! I’m so happy that The Mom Pledge has done so very well!!
Thank you! It has been very fulfilling.
Beautifully written, Elizabeth. You’ve spun a single idea into a web of inspiration for women bloggers everywhere. Keep it up!
“A single idea into a web of inspiration.” What are you, a great writer or something?! 😉 I love that! Thanks, Ericka!
You are such a positive force, Elizabeth! And I’m glad to have made a connection with you. I’m inspired by what you do.
I am very glad to have made a connection with you, too, Jill. You are one of my favorite bloggers, and people. Thank you for your support.
I love Elizabeth! So positive and so supportive. Glad to see you here with another positive force in blog world 😉
Thanks, sweetie!
and wow…I made a typo on my email address…clearly I need some sleep!
LOL! Well go get some, would you? 😉
Elizabeth I LOVE the concept of the Mom Pledge. Not too long ago I got the hair brained idea (from friends and family of course) to enter my son’s picture into a “Cutest Baby” contest with a military organization. (We’re active duty Air Force) I thought, “Yeah, that could be fun.” I knew my son wouldn’t win, but it was fun to see all the other beautiful babies as well. For a while anyhow… It got REALLY ugly. Mom’s making extra/fake Facebook accounts to give their babies votes and while they were logged into those fake accounts they would leave UNBELIEVABLY MEAN comments under front running babies pictures. Calling them ugly…saying their mom’s should have aborted that baby. Criminal things. I had never seen MOTHERS act like that in my life. Certainly no mothers in MY life. I withdrew my son’s picture and wrote a letter to the organization running the contest. I was appalled. I of course have NEVER done that again, but I feel like your Mom Pledge couldn’t have come at a BETTER time. There seems to be a level of maturity lacking in some moms…for whatever reason these days. Resorting to odd, inappropriate behavior to “get their way”. I’m going to pass along this Mom Pledge group to EVERY mom I know. Thank you so much!!
Oh my goodness! This exact scenario went down a few days ago on a blogging friend’s Facebook page. It was amazing how ugly it got. Something like a photo contest should not bring out such hateful behavior. It’s sad.
Thank you for your words of support, and for helping to spread the word about The Mom Pledge! We can be a positive force on the Internet!
I love what the mom pledge has accomplished. I have seen the badges everywhere! I’ve always meant to put one on my blog but keep forgetting. I think I’ll go do it now!
Great post. A lot to be learned from this big ole blogging community!
Thanks, Molly! I appreciate your kind words. If you do put the badge on your site, be sure to join our community! We’d love to have you!
Elizabeth, it is so lovely to see you here, spreading your message! What I particularly like about The Mom Pledge is that it brings positive behavior to light in a proactive way. You have started such a wonderful thing, and I hope that it continues to grow
Thank you so much, Angela! I think we can all be inspired by the positive examples we see, and it is always great to share them. I hope The Mom Pledge continues to grow, too. Sadly, I learn more each day about how much negativity is out there. We need to counteract it every chance we get!
You have created a wonderful sense of community and ethics.
We do need to be conscious of this, and not participate.
Makes no sense.
Thank you for bringing awareness, and openness, to the issue of unkindness.
Even if just one person decides to change their knee jerk reaction, it’s still one less person spilling poison.
Thank you
Thank you so much, Alexandra. If I’m honest, I have to say I don’t think we can totally wipe out the behavior. But we CAN make a difference. I have heard from women whose lives have been changed by our movement, and it’s wonderful. Thank you for being part of our community!
I think it’s a wonderful thing that you are doing. Thank you for having the courage to step up and do it!
Thank you! I draw courage from the women who have joined our community, especially those who have been the victims of cyber bullying. They inspire me to keep this movement growing. Together, we are making a difference!
New here. Just trying to figure it all out
It amazes me that haters can find their way into such a loving, supportive community. Looking forward to checking out the mom pledge.