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Theta Mom®

Redefining Motherhood

The True Power of Blogging: Finding a Voice for the Unspoken

My guest post today is Devan from Accustomed Chaos. In this piece, Devan reminds us that our words do create meaning and the voice we share has a direct impact on others. I hope this post inspires you to think about why you first hit the word publish on your own blog.

Blogging came into my life just over a year ago. I didn’t really think I was going to get too much out of it. I certainly was not planning for anything more than having a few people read my words and having some general conversations on Twitter and Facebook. As I started to write more and feel comfortable sharing more about myself and my life, I began to open up more about my struggles and my pain…

Society does not talk about grief caused by miscarriage – society at large does not even think we should grieve a miscarriage. We are told to just go on with our lives and ‘try again.’ We are left feeling embarrassed, isolated and alone. A pain and isolation I had been walking around with for years surrounding my multiple miscarriages and a pain that is still very real to this day. Blogging and social media sites like Facebook and Twitter break invisible boundaries that are present in real life that should never be there.

Blogging gave me a voice for that pain.

The more I opened up on my personal blog the more I received “me too” comments on my posts and personal emails from women looking for support – looking for connections from someone who had been there. My passion started to grow as I started to see this very real need being forgotten, unspoken. A community was forming, though I was the only one who knew it existed because the real words were being spoken through private emails. I realized that I was not the only one dealing with the depth of my perinatal grief – I was not the only one who craved a connection and a voice.

The incredible power of blogging and connecting through social media is that you are never alone in what you are going through and you will never be alone in your pain. I decided to follow my passion to help women, families, friends and anyone who has been touched directly or indirectly by miscarriage, stillbirth and neonatal loss – through blogging and social media; to give those who needed a connection and a voice a safe place to share.

I formed a new site dedicated to support and understanding and to give others a platform to share their stories, their grief, their hopes and dreams. My passion collided with blogging when Unspoken Grief was born. It’s a group contributing site for those looking for a voice for their perinatal grief. Allowing women, partners, friends and family to speak their words and raise their voices, tell their stories and connect.

Blogging and sites like Facebook and Twitter are more powerful then at first glance and I am still daily learning the true power of how it can connect people in different parts of the world who share very similar experiences. THAT is powerful. In no other way would we be able to reach our virtual arms out to someone who feels so alone in their pain.

Connecting people together can do a world of good breaking the silence of miscarriage, stillbirth and neonatal loss can heal; supporting each other through our pain, through our hopes and dreams and to have someone who understands and somewhere for your voice to be heard – THAT is the true power of blogging.

Please send me an email if you are interested in guest posting at Theta Mom® for TMC Network. Full details can be found on the Network page.

Featured TMC Blogger: Things I Can’t Say

TMC welcomes Shell, author of the blog Things I Can’t Say. Shell has been an avid Theta Mom reader for quite some time and I was thrilled when she joined us here at TMC. She writes from a very authentic place on her blog, sharing her motherhood experiences in a way we can all relate to. She prides herself on building relationships in this bloggy space so be sure to show her some TMC love! Here is how she describes her blog in her own words:

Things I Can't Say

“I’m so excited to be here on Theta Mom today. Heather’s tagline really speaks to me and what my blog is about.

I’m Shell and I blog at Things I Can’t Say. My blog name came to me one day when I was telling a story that I thought was hilarious on my family blog and my family did NOT find it hilarious. I realized there were “things I can’t say” on my family blog, so I started a second, anonymous blog to share things I might get judged for by family: total mom fails, marriage issues, and how hard this whole motherhood thing is!

From trying to make new friends after having kids (I have a special name for what happens to the mean girls from junior high after they grow up and procreate – you can find that on my memes tab) to trying to figure out how to not only take care of my family, but to take care of me, too. I pretty much spill it all on my blog.

Every Wednesday, I host a Pour Your Heart Out linky where I encourage everyone to pour out something that has been weighing on their mind or an issue that is important.  It’s like a mini-therapy session and a great way to really get to know other bloggers.

It’s the fabulous friendships that I’ve made that make this whole blogging thing worthwhile.  And I can’t wait to meet you!”

Be sure to check out the blog and follow her on Twitter!  New to TMC? Join us! We LOVE new members!

*To be considered as a Featured TMC Blogger, be sure to comment on this week’s feature! Have a great weekend ladies!

Petit Couture: A Must-Have for Stylish Girls

Petit Couture is owned and lead by mom of three, Rebecca Kaykas-Wolff. Rebecca was inspired to begin her own clothing line when she recognized that there were so few children’s brands available that were both modernly fashionable and affordable. In addition to being a mompreneur, Rebecca is no stranger to digital marketing and conducting business online. In fact, she worked as a senior manager with large companies such as T-Mobile and Microsoft. She launched the Signature Collection of infant layette and toddler basics in 2009 and since then, Petit Couture is sold in high end boutiques across the United States, Australia and New Zealand.

The name of this brand, Petit Couture, truly says it all. I am confident that one look is all it will take for you to fall in love with this company. For starters, check out the line of Petit Couture dresses such as the Simone Pleat. This dress is so appealing because of its fun detailing, fabulous colors and flutter sleeves. It’s a gorgeous dress for any little girl, especially this spring and summer! The photo above includes the cardigan which is actually sold separately. This dress can be ordered 12-18 months through size 6, making it a perfect fit for that special little girl and is offered in five vibrant colors.

Another perfect item to shop for your little girl this spring season is the Kennedy Pleat Skirt. I am loving the sunshine color of this skirt but it’s also offered in three other colors. The skirt is designed for tons of twirling and movement for your active toddler which can be paired with an adorable shirt. She will look ultra chic as she sports this complete look.

And a product that immediately caught my attention is the Waffled Thermal T because this is a staple in any little girl’s wardrobe. She could wear this with pants or a skirt or even stretch pants and her look would be complete! The Waffle Thermal T contains a rib collar and banded cuff which is cover-stitched throughout. Adding the bling of the Petit Couture owl creates this superstar look. So couture!!

Finally, the Signature Collection Organics is perfect for that eco-spirited baby! The hat comes one size with an adjustable knot. Ink treatments are water-based and the hat is sold separately or paired as part of the Organic Baby Must-Have Set. The Short-Sleeved One-Piece is designed for a mom with ease getting it on and off the baby in a snap. This set is also offered in four different colors.

Petit Couture offers a little something for every baby and girl from Infant Loungy Gowns to Ruffled Cardigans and now is the perfect time to purchase because Rebecca is offering a special discount to Theta Mom readers: 15% off your entire order with the use of the following coupon code entered at checkout: THETAMOM15% To stay updated on the latest designs and future discounts, be sure to follow on Twitter and “like” Petit Couture on Facebook.

Theta Mom® abides by word of mouth marketing standards and believes in honesty of relationship, opinion and identity. Petit Couture is a proud sponsor of Theta Mom and I was compensated for this post. However, all opinions expressed are purely my own and the content of this post was not influenced in any way.

Good Blog Design: It Matters More Than You Think

My guest post today is Allison from Alli-n-Son. She’s the momma of a spunky and energetic two year old boy. She’s also a wanna-be photographer and gourmet chef, a highly creative woman and one-time graphic designer all rolled into one. This post is packed with helpful information with wonderful advice coming from a woman who has seen it all on the design front.

For over 8 wonderful years I spent the majority of my time designing. Logos. Brochures. Direct mail. CD covers. Annual reports. Invitations. Web sites. Anything and everything that I could get my little hands on. I loved it. My creativity was expressed {even under the watchful eye of the customer} and I helped people communicate with other people or businesses. It was heaven.

Until, that is, I had my son and my world was flipped upside down. Design was no longer the main focus of my life. My son was. Which is why 18 months after having him, I quit my job to stay at home.

As I entered the blogging world, my passion for design followed me. Instead of creating for others, I was creating for myself. My blog became an extension of myself, not only through my words and photos, but also through the design and style of it. Me, my personality, had to show through the design as well as my writing.

The more blogs I read and the more that I visited, the more I realized how important blog design is. I mean, I knew good design and style was important before, but good design is important for different reasons. It’s personal.

One of the things you hear over and over in blogging tips is to be you. Write from your heart. Read other bloggers, but don’t try to be them. As the cliché saying goes, just be yourself. This couldn’t be more true for blog design.

So what exactly is good blog design?

Well, it’s subjective to the blogger, that’s for sure. But here are a few tips to help get you on the right track and to find your style.

Don’t use a standard {ahem, generic} blog template. You know the ones, you see them everywhere. The only thing that changes is the title of the blog. There’s no personality, no connection to the blogger. No sense of who the blogger actually is. And let’s face it, you need that connection to grow your blog.

Find your style. Maybe you love things to be ultra simple and clean. Maybe you adore vintage. Perhaps you find inspiration in nature. Or maybe photography defines who you are. Whatever it is, whatever you are passionate about, whatever fits you, pick one style and run with it.  Don’t be afraid to find other blogs that you like, but don’t copy. Use them for inspiration and create a version of your own; a version that is just you and exactly as you would in your writing.

Keep it clean, organized and as clutter-free as possible. It happens to everyone, you get a little side bar happy. So many buttons, so little space. But crowding your side bars with buttons, widgets, ads and all sorts of lovely things is actually taking away from your blog. It’s distracting from the content, from your words, photos, stories, recipes, and everything brilliant you have to say. Clean it up and you will find that people will enjoy visiting your site more.

Don’t be afraid to tweak your blog design as you go along. The best things happen over time, but don’t give your blog a complete overhaul very often. It’s so tempting to change your design and style with every new idea you see. Take your time at the beginning and do it right the first time. Make sure your personality is in your blog design and you’ll be happy with it for a long, long time. If you do decide to change it there are two options. Make it a second generation {or third or fourth}, something similar but a little more refined or grown up. Or, if it’s time, give your blog a complete overhaul, something completely different. Then shout it from the tree tops so everyone stops by to see the new you!

Designing a blog can be overwhelming even for me, who’s been in the design business for almost a decade now. There are so many options! Take a deep breath and ask for some help. Just like everyone can’t bake, not everyone can create great blog designs. It’s one of those skills and passions that you either have or don’t. If you are up for the challenge of learning, high fives all around! But if you find it frustrating or you just don’t have the time, patience or energy, there are plenty of resources to help get you going.

Find a friend who is skilled in blog design and ask for their help. Offer a shout out in return, ad space, a batch of your famous cookies or your undying love – whatever it takes. There are design agencies and freelancers who specialize in creating amazing blogs. Hire one. You may be surprised to find out how affordable it can be.

One final thought: Many bloggers don’t like the idea of branding a blogger. But branding shouldn’t be seen as a negative thing. In fact, it can be one of the best ways to promote your blog. By keeping your identity and your style consistent in everything that you do, you are creating a brand. That brand is you. Consistency is the first way to get other bloggers to notice and recognize you. It’s the first way to get your voice heard. It’s one of the best ways to shout “Look at me! I’m unique and I’m worth reading!”

Please send me an email if you are interested in guest posting at Theta Mom® for TMC Network. Full details can be found on the Network page.

Get on the Potty Train: An Open Discussion

I found myself engaged in a fabulous potty training conversation on Twitter last week that was sparked due to a segment which aired on Good Morning America. I am currently in the trenches about to hop aboard the potty train so this convo couldn’t have come at a better time for me. The piece raised some good questions about potty training which got many of us moms talking…

Typically when we blog, quality posts are generated from original content that we develop and the comments end up as the icing on the cake because they add real value to an already well developed piece. However today, I would love to try a new experiment because I am far from an expert in the potty training department. The reality is that I don’t have anything of real substance to offer on this subject or life altering insight to share. Instead, I am seeking out advice from YOU.

Therefore, I want the comments on this post to drive the discussion.

So, please share to your heart’s content and give this Theta Mom some help – because my 2½ year old begins a pre-school program in the fall and she MUST be trained to attend.

Questions for an open discussion: Feel free to answer any (or all) of those listed below or simply add in your experience/advice in relation to potty training:

What has been your experience with potty training and was there any tip or strategy that you can share that worked for you and your child? Have any of you tried that “train your child in three days” program – if so, did it work? Would you recommend it? Why or why not?

What would you say is the least effective strategy when trying to potty train your child?

Do you think we put too much pressure on ourselves as mothers (in addition to our children) to train at a certain time (such as to reach deadlines like the one I have to meet)?

What are some things that worked for you in terms of keeping this whole experience stress free for both the parent and the child?