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Theta Mom®

Redefining Motherhood

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.

Featured TMC Blogger: A Belle, a Bean & a Chicago Dog

TMC welcomes Liz, author of the blog A Belle, a Bean & a Chicago Dog. Liz joined TMC when it first launched and ever since then she has been such an active supporter of Theta Mom! She writes about the ups and downs of motherhood, including the journey she has been on with her family while moving numerous times in the last few years. Be sure to check her out! Here is how she describes her blog in her own words:

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 “Like so many bloggers I’ve met, I started out blogging for family and friends before I “went public.” My husband and I seem to have a penchant for relocation, as we moved out of Chicago in June 2003 and have lived in 3 places since.  Starting a blog was a way to keep everyone “back home” involved in our lives.

I feel very lucky to have chosen the name that I did back when I first started blogging.  The name is based on the birth locations of my 3 “kids” – Jack was our first “baby” and we had him while we still lived in Chicago. My mom started calling Kate her “Memphis Belle” from the time she was an infant, so it came naturally that Maddie would be our Boston Baked Bean.

Being a stay-at-home mom comes with its own set of challenges, particularly when you live states away from your family.  Blogging has allowed me to “use my brain” in ways that I haven’t since starting this mom gig, and has given me the opportunity to connect and share with other women across the globe.

March 2010 is when it all changed for me; March 2010 is when I joined my first blogging community!

In the last 6 months I’ve gained an entire technological & social media education as well as really great friends!  I’m truly so grateful for this bloggy experience and the relationships it has brought.”

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!

Theta Mom Has Some Exciting News

I do say this repeatedly but it’s the truth; since I began this blog I have met so many amazing women that I would not have met otherwise. Within this time, I have also seen many of my bloggy friends reach some awesome blogging goals and some bloggers have even gained some unique opportunities that they would not have received if it weren’t for their blogs.

Back in July I reviewed a diaper cake from a fabulous company called Chic Mama. It honestly was one of the nicest packaged and designed diaper cakes I’ve ever seen. However, this company is so much more than just diaper cakes. It’s geared toward the modern mom who appreciates all things chic, offering everything from stylish diaper bags to trendy clothing. You can read that full review at Theta Mom here.

As I’ve stated throughout many posts in the past, if you decide to work with a brand and post a review the one thing you always have to remember is that your readers’ trust is everything. Maintaining that trust needs to be at the forefront of every published post. Therefore, I only review products that *I* would in fact purchase myself and those that are useful and relevant to my audience. The bottom line is when you perform reviews not only are you fully endorsing that product, you are essentially endorsing the brand.

So, I am writing this post to share some exciting news with you…

Starting today, I will be taking on the role as a social media consultant for Chic Mama, helping to begin building an online presence for the brand by launching a Twitter account! I am thrilled about this opportunity because having worked with this company before, Chic Mama is a brand I fully endorse. So basically every time you see this adorable avatar on Twitter, you will be tweeting with ME!

I would love for you to help me kick off this exciting new opportunity and *follow* me on Twitter as TheChicMama! Of course I will continue to tweet as Theta Mom but I also look forward to building and establishing new relationships on Twitter as TheChicMama so be sure to connect with me and follow so we can tweet, tweet, tweet!

I can’t thank each of you enough for your support. This community continues to show me what an amazing and inspiring group of women you are. Thank you – for reading my blog and supporting me as I begin this new opportunity. I couldn’t do it without you!!!

Blog Connections are Real

Don’t ever let people tell you that blogging is a waste of time.

Don’t ever question your own passion just because someone else does not understand the fulfillment you receive from blogging.

Don’t ever let anyone intimidate you or make you think even for a second that you will never be successful in this bloggy world. Instead, prove them wrong.

Don’t ever let anyone get in the way of what you want to do.

Follow your passion.

Do what makes YOU happy in this bloggy world – if it’s reviews you love, then nail them. If you enjoy photography then post amazing photos. If you love cooking, share great recipes. If you craft or simply love fashion or design, then do it with style.

Continue to blog as long as it brings you joy.

And don’t ever, EVER let anyone tell you that these connections, relationships and friendships developed online are not real – because they ARE real. {Here are just a few of the many women I met and connected with at Bootcamp this past weekend in Philadelphia that prove these connections are REAL}

Complicated Mama and Theta Mom

Complicated Mama, Cecily, Scary Mommy and Mama Kat

Mommys Still Fabulous and Figments of a Mom

Complicated Mama, Life Without Pink and Theta Mom

Blog connections ARE real. Enough said.

This post is dedicated to every blogger who, at any point, has had a conversation with another person that doesn’t truly understand this passion for blogging. I get it. I get you. And so does every blogger who just read this post.

Featured TMC Blogger: BORED Mommy

TMC welcomes Maria from BORED Mommy. I originally found Maria on Twitter when I first began blogging and she is absolutely one of my favorite tweeps! Shortly thereafter, we found ourselves blogging together and she has been nothing but supportive of Theta Mom and this community. I even had the pleasure of meeting her in real life last month at BlogHer. She is one fabulous mom and blogger, so be sure to show her some love!

Here is how Maria describes her blog in her own words:

“My name is Maria, I’m Canadian and I’ve been blogging as BORED Mommy for about 15 months now. I started blogging as a way to amuse myself really, while also documenting some special moments and memories involving my little people (my 6 year old son and 3 year old daughter). I’m sarcastic, and self-deprecating in my writing (and in life), and if you’re looking for someone political, or controversial, you should probably keep looking. I’m a fan of a good list, a great book and the perfect cardigan. If you haven’t read a post of mine that mentions Colin Firth, than you clearly haven’t read enough of my posts.

A lovely benefit to blogging has been the fabulous connections that I’ve made with other bloggers, and the feeling of finally finding my tribe of girlies that I can relate to, and totally adore. It has been life changing and has absolutely enriched my life in many ways.

Thank you Heather for choosing to feature me and my blog on the Theta Mom Blog!! You know how much I adore you (yup, you’re one of those girlies I admire), so I’m thrilled 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. And for those of you attending Bloggy Bootcamp in Philly, I can’t wait to meet you this weekend!!