Have you ever had that feeling where you’re lost, confused and disenchanted in life? Where you aren’t sure where to go or what to do? Where things seems to just be going the wrong way and you aren’t sure where to go next, what to do, how to fix it? And then you do something, even just a small thing, something that seems completely insignificant yet it somehow turns everything around?
That is what blogging has done for me. Beyond Mommying came out of the frustration of not getting a job I really wanted, after going through the entire interview process for a job I was really excited about and getting offered a lesser position that I had been offered before and turned down. That I had done before and left. That I did not want to go back to.
Beyond Mommying has given me an outlet for my fears, joys, frustrations, insecurities and triumphs. It gave me a chance to feel relevant while waist deep (literally!) in the lives and daily caretaking of my children.
One year later, I was back in the same place. Feeling stifled, frustrated, unsure where to go, continue on the same path or make a choice to change (the basis for “Picking a Path”) and then I found myself surrounded by others who were the same but in a different place. Bloggers who were doing it.
They were Bloggin’ Mamas. And I am a Bloggin’ Mama too (you might have noticed my new badge on the side of the page!) and I couldn’t be more proud of the group I’ve found and the wonderful group of women that I get to be a part of.
was founded in 2010 by Heather Lopez, in association with the Bloggin’ Mamas Cruise Conference. Since that time Bloggin’ Mamas has expanded into an offering local community groups connecting local bloggers and offering support for bloggers to monetize their influence.
Currently chapters exist in South Florida, Southwest Florida, Central Florida, Northwest Florida, NYC, Saratoga & Adirondack NY, Boston, Phoenix and New Orleans (NOLA) and are being set-up in several other locations. Unlike other networks, we start local first and then plan to connect nationally. There is no charge to join.
Members are encouraged to support each other as they develop, enhance, and expand their blogs. Members are also encouraged to add other mom bloggers they feel might be interested in the group.
I joined my local chapter online not long after Doodle entered my life and gained so much from the group the first few months, but back at the beginning of my journey, I never could have imagined how it would impact my drive to have a better blog.
This year I’ve been fortunate to be able to attend two blogging learning seminars put on by Bloggin’ Mamas where I was able to meet some of those wonderful women I’d met in the virtual world face to face and to learn from them and their experience.
The second seminar was a turning point for me. Hosted by JM Toyota (who gave us fantastic goodies, a chance to test drive their new family friendly cars, provided us lunch and a space for our learning seminar), I sat in the room, listening to the Toyota reps being their presentation when something hit me. As they flashed a picture of their child development center and the children working so hard on the adorable hearts that adorned our goodie bags, it struck me: I could have been IN those pictures!
The job I didn’t get (or that I turned down depending on how you look at it) was at the JM Family Center. I had come full-circle, here I was sitting at a seminar about blogging, sponsored by the company that put me in a place where I decided to become a blogger in the first place.
I can’t even begin to describe what I’ve gained from Bloggin’ Mamas because the gains are not measurable. I’ve gained, confidence, direction and drive thanks to the amazing women who are a part of Bloggin’ Mamas.
And now is my chance to give back as Bloggin’ Mamas as they aim to raise $50,000 in just ONE DAY, and today is that day! But the real question is, will you support the development of Beyond Mommying by Supporting Bloggin’ Mamas, too?
#50kIn1Day is the goal! Every $ counts in helping this great organization grow and help many more mommy bloggers just like me! Want to do your part? Check it out!
I made my contribution, how about you? Follow the link above to contribute. Leave a comment with how much you contributed and Beyond Mommying will match every dollar (up to $150)!!!
I donated $25!
Awesome, Trish! With my match that makes $50…Let’s keep the momentum going!
$25 here too, and 1000x Gracias for this. BB2U
Thanks for the donation and all you do for Bloggin’ Mamas, BB!